Relevance of Chrysostom’s Rhetoric: The Use of Emotions in 'The Commentary on Psalms'

Abstract

This paper aims to show the enduring novelty of St. John Chrysostom's rhetorical style by highlighting the predominance of the pathos strategy – or appeal to emotion – in his preaching and, particularly, with his direct interpellation of listeners, the use of rhetorical questioning and the art of storytelling, a resource that is frequently used in persuasive activity today. The first section provides context for Chrysostom's work and his skilful use of ethos, logos and pathos. It then reviews the text of his most famous homilies on the Old Testament: his commentary on the Psalter. The methodology used is content analysis, employing the qualitative analysis programme MAXQDA. The results show a sermon in which the rhetorical strategy of pathos predominates as a means of reaching the hearts of his audience and thus moving them to practise Christian life. It concludes that the current lines of persuasive rhetoric can be recognised in the rhetorical style of this Father of the Church, emphasising the enduring relevance of his style as a guideline for preaching throughout the ages.