The presence and forms of ethical thinking in Andrej Sládkovič’s sermon outlines

Abstract

Religious writings, intimately linked to his occupation of protestant priest, are an integral part of Andrej Sládkovič’s (1820 – 1872) oeuvre. They can be grouped into several genres, including religious reflective and occasional poetry, prayers, sermons and sermon outlines. Up until now, little attention has been paid to sermon outlines which he had been writing since 1847. This article analysed a selection of sermon outlines from the liturgical year 1850 – 1851. The analysis focused on their thematic features. These ranged from theological and dogmatic through occasional and ethical to moralising, formulated mainly from the position of the ethics of moral duty. Social-moral qualities as realised in the relationship of an individual towards another (specific) individual (in familial, marital or friendly context), and towards the human being in general as well as the society, world and humankind (in the form of social-moral qualities such as solidarity, help and charity) are central focal points of these texts.

Keywords

• andrej sládkovič
• sermon outlines
• ethics
• social-moral qualities