Richard Cox's Preaching: Chapter Analysis

In chapter one, Richard Cox laid the foundation of his argument that acquiring an understanding of how the brain processes information will benefit preachers in sermon construction. According to Cox, “The results of preaching are dependent on the worshiper’s neural (brain) ability to pay attention, integrate current thought with experiences and knowledge, and utilize memory” (Cox 2012, 23). The process of learning goes hand in hand with the preaching and neural ability of worshippers. In other words, “Preaching must build on past knowledge by bringing that knowledge into the present, coupling it with new information, and making it meaningful for our future need before we need it” (25). At the end of the chapter, Cox submitted the fact that the way the brain works in
According to Cox, “Preaching allows the brain to rethink, reorganize, reconnect and reconstruct itself” (71), all of this occurs along the neuropathways. In the end, the brain “retrains” itself. He noted that all aspects of a worship service lead up to the preaching of the Word: “The message is more than the sermon; preaching is more than the sermon; The sermon is found in the hymns, the prayers, the Scripture readings and the spoken word” (73). With this in mind, preaching must be given prominence! Cox added that preaching must include application. “Sermons that do not apply to the lives of the worshipers are objectified” (74). According to Cox, preachers, vying for listener’s attention, must preach the “immediate gratification of peace with God” (76). Chapter six discussed how preaching provides the brain energy. Cox argued, “Preaching needs to be perceived, understood, practiced and appreciated for being holy energy” (80). This energy, Cox suggested, is the Holy Spirit. He gave several examples of preaching and its ability to move the brain to action. Concluding, “Preaching is dynamic and moves an audience”