Preaching as master's discourse. A Foucauldian interpretation of Lutheran pastoral power: $hJouni Tilli
Michel Foucault acknowledged that the Reformation was a pastoral battle and a reorganization of pastoral power. He did not, however, analyze Protestantism much further. This article broadens the scope of critical research on Protestantism, focusing on Lutheranism. Preaching is a fruitful way to over...
| Published in: | Critical research on religion |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
[2019]
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| In: |
Critical research on religion
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Foucault, Michel 1926-1984
/ Reformation
/ Lutheran Church
/ Priest
/ Sermon
/ Power
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| RelBib Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality KDD Protestant Church RB Church office; congregation RE Homiletics |
| Further subjects: | B
Michel Foucault
B Lutheranism B Preaching B Protestantism B pastoral power |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | Michel Foucault acknowledged that the Reformation was a pastoral battle and a reorganization of pastoral power. He did not, however, analyze Protestantism much further. This article broadens the scope of critical research on Protestantism, focusing on Lutheranism. Preaching is a fruitful way to overcome overemphasis on confession. In this endeavor I apply Foucault's concept of "master's discourse." I argue that while, in Lutheranism, conversion through comprehensive soul-searching is an individual matter, at the same time it relies on technologies aimed at a collective audience, such as preaching. Since preaching is divine speech, the Lutheran priest wields enormous spiritual power: the preacher is the truth-teller and the subject is required to listen to and internalize the proclaimed truth, instead of confessing their sins. |
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| ISSN: | 2050-3040 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Critical research on religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/2050303219848059 |