Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Barry Gane

Second Advisor

Kenley Hall

Third Advisor

Skip Bell

Abstract

The Problem. Can artistic forms and technology be utilized in making the biblical truth appear attractive in that it may attract the postmodern culture to Jesus? Postmodern preachers are cautious when it entails the use of interactive artistic mediums. Numerous Pastors choose to preach safe monologue sermons, resulting in bored congregants when it comes to many ineffectual three-point messages. Preaching isn’t just conveying God’s messages; instead it confronts listeners, in the same way Jesus used parables. God has already used these useful and operative techniques consequently; preachers of his word ought to use comparable effective methods in connecting their audiences to God, finishing the work of the Three Angels Message and the Great Commission.

Method. The diverse examples of art forms to humanity throughout the Bible conveyed by God exposes the preacher to a multitude of mediums, allowing them to move ahead boldly recognizing that art forms and technology are within God’s intention for preaching. Jesus dramatic narratives are not easily forgotten as he communicated the daily drama’s relating to his worldview. The message of redemption and love for the people surrounding him would have been lost without these artistic mediums. Therefore, a variety of technological and artistic mediums were presented to various congregations, including the non-use of artistic mediums to evaluate the effectiveness of art forms and technology by the preacher in preaching to the postmodern audience.

Results. Artistic genres and technological methods in preaching were shown to be more effective in connecting the audience to the sermon (p. 189), compared to the non-use of artistic genres and technology (p. 173). Art necessitates action; it is an instrumental element in how we communicate characterizing who the preacher is. The Bible is of itself art, enticing the reader from one artistic medium to the next, beneficially presenting God's messages.

Conclusions. How should the preacher preach God’s words? Is it through the use of a stringed instrument, poetry or perhaps sculptures, carvings or architecture? Should it be through a song an eloquent speech or stain glass windows? Do we present it through drama, film or multimedia? “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). These artistic expressions involved creative methods in the establishment of the world. “Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food…” (Gen 2:9 NIV). Not only did he make trees that were good for food, but they where pleasing to the eye. God’s messages to the world have included various art forms and natural technology (lightning, etc.) that are effective, powerful and memorable. Technology and artistic mediums have become reality in postmodern society. Without these mediums, preaching is far less effective, and fewer people are reached with God’s message, when these methods of communication cease to exist. Through artistic mediums and technological methods further successful preaching can be accomplished, reaching those in the twenty first century.

Subject Area

Preaching, Art and religion, Christianity and art--Seventh-day Adventists

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/132/

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