Part 1: Language in a Cultural Context Written Task Sermon Alexander McPike

Transcription

1 Part 1: Language in a Cultural Context Written Task Sermon Alexander McPike Learning Outcomes Topic(s) or Text(s) Course Section Text Type of Task Title of Task Evaluate the sermons role in converting indigenous societies to Christianity. The conversion of indigenous tribes in central South America to Christianity. Part 1 Sermon A New Light Evaluate the influence that the audience has on the content of a sermon. Demonstrate an awareness of rhetorics role in a 18 th century sermon.

2 Rationale Few text types offer as candid a reflection of the time period they were written in than a religious address. For that reason I have chosen to write a topical sermon from the viewpoint of a Jesuit missionary for the Language in a Cultural Context section of my IBLL course. The text type was chosen because topical sermons unlike other forms of sermon viz. expository and textual it allows the preacher to focus on an issue faced by the local community rather than one from the bible. In this case the preacher is attempting to convert the members of an indigenous tribe in northern Argentina to christianity. Two key elements of the text will be the use of descriptive and rhetorical language, as well as an imitation of time period anti-native european prejudice. I attempted to demonstrate my understanding of these by imitating the language found in other time period sermons, electing subject matter the audience could empathize with, and structuring the sermon in a manner that keeps the audience engaged. A transcript of the sermon instead of the priests outline will as received by the congregation will be provided as opposed to the priests outline, consequently it will not follow either the conventions of a sermon (e.g. Introduction of topic, major and supporting points, conclusion, and call to action) or that of a public appeal (e.g. Opening statement, introduction of appeal, chronological recounting of events, arguments for change, conclusion and reiterating of key points, closing statement) exactly. It will however draw on structural elements from both as no formal format exists. After reviewing my work and the learning outcomes for the topic I believe that I have succeeded in answering any earlier questions throughout the written task, and overcome any obstacles that may have presented themselves.

3 Sermon Were it not for the mind of man, the earthly domain of god would have no limits. Were it not for the mind of man which ascribes to heaven those miracles which naught but its own temperance and charity are responsible for, strife would be but a memory. So temper tossed by wrath, lust, and envy, are our minds that we sacrifice virtue in pursuit of wealth. So vulnerable to gluttony, sloth, and pride are our minds that their invisible architecture can hold the soul back from finding absolution in the word of god. Words which when spoken speak to a primal version of ourselves, that dark side of human nature that brought the stone down upon Ables head, words which when spoken offer not vengeance but forgiveness. There exists a body of darkness in this jungle... I have sensed its presence... I have felt its eyes watching me in the late hours when none are around. I have heard the beat of wings so large the ground trembles at their approach. I have heard the sound of claws tearing through the jungle at a tremendous pace. I have heard the roar of a lion so loud that birds took to the sky in terror. And there is that terrible smell a fetor that sinks into every nook and cranny buries itself under every rotting log and fixes itself to every unbaptized heathen soul. The light of god does not shine on down upon this jungle, and its inhabitants are as damned as the fallen! I implore you listen to my words, void yourself of pride, and find absolution in the word of god. This primordial eden which we find ourselves in is much more than a jungle. It is a battleground between the forces of light and darkness. It is a land fit only for the highest seraphs of heaven filled with beasts from the deepest circles of hell. It is only through faith, temperance, humility, and love for your fellow man that the forces of god will succeed. No one need be subject to the burden of a soul full of sin For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

4 Romans 6:23. I implore you steel your minds against the whispers of Mammon! Steel your minds against Satans rhetoric! Your actions have proven that your souls are not yet lost. You took me in though you knew not whence I came and cared for me without promise of later tribute. In return for your charity I have but one suitable reward... A war baptism, a trial of fire which once completed will free you from the weights which drag you to hell with such force. It would do you no good were I to lie; Therefore I have no difficulty saying the road ahead is far from easy, and that along the way you will face joy and despair unlike you have ever known before. You will come to trust in divine providence and see gods artistry in the world around you. However were the road to sin not paved with good intentions the perils of your coming campaign would be shed tenfold. Sin is deceptive, and to refrain from partaking in sin one must be both mindful, and motivated. For the avoidance of sin is no single hurdle that one jumps, instead it is the race we run over the course of our lives. Every other goal, personal pursuit or interest will in some small way prove an obstacle to this mission. It must be our mission every morning when we wake, and our last thought before we sleep. At no point is there a hiatus from following the word. There are no furloughs, nor are there any vacations, or sabbaticals! Despite living in the coldest, darkest, and most forsaken pit in hell Lucifer takes no breaks. However the lord is all forgiving, for when he bound himself to flesh and blood in the form of his son, our savior, Jesus Christ he taught us a lesson. He showed us that man was more than a grain of sand in the deserts of Arabia, being pushed about by winds he cannot control. I implore you look to your idols, to he who sits on your throne, and consider when the last time was he sacrificed himself so that you may live with the possibility of entering heaven. So all of those without the providence of god in their hearts hearken to my words for salvation is near. Hearken to my words so that we may say that in this year of our lord 1712 that we stood together against Satans legions. That we stood armed

5 with the words of god and shielded by souls free of sin. That those seeking naught but worldly gain were left hanging over the pits of tartarus reaping the rewards of their sin. For all that is between us and a utopia the likes of which we ascribe to heaven is the human mind. Many a day and night I have spent alone, wandering this jungle you call home. I have come to realize its bounds extend farther than those of the Holy Roman Empire itself. I know that in the struggle we may seem a drop of water in the Iguazu falls, but worry not for as the Psalm goes I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Bibliography 1. Loyola, Ignatius. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. US Archives. Vatican, n.d. Web. 20 Apr < a loyouoft/a loyouoft.pdf>. 2. Sawyer, Vincent. ""What Are The Different Types Of Sermons?"" Study Gods Word. N.p., Web. 21 Apr < homiletics/08.html>.

6 3. BibleGateway.com. Bible Gateway, n.d. Web. 28 Apr < Hamre, Bonnie. "Jesuit Missions F South America." South America Travel. About.com, Web. 19 Apr < history/a/jesuitmissions.htm>.