Preaching as master's discourse. A Foucauldian interpretation of Lutheran pastoral power. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tilli, Jouni
• Is Part Of: Critical research on religion. Volume 7:Number 2(2019:Aug.)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Pastoral power -- Michel Foucault -- Lutheranism -- Protestantism -- preaching; Religion -- Periodicals; Religion -- Research -- Periodicals; Religion and sociology -- Periodicals; Religion and politics -- Periodicals; 200.5
• DOI: 10.1177/2050303219848059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-3032

Abstract

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.