The Science of Preaching

Dear Colleagues,

Many perspectives exist as to what constitutes a compelling sermon or homily; these perspectives are largely supported by anecdotal information. However, there is little to no empirical scientific data demonstrating the impact of preaching on listeners. How does preaching affect the listener in changing feelings or goals or understanding? There is little if any credible data that could contribute to improving the impact of preaching for individual preachers or for those who teach preaching. To fill these knowledge gaps in an original and useful way, we invite researchers—especially those with expertise in psychology, neuroscience, communication theory, sociology, anthropology, and related fields—as well as specialists in preaching committed to dialogue with the sciences to contribute their knowledge and expertise.

This Special Issue has evolved from a collaboration between preachers and theologians at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and scientists associated with the Attention, Perception and Experience [APEX] lab at the University of Chicago, supported by funding from the Lilly Endowment [https://preachingandneuroscience.com/]. Employing surveys, video reviews, and a variety of neurophysiological experiments, we believe that there is value in demonstrating that preaching can be studied scientifically, and that such scientific study may be informative to a theological or pastoral approach to preaching and can even be complimentary and highly contributory. We are excited to invite scientists, theologians and preachers—especially those committed to interdisciplinary collaboration—to join us in this largely unexplored arena.

From a meta-level perspective, the proposed Issue aims to help bridge the gap between the practices of ministry in organized religion and the sciences. Admittedly, that is an enormous goal that cannot be achieved in a single Issue and thus requires a more refined focus. Consequently, within this larger framework of a scientific–religious dialogue, the attention to preaching serves as a potent case study and highly promising launch point for furthering the respect between the empirical sciences and ministerial practice. Preaching is a quite common activity across many religions, even though it varies greatly in form, frequency, and importance—perhaps also in goals. In certain religions, such as Christianity, it is absolutely central. Thus, exploring this homiletic event from the viewpoint of the empirical sciences is critical for both enhancing the practice of preaching and opening a wider door to respectful dialogue between the practices of ministry more broadly and the empirical sciences.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles, critical theological reflections on the role of the sciences in preaching, reviews of literature on the topic, and thoughtful proposals about the need for research at the intersection of preaching and the empirical sciences. Preaching is an intentional communicative act which is shaped by culture and social institutions, as well as the goals of a preacher and specific knowledge and preaching skills. All of these influences on preaching can be seen in other domains of communication, and some of those domains have been studied using the research methods of the social sciences, including psychology and anthropology, neuroscience, and linguistics. For the proposed Special Issue, research areas may include (but arenot limited to) the following:

• Preaching and neuroscience;
• Preaching and psychology;
• Acceptance/resistance to exploring the possible benefits of empirical studies among those who teach preaching;
• Evidence-based directions for more effective preaching;
• The intersection of narrative research and preaching;
• Review articles concerning definitions of effective preaching across cultural/contextual/religious traditions;
• Critical reflections on the similarities and differences between preaching and persuasion;
• Data-based criteria for evaluating the effectiveness/impact of preaching.

One goal we have for this Special Issue is to increase the understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in a mutually respectful way between the practices of ministry and empirical sciences. More specifically, we hope that this Issue will spur collaborative work between theologians and scientists, especially between preachers and those working in cognitive sciences and related fields. This dialogue seems essential if those researching and teaching in the theological/ministerial disciplines are to remain relevant and credible in the 21st century.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, Edward Foley (foley@ctu.edu), or to the Assistant Editor of Religions, Ms. Jaya Liu (jaya.liu@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Edward Foley
Prof. Dr. Howard C. Nusbaum
Dr. Michael Spezio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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