Sermons lend themselves to ambiguous identification in the study of religions. On the one hand, they are easily recognisable practices, delivered on particular days of the week, or when special occasions or needs arise. They are usually given in clearly defined places at clearly defined times. They are given by designated or recognized individuals that vary according to the respective religious traditions. On the other hand, sermons are speech performances that may and often do vary from one occasion to the next. While prone to a certain formalism, sermon speech acts are open to variation from time to time, and from preacher to preacher. To extend the possibilities offered by sermons for reflection and analysis, I explore some of the theoretical insights suggested for sermons in ritual studies and from the history of sermons within religious traditions. There is no consensus within ritual studies, but there are some useful ideas and suggestions that cover and extend the practices and speech acts that constitute sermons. More significantly, I found the longue duree of the sermon in the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to be more resourceful. The historical view of the sermon in comparable religious traditions brings forth enduring elements such as reading texts, employing rhetoric, producing effects (including affect), signifying and challenging authority, and marking time and space. More than the theoretical models for rituals from anthropology and religious studies, this historical perspective brings out the value of the practices and speech elements that constitute sermons.

中文翻译：

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讲道作为实践和语言表演：理论和历史的见解

在宗教研究中，布道有助于模糊识别。一方面，它们是易于识别的做法，在一周中的特定日子或在特殊场合或需要出现时提供。它们通常在明确定义的时间在明确定义的地方给出。它们由指定或认可的个人提供，根据各自的宗教传统而有所不同。另一方面，讲道是演讲表演，可能而且经常在不同场合发生变化。虽然倾向于某种形式主义，但布道演说的行为不时会发生变化，并且会因传道人而异。为了扩展讲道提供的反思和分析的可能性，我探索了一些为仪式研究中的布道和宗教传统中的布道历史提出的理论见解。在仪式研究中没有达成共识，但有一些有用的想法和建议，涵盖和扩展构成布道的实践和言语行为。更重要的是，我发现犹太教、基督教和伊斯兰教的亚伯拉罕传统中的长篇布道更加足智多谋。类似宗教传统中布道的历史观带来了经久不衰的元素，例如阅读文本、使用修辞、产生效果（包括情感）、象征和挑战权威、标记时间和空间。不仅仅是来自人类学和宗教研究的仪式理论模型，