EVANGELICAL SOCIAL CONCERN: A CASE STUDY IN THE RHETORIC OF LEGITIMIZATION

GERALD STEPHEN MATHISEN, Purdue University

Abstract

The subject of legitimization has been addressed by theorists in several disciplines. Sociologists, political scientists and social psychologists have noted the importance that legitimacy holds for social and political systems which are perceived as legal or normative. Philosophically, it has been argued that any belief system or philosophy also must be legitimized in order to be effective. The study of rhetorical genres provides an opportunity to explore the concept of legitimization as it pertains to the field of rhetoric in general. A rhetorical genre involves a pattern of rhetorical practice. The rhetor who chooses not to conform to that pattern may have to justify or legitimize his deviance from it in order to have his message deemed appropriate. One such rhetorical pattern involves evangelical Christians and their response to social problems. The rhetorical tradition for the first half of this century was one of non-involvement in which evangelicals either spoke out against involving themselves with social reform or avoided the issue. But particularly since the late 1940's, many evangelical Christians have expressed their dissatisfaction with this tradition. Led in the early stages by men such as Carl Henry and more recently by younger spokespersons inspired by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, evangelicalism has been characterized in recent years by an increased sensitivity to social problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze how these socially-concerned evangelicals argued their cause, and, more specifically, how they have sought to legitimize their involvement in social concern, given evangelicalism's rhetorical tradition of non-involvement. An adaptation of Stephen Toulmin's approach to argument was the methodological tool employed in examining forty-two periodical articles authored by thirteen evangelicals. The analysis of claims, evidence and warrants appearing in the articles revealed a number of generic characteristics. The authors displayed deviance in departing from the rhetorical tradition, rationalization in the careful statement of their arguments, cautiousness in their approach to the rhetorical tradition, simplicity in the structuring of their arguments, and realism in their assessment of and response to the rhetorical situation.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Communication

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