Linguistic Moods & Preaching - Introduction

Whilst training for ordained ministry I completed a Master’s Degree in theology, and my dissertation was on preaching, therefore it makes sense for me to write about some of the things I have learnt - hence this new series on linguistic moods and preaching. I hope that it will be useful for you, and help you to see preaching through a different lens. 

For this series I am indebted to David Ford's insightful chapter in his book The Future of Christian Theology entitled 'Desire Above All'.

 

In the chapter, Ford writes about how each of the major moods within language are used in scripture and theology and how this impacts the message that the original writers were attempting to convey (it is worth reading the chapter if you find time).

 

As someone deeply interested in preaching practice it got me thinking about how preachers tend to use moods when preaching and how this impacts their message; after all, preaching is theology done out loud. For this series, then, I intend to look at how a preacher’s use of moods will convey different realities and senses to their hearers; and ultimately to look at how preaching which utilises all of the moods in a measured way can enhance preaching practice.

 

Before we begin let us look briefly at what these moods are:

Indicative - explains or describes something, often used in the form of narrative.

Imperative - telling what to do; think of an instruction manual or an army sergeant.

Interrogative - questioning; think of a child trying to make sense of something by asking questions, or of a detective trying to get to the bottom of a crime.

Subjunctive - the mood of possibility; speaking in the hypothetical or of hindsight.

Optative - wish or hope; Ford calls it the mood of desire.

 

My plan is to look at each of these moods one by one starting next week with the indicative. Be blessed.


Photo by Ilyass SEDDOUG on Unsplash

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