Sacred Rhetoric Analysis
• The importance of conclusion cannot be ignored and it is one of the most important part of the sacred rhetoric. Just as a rhetoric without introduction is unskillful way of starting an argument, thus, likely to lose audience, the sacred rhetoric without conclusion will be awkward and incomplete. The purpose of all rhetoric is to produce a practical determination of the hearer’s will. The purpose of conclusion is to bind all heads of the discussion together and combine their strength, thus, to draw hearer’s irresistible conviction for their duty. Conclusion, henceforth, evinces the unity of the discourse.
• There are five kinds of conclusion in a sermon.
1. Introducing more general truth under which the proposition of the sermon is comprehended. …show more content…
Eg. Special Providence of God-> (Main argumet) Special providence of God defined and demonstrated-> (Conclusion) Denial of providence is an atheism.
2. Introducing a single idea that bears all the heads of the sermon as representative epitome or …show more content…
However, it can also be directed to specific people as well. This task is effective in a sense that the truth will have more direct contact with the soul of its listeners.
• All of these conclusions can be combined too. However, most important truth about peroration (conclusion) is that it must excel in persuasion, meaning appealing directly at the hearts of people. Christian peroration painted with persuasion is unlike secular rhetoric, where people paint themselves with pathos to persuade people. However, Christian persuasion can only be done rightly and powerfully through the infusion of unction and the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit in preacher’s heart. Thus, Dabney claims, “You are thus led again to that great, ever-recurring deduction, the first qualification of the sacred orator, the grace of Christ (176).”
• Dabney claims that the most important maxim for the peroration is Ne Nimis, meaning restricting the length of conclusion and to know when to stop. Its objective is to place the truth which has been explained or proved in contact with the heart and conscience. If people’s emotion is awaken (as it is the purpose of conclusion), then preacher should dismiss them so that they can meditate upon the truth by themselves. This is when we should
• There are five kinds of conclusion in a sermon.
1. Introducing more general truth under which the proposition of the sermon is comprehended. …show more content…
Eg. Special Providence of God-> (Main argumet) Special providence of God defined and demonstrated-> (Conclusion) Denial of providence is an atheism.
2. Introducing a single idea that bears all the heads of the sermon as representative epitome or …show more content…
However, it can also be directed to specific people as well. This task is effective in a sense that the truth will have more direct contact with the soul of its listeners.
• All of these conclusions can be combined too. However, most important truth about peroration (conclusion) is that it must excel in persuasion, meaning appealing directly at the hearts of people. Christian peroration painted with persuasion is unlike secular rhetoric, where people paint themselves with pathos to persuade people. However, Christian persuasion can only be done rightly and powerfully through the infusion of unction and the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit in preacher’s heart. Thus, Dabney claims, “You are thus led again to that great, ever-recurring deduction, the first qualification of the sacred orator, the grace of Christ (176).”
• Dabney claims that the most important maxim for the peroration is Ne Nimis, meaning restricting the length of conclusion and to know when to stop. Its objective is to place the truth which has been explained or proved in contact with the heart and conscience. If people’s emotion is awaken (as it is the purpose of conclusion), then preacher should dismiss them so that they can meditate upon the truth by themselves. This is when we should