Trisfant, Johannis (2026) The Characteristics of Martyn Lloyd-Jones's Logic of Preaching and its relevance for persuasive preaching : an analysis of selected sermons on Romans using Toulmin's and Perelman's models. Doctoral thesis.
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2026 Trisfant, J._MLJ logic preaching Final Johannis_diss.pdf - Accepted Version Download (3MB) |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral thesis) |
|---|---|
| Titel: | The Characteristics of Martyn Lloyd-Jones's Logic of Preaching and its relevance for persuasive preaching : an analysis of selected sermons on Romans using Toulmin's and Perelman's models. |
| Samenvatting (EN): | This dissertation examines the characteristics of Martyn Lloyd-Jones's logic of preaching as revealed through the argumentative forms and functions in his sermons and explores their implications for contemporary persuasive preaching. Although Lloyd-Jones's preaching has been widely studied, no previous research has systematically analyzed the logical structure of his sermons using a dual analytical framework. This study addresses that gap by applying two complementary models from argumentation theory: Stephen Toulmin's model of argumentation, which identifies the functional structure of arguments, and Chaïm Perelman's New Rhetoric, which examines the rhetorical forms through which arguments gain the adherence of an audience. The study employs a qualitative descriptive content analysis of sixteen sermon transcripts drawn from Lloyd-Jones's series on the Epistle to the Romans, supplemented by two sermons from the Psalms and two from Acts. The sermons were selected to represent early, middle, and later phases of his ministry, as well as different biblical genres. Transcripts were obtained from audio recordings via the MLJ Trust and analyzed using Atlas.ti (Version 24.2.0) across four phases. The Toulmin analysis reveals that Lloyd-Jones's sermons consistently exhibit all six argumentative elements—Data, Claim, Warrant, Backing, Qualifier, and Rebuttal—in a highly structured pattern. Each sermon is built around a single explicitly stated Claim grounded in verifiable biblical Data, supported by an explicit Warrant, extensively reinforced by multi-layered Backing drawn from Scripture, church tradition, and human experience, and delivered with "more sure" Qualifiers that express absolute theological conviction. Frequent and detailed Rebuttals proactively dismantle anticipated objections,giving his preaching both a polemical and apologetic character.The Perelman analysis identifies a consistent rhetorical core—Authority, Definition, Causal Argumentation, Comparison, and Incompatibility—that appears across all phases. As his sermons move from the doctrinal genre of Romans to the poetic and narrative genres of the Psalms and Acts in the verification phase, Lloyd-Jones strategically increases his use of The Symbolic Relation, Illustration, Example, Dissociative Techniques, and Antimodel, demonstrating significant rhetorical flexibility without compromising his logical core. The synthesis of these findings reveals three defining characteristics of Lloyd-Jones's Logic of Preaching: uncompromising theological clarity rooted in a biblically grounded "theo-logic," rigorous intellectual construction demonstrated through the consistent Toulmin structure, and flexible rhetorical engagement through Perelman's forms. This "logic on fire" provides a powerful model for contemporary persuasive preaching that ethically engages the whole human being—mind, heart, and will—through the clear, logical, and passionate proclamation of biblical truth. |
| Number of Pages: | 411 |
| Theologische Universiteit: | Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn |
| Trefwoorden (EN): | Martyn Lloyd-Jones, logic of preaching, persuasive preaching, Toulmin's model of argumentation, Perelman's New Rhetoric, homiletics, expository preaching, rhetoric. |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Jul 2026 12:39 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Jul 2026 12:39 |
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