The Six Principles of Sacred Elocution
Lessons for Lectors on Speaking Well
Sacred elocution is the art and science of speaking well in the preaching, teaching, and public reading of the Word of God. So how do we practice sacred elocution in public reading? Are there principles to guide us? Indeed there are.
Some variables of sacred elocution are present in general elocution but are always conditioned with this unvarying truth: the Bible governs sacred elocution. The solemnity and ethereal genesis of the sacred text necessarily constrain the speaker, reader, or preacher. This is an “alien voice” that originated in the mind of Almighty God. In this sense, the Bible is a Word from Another World. With that in mind, consider these six variables active in the reading and preaching the Word of the Lord.
Sacred elocution is the art and science of speaking well in the preaching, teaching, and public reading of the Word of God.
1. Voicing (viz., Pronunciation):
The speaker should aim for clear and accurate pronunciation of biblical texts and words. What passes as acceptable in casual pronunciation (to “air” for “err” is historically incorrect; to “ur’ is the way to pronounce “err,” except when erroneous usage becomes convention, but that sends us back to the matter of illiteracy). Difficult Biblical names may have several pronunciations, particularly in the Old Testament. Biblical Hebrew should govern the pronunciation. Yet, one should always keep a general rule in mind: Let nothing in your person, speech, gestures, or attire distract attention from the Word of the Lord. Contextualization allows variance in the application of this principle. But the principle itself stands.
2. Velocity (i.e., Pace):
The speaker should control his speech’s pace to maintain the subject’s solemn and reverent nature. The reader or speaker employs velocity to mark the literary distinctions within the text, ensuring that such distinctions are made without imposing dramatic interpretations.
3. Volume (Proportion, i.e., control of the diaphragm pushing breath to amplify sound or reduce it)
The speaker should adjust the volume of his voice to suit the audience’s size and the space’s acoustics. Volume is not necessary to emphasize a phrase. Velocity and variation (changing the pace or inserting a pause) will delineate a change in the narrative of the text.
4. Value (Presence, i.e., emphasis):
The speaker should use emphasis to draw attention to important words and phrases in the text. Each of the variables of sacred elocution is interrelated and dependent on the other. For instance, value applied to a voice in the text can be achieved by variation.
5. Variation (e.g., pauses):
Variation includes (1) Pause. The speaker should use pauses to allow the audience to reflect on the message. Variation also concerns (2) Inflection: The speaker should use appropriate inflection to convey the meaning and emotion of the text.
6. Vectors (or, Particulars: coordinates that will influence the reading, e.g., posture, occasion, congregation, influencing factors like national emergencies, holidays, and the liturgical calendar):
The Reader or Preacher will take note of the vectors that influence the reading and reception of the Word of the Lord. For instance, reading on Christmas Eve, preaching at a graveside service of the death of a young person, or reading a Gospel selection on the First Sunday of Advent are all vectors to be considered in preparing to speak.
These six principles are meant to help speakers deliver the Word of the Lord in a way that conveys reverence and respect due to the divine subject and with the confidence of its innate power:
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).