Preaching the Ecclesiological Gospel Amidst a Syndemic Context
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsI find this article incredibly compelling, especially as it builds on some of my own work on ecclesiology in light of Covid. The author presents a thorough precis of the argument in the introduction, focusing on the continuing fallout of the Covid pandemic (now syndemic).
The essay then moves to a description of what a syndemic is and why it should not be applied to our global situation. This is a new turn in literature focusing on religion and Covid, a needed turn as we come to terms with the perpetual nature of Covid and its continued impact. This allows space for conversations to continue without the need to relay the foundation each time someone wades into these waters.
I appreciated both the imagery and inclusion of "The Gospel Pharmaceutical" section, as it reminds the reader of the problem of a therapeutic gospel in the face of significant existential concern. Although the review of Fosdick adds nothing new to the estimation of his influence, it centers the author's idea of the Gospel as a holistic essence. This is furthered by the discussion on the nature of the Gospel, an understanding that is heavily influenced by Farley's paradigmatic work.
The section on praxis (section 4) begins to draw the article to a practical close. I deeply appreciated the focus on the liturgical elements of baptism and eucharistic and how they provide the contextualization necessary for preaching to do its work. My only concern in the article is with the "Sacramentality" section (4.2) -- not necessarily in its content, as the focus on Hilkert's work makes sense here. My concern is whether this section is developed as fully as it could be.
Otherwise, I think this is an excellent article that continues the conversation in both a logical and productive manner.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageOverall, good use of English. The opening phrase of the abstract (line 4) is difficult to understand, however.
Also, in line 205, replace the Ibid with Graves and Resner, as in line 209.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
I am deeply appreciative of your comments and feedback on my humble work.
I argee with your comments on sacramentality, which part I am currently delve into find how the sacramentality of word can be apply to preaching practice. To highlight what does sacramentality of word, I include another part '4. An Example: Preaching in Puerto Rican Churches.
Also, as you mention, I rewrote 4 sentence on the abstract.
Again, thank you so much for your insightful feedback.
Overall, good use of English. The opening phrase of the abstract (line 4) is difficult to understand, however.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsLet me first review the content of your paper.
During the COVID, it was noticed that “there were much higher infection and death rates in disproportionately black, indigenous, and other people of color communities.” Merrill Singer studying HIV had called this situation “syndemic.”
Since the Church must reach out to the poor, we must “ponder deeply the meaning of the Gospel for people living in a syndemic world.”
Theoretical answer: “the good news must be revisited and highlighted in preaching for the people in fear, desperation, and hopelessness.” This is general. How will you do it?
Practical-theoretical answer: “Preaching is a praxis of the ecclesiological Gospel because it consists of the Church that serves the world.” Hence the three dimensions:
-Contextuality: “ecclesiological Gospel leads people to join a baptismal community of healing and regeneration.” But this is general, not contextual to syndemic situations.
-Sacramentality: “sacramental imagination considers human experiences and history as the locus where God’s salvific grace manifests itself.” This is general and true for all times and all places.
- Communality: “ecclesiological Gospel considers margins as the center of preaching…. God is the center to those who seek marginality, because the real center is the creative core, the margin of marginality.” The “margin of marginality” has little to do with community.
In short, you “pondered deeply the meaning of the Gospel” —putting old concepts into new language —for “a syndemic word” in general—but not for any social context in particular.
My critique is that your paper lacks contextual knowledge.
1. Syndemic situations existed at all times, in the Roman Empire when the rich fled the cities during epidemics and left the poor die alone, during 19th century capitalism when ill health and petty crimes were endemic in the working class, and among the poor of today in the Global South.
2. The churches have always endeavored to preach the gospel to the syndemic poor through charity work, education. and health care. More particularly: the Social Gospel Movement in the US before WWI, and Liberation theology in Latin America and most poor countries.
3. Although you show interest in the idea of preaching to the syndemic poor, your paper shows no knowledge and experience for any syndemic situation in the US or abroad. It seems that you preach to preachers what to do based on your intellectual preferences, not experience or any specific church doctrine.
To make your proposal contextual, you should first select a syndemic situation you are familiar with (e.g. blacks or Latinos of a given location), inquire about what the pastors preach there, and finally, make proposals adapted to their situation and needs.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
I am deeply appreciative of your close reading and insightful comments on my humble work.
I agree with you that my article lacks contextual knowledge.
Writing my first draft, I was too much focus on the them both syndemic and margin. Though my intention was to make contextual relevance yet, the article became intellectual and abstract.
Within limited time, I found an example from a Puerto Rican churches. Which is written in the book Centering Hope as a Sustainable Decolonial Practice: Esperenza en Práctica by Yara González-Justiniano. I hope this part might provide a contextual sense with my article.
Again, I appreciate your thoughtful words and comments.
Gratefully
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsI congratulate the Author on the choice of the research problem of his study. Preaching in any historical and cultural context is a great challenge for pastors. Preaching that does not reach the minds and hearts of the listeners is boring and ineffective. Preaching that deals with the temporal affairs of this world and does not direct listeners to strengthen a living relationship with God does not lead to its most important goal, which is the salvation and eternal life of the listeners (as well as the preacher himself).
The novelty of the article sent for review lies in the very apt linking of the situation of "syndemia" with the main goals of preaching the Gospel. The definition of the term "syndemia" deserves a positive assessment. After all, one must reckon with the fact that this concept may be poorly known especially among readers of articles on practical theology. In my opinion, also the term "ecclesiological Gospel" has been correctly defined. I believe that the article is novel and revealing enough to be suitable for publication.
One criticism concerns the methodology used. It could be better described in the abstract and in the introduction to the article.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
I am deeply appreciative of your close reading and pivotal comments on my humble work.
Thank you for paying attention on my methodology and your suggestion for relocating it. As you mentioned, now, in the abstract includes the methodology of my work.
Again, thank you so much for your time, thoughtful words, and the recommendation for my work.
Gratefully,
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsFine as it.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
I appreciate your close reading and insightful comments on my humble work.
I agree with you that my article lacks contextual knowledge.
Writing my first draft, I was too much focus on the term both syndemic and margin. Though my intention was to make contextual relevance yet, the article became intellectual and abstract.
Within limited time, I found an example from a Puerto Rican churches. Which is written in the book Centering Hope as a Sustainable Decolonial Practice: Esperenza en Práctica by Yara González-Justiniano. I hope this part might provide a contextual sense with my article.
Again, I appreciate your thoughtful words and comments.
Gratefully
