Beyond Distortion: Exploration of a new homiletical method by focusing on ‘grief’ to overcome politically fraught times

This paper will examine the limits and distortions of how preachers deal with political tensions and division circumstances in preaching, particularly in matters related to rising right-wing extremism and Christian nationalism in the South Korean context, and suggest a new homiletical method and direction to respond to the challenges and desire of justice, truth, reconciliation, and freedom. I am exploring the rise of right-wing extremism Christianity and its political entanglement in the process of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration and failure of martial law (December 3, 2024), the subsequent impeachment proceedings against him, and the formation of extremist right-wing forces seeking to obstruct these proceedings. I also seek to examine how South Korean church preachers have responded to the politically fraught times through their sermons, analyzing the theological limitations and contradictions within their sermon messages and structures. Furthermore, I aim to propose a new concrete methodological approach to guide the theological and practical direction that sermons should pursue in situations of political struggles. 

I’m first exploring to analyze the current political tensions, polarized conflicts, and suffering that South Korea is experiencing, focusing on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, its failure, and the resulting political turmoil. Additionally, I seek to trace the process of political conservatives consolidating as a backlash to the president’s downfall and the formation and alliance of extremist right-wing Christian forces. To do so, I will examine the sermons of pastors who form the core of this right-wing Christian movement, diagnosing their theological arguments, structural characteristics, and inherent limitations. Furthermore, by analyzing the sermons of influential mainstream church preachers, I will explore how they theologically and structurally respond to the current crisis and evaluate the implications and limitations of their theological stance. 

As an analytical framework for this study, I will draw upon Theodor W. Adorno’s critical theory on culture and society, especially reviewing his book The Psychological Technique of Martin Luther Thomas’ Radio Addresses, using his works as a reference to examine the political implications embedded in the structural form of sermons and their theological significance. Through this approach, I will diagnose the structural limitations inherent in these sermons. Specifically, I will identify and expose the phenomenon in sermon composition and proclamation that involves the intentional neglect of truth, freedom, and justice-manifesting in forms of separation, omission, and hypocritical practices, and how such tendencies are reproduced and perpetuated.

Building upon the preceding analysis, I seek to move beyond the current understanding of the purpose and function of preaching, as well as the structural limitations inherent in sermon composition. In response to the politically fraught times we face today, I intend to propose a new form and structure of preaching as a dimension of ethical practice. I will present grief as a potential space and point of contact through which the political divisions, conflicts, and distortions of our time can be confronted, restored, and reconciled. 

Before social injustices, oppression, despair, and suffering are reduced to mere instruments of political conflict-distorted and exploited for ideological purposes-it is necessary to recognize, name, proclaim, and wrestle with these tragic realities as a shared grief that belongs to all. By practicing this role and responsibility, preaching can be a measure to resist the formation of the evil political structures that serve as the foundation and driving force of social conflict today.   

A sermon that responds to the political tragedies of our time by focusing on grief seeks a new direction beyond the traditional dialectical framework of preaching, both in thought and practice. Drawing from a modified dialectical approach, referred to T.W. Adorno’s concept of negative dialectics, a sermon centered on grief redefines the political conflicts, losses, and divisions of our time as grief itself-a shared sorrow and collective tragedy. It brings the realities to disclose, giving voice to lament, wrestling with suffering, and expressing the wounds of the age. 

However, the comfort found in mourning, the realization of justice, and the arrival of true freedom can be achieved only from the work of the Holy Spirit, who is present in the moment of preaching. Therefore, the preacher’s role is to create a space of grief within the sermon. A space where the Holy Spirit works. In doing so, the preacher invites all into the Holy Spirit’s free and sovereign movement and voice, where lament and hope coexist, and where the sorrow of the time is met with divine presence.