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Abstract

Whenever our listeners think about their interactions with God, they will think using the tools we give them.  What we truly think shapes our decisions and our behavior.  Over the last two decades, cognitive scientists have developed a strong body of research to argue that whenever we think about abstract concepts, such as Spiritual growth, we use metaphors to think with.  And while metaphors enable us to think about abstractions; they also shape our thinking about those abstractions.

Evangelical preachers, by and large, give their listeners performance-based metaphors for thinking about their interactions with God.  Sermon applications typically emphasize “Steps to attain X” – where “X” is the goal for that particular sermon.  This activates a ladder or staircase metaphor in their listeners’ thinking – a metaphor that emphasizes effort.  Alternatively, preachers speak of our interaction with God as a relationship – without realizing that most North Americans think about “relationship” with metaphors that emphasize performance.  These metaphors shape our listeners’ true thinking in ways that hinder their Spiritual growth.

Jesus’ metaphors, on the other hand, emphasize relying on God.  Drawing from agriculture, household, and politics, He shaped His listeners’ thinking in ways that enabled them to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in them.

By understanding how metaphors work, how metaphors shape our thinking, and Jesus’ metaphors, Evangelical preachers can develop sermon applications that will assist, rather than hinder, their listener’s Spiritual growth.