Lifting Eyes and Awakening Hearts: Augustine and the Essential Work of Preaching to Stir and Stimulate Joy

Abstract

The current pandemic period has raised the question of which vocations constitute as “essential work”. While there are many important and critical ones, the following essay argues that pastors have the unique and essential privilege of preaching to stir and stimulate Christian joy. Firstly, I propose this by examining Augustine’s matter of preaching - specifically, his theology of joy in his sermon on Psalm 95, with reference to his understanding of the bifurcation of joy and his proposed four reasons for joy. Secondly, I examine Augustine’s manner of preaching, which understood rightly, inspires preachers today to engage in the work of lifting eyes and awakening hearts through the work of preaching.