Seeing and Showing the Unseen

In this remarkable book, Adam Szumorek proposes that conceptual metaphor theory can be used to good effect in preaching. He convincingly argues that the understanding of the word of God invitesreliance on conceptual metaphors, since the process of God’s revelation unfolds through embodied (metaphorical) images, a major focus of attention by cognitive linguists. But in a clear-headed way, he also points out that cognitive linguistics cannot and should not be viewed as the only and ultimate tool ofbiblical hermeneutics.

Zoltán Kövecses, PhD
Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

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The perennial challenge facing preachers is how to communicate what Scripture says in such a way as to allow listeners to enter the world of the text and come away with not just more information, but with their view of the world transformed and their lives shaped by the gospel. Adam Szumorek addresses this by making use of conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) within cognitive linguistics. He not only connects CMT with key issues in hermeneutics but goes on to show how, in practice, this can be used to open up Scripture in powerful and effective ways.

Ian Paul, PhD
Adjunct Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary, California, USA
Associate Minister, St. Nicholas Church, Nottingham, UK

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Dr. Szumorek provides a thoughtful and helpful roadmap for us to more holistically communicate God’s word to God’s world. He does this by helping us better understand how we conceptualize ideas in order to understand biblical metaphors and communicate them in ways that speak more effectively to theminds, emotions, and imaginations of ourselves and others. His book is well researched, insightful, and practical. Get your copy soon!

Tony Twist, PhD
President & Chief Executive Officer,
TCM International Institute

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The question of how to understand the rich variety of imagery in the Bible and communicate it in meaningful ways today is a vital one for Christian preachers and teachers. In this book, Adam Szumorek draws on his expertise in the field of cognitive linguistics and his experience as a preacher and teacher ofpreaching to offer a carefully grounded theoretical basis for this process, leading to detailed practical suggestions.

Stephen Wright, PhD
Formerly Vice Principal and Academic Director,
Spurgeon’s College, UK

1. List of Diagrams
2. Introduction
1. 1. Interdisciplinary Character
2. 2. Cognitive Linguistic Perspective and Its Challenges
3. 3. Main Research Question
4. 4. State of Research
5. 5. Applying Cognitive Linguistics to Preaching
6. 6. Research Objectives
7. 7. Book Overview
8. 8. Novelty of the Research
9. 9. Limitations of the Research
3. Chapter 1 The Theological Framework for Utilizing Cognitive Linguistics in Preaching
1. 1.1 Revelation of the Unseen God: The Image-Maker as the Context for Utilizing Cognitive Linguistics and as the Foundation for Preaching Metaphors and Images
2. 1.2 Implications of God’s Revelation for Developing a Theological Framework for Showing the Unseen by Using Metaphors and Images in Preaching
3. 1.3 Chapter Summary
4. Chapter 2 Attempts to See the Unseen: Different Views on Metaphor and Conceptual Metaphor Theory
1. 2.1 Understanding Developments of Metaphor Theory
2. 2.2 Understanding Basic Assumptions of Cognitive Linguistics and Conceptual Metaphor Theory
3. 2.3 Chapter Summary
5. Chapter 3 New Ways of Seeing the Unseen: Understanding the Key Elements of Cognitive Linguistics and Applying Them to the Interpretation of Biblical Texts
1. 3.1 Model of the Conceptual World
2. 3.2 Categories, Prototypes, and Frames
3. 3.3 The Structure of Metaphor
4. 3.4 Chapter Summary
6. Chapter 4 Sharpening the Vision: Applying Cognitive Linguistics to Hermeneutics
1. 4.1 Cognitive Linguistics on the Author, the Text, and the Reader
2. 4.2 Metaphors as a Part of Discourse
3. 4.3 Summary of Methodology of Biblical Metaphor Analysis
4. 4.4 Chapter Summary
7. Chapter 5 Showing the Unseen: Cognitive Linguistics and Preaching Metaphors and Images
1. 5.1 Preaching and Imagination: Connecting the World of the Bible and the World of the Listeners
2. 5.2 Cognitive Linguistics and Preaching Biblical Texts, Images, and Metaphors
3. 5.3 Chapter Summary
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography