This thesis deals with the theological and homiletical challenge of preaching in a middle to upper middle class congregation that sees little difference between American values, ethics, customs and beliefs and those of Christianity. Using insights from current biblical, theological, ethical, sociological, and homiletical thought, I have designed a method of preaching that presents the stories of Scripture as the foundation for shaping and determining our personal identity. This method will produce a collision between the narratives of our secular culture and civil religion (metanarratives) on the one hand and the narratives of the Bible on the other. This method of preaching is designed to restructure our personal identity, which has been built upon the foundation of the narratives of our secular culture. My method challenges these secular narratives (metanarratives), presents an alternative narrative from Scripture, and provides an empowering image to inspire transformation. While I recognize that no one sermon can possibly hope to accomplish conversion, I believe this form of preaching will at least offer a beginning by producing a tension or fiction within the congregation. I believe that this form of preaching can be used by the Holy Spirit within the overall program of the church and outside of the life of the church, in the Spirit's work of transformation.
