I wonder what early Christian preachers were up against. Did pagans have sermons too?
Aristotle thought that a speech made in a high-flown or even pleasant style was too much. Rhetors, according to him, had to be neither too boring nor too poetical. Clarity was the most important oratorical virtue, though delivery was important only insomuch that "proper" delivery was needed to ensure that the audience took in the "just" message intended for them.
Saint Augustine put a little more stock in style; he agreed that orators should not be boring, especially since they were up against those who were out there promoting falsehoods. (The Emperor Constantine was the first Christian Roman Emperor and in 313 – I looked it up) so I’m curious to know how much falsehoods needed fighting versus converts needed making. If "making clear" what was hidden from listeners in a disagreeable way only works for those who believe your message to begin with (Book IV 72), why do women who dye their hair get hit with a grand style invective? Shouldn’t there be a little Christian love for ladies who want to wash that grey right outta their hair? Contrast the declaration that adultery is almost better than make-up with Augustine’s rhetorical strategy against the caterva, the regularly scheduled street violence; those who have been killing people with stones are persuaded merely by occupying "hearts and mouths in giving thanks to God" (Book IV 140)?I guess this is what I should expect from the guy who invented Original Sin.
Saint Augustine also believes in the Bounty Paper Towel method of learning: spend enough time around people who use good grammar and you’ll absorb it. Simply reading and listening to the speeches of the eloquent is just as good if not better than "traditional teaching". This from a guy who had his own school of rhetoric at one point? Does this mean he didn’t like teaching to begin with?