By Gregory K. Hollifield
Other passages prove adept at hiding their feelings. In these one may need to pay close attention to the historical context of the passage. Louis Berkhof classified psychological interpretation as a sub-division of the historical. 14
Ronald J. Allen maintained that interpretation may be "heightened" and the "full force of a text" might be communicated if the hearers understand the situation of the text. 15 He suggested that among other questions the preacher might ask, "What would it feel like to be in that situation?" Is it important for the congregation to experience the atmosphere of the situation in order to appreciate the full force of the text? What does one see, hear, smell, touch, and taste in the text? 16 Vivid descriptions may then assist the preacher in creating these impressions. 17
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Literary Genre
Literary criticism may illumine the emotional element in other biblical texts. 18 As in art, the form in which a thought is cast often reveals the attitude of the originator. 19
To identify the form of a text influences how one listens to it and leads to a greater appreciation for its content. For example, a funeral dirge causes the hearer to receive the content differently than a heroic narrative. 20
Character Development
Characters identified within the biblical text provide another potential source of emotional insight. These three-dimensional persons with mind, emotions, and will, often invite the reader to feel their pain and experience their joy. When the inspired writer gives details to indicate the emotional state of a character, the preacher should take advantage. These details may well be the way that the writer chose to lead his audience to identify with the character. 21
To identify with every character in a text then preach messages from the same passage on every point-of-view therein opens the door too widely for subjectivity. Authorial intent deserves greater respect. At the same time, the preacher would do well to guard against identifying with the hero or victim in every passage. Humility produced by a sincere understanding of personal depravity demands that the hearer also see himself occasionally as the villain and victimizer. David did not fully grasp the significance of the parable that Nathan shared about the stolen sheep until he identified with the thief. 22
Aristotelian Contributions
Generally, Aristotle's insights on the role of pathos in oratory help the preacher by reminding him that the judgments of people are not entirely rational by nature. Emotions play a role in their formation. Both the inspired writers and their original audiences had feelings about whatever issue or situation the biblical text addressed. Those feelings created an atmosphere within which the writer wrote and the audience received.