Discovering the Vision in Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” Message: Applying Bormann’s Fantasy Theme Analysis to Evaluate the Message. By April Nicole Pressley A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in Communication At Liberty University April 2010 ii Copyright 2010 by April Nicole Pressley All rights reserved iii Acknowledgements Writing a thesis is an interesting experience. When it takes a couple of years of your life to get it done, it seems difficult to distinguish those who offered guidance and help along the way. There are the professors in the beginning who thought the project was worthy of study. There are fellow classmates and peers who are there to bounce ideas off of. There are friends who encourage you not to give up and who work to convince you that you are smart enough to get this done. Overall, the experience is based on collaboration from beginning to end. A few people do stand out and they contributed to making this thesis a completed project. Though I risk being cliché, I must first acknowledge that without faith in God and believing that something beyond myself was encouraging me to get this project done, I likely would never have possessed the inner gumption to persevere through the rougher parts of this project. I feel that God used this project to teach me more about myself and my relationship with Him. I could not be more grateful for the way this project was used in my life to mature me into a stronger more confident version of myself who truly believes that with God all things are possible. Next, it is important to acknowledge my committee members who encouraged me throughout the project. Doctors Cecil Kramer, Faith Mullen and Bill Mullen were there to ask the tough questions. They exhibited an excessive amount of patience with me and were always willing to give advice on how to make this paper better. With their help, I believe I was able to create a scholarly work that I can be proud of. There are many others along the way who have contributed to this paper and I just want to thank the “village” of people who were there for me during this project. Dale McClesky stands out as someone who came along during the homestretch of the paper. His contribution helped make my paper stronger. Others who stand out are people from Beth Moore’s staff. Though I did not actually meet Moore herself, her staff was truly open and willing to share with me how their leader contributed to their life. Their willingness to be open with me at the beginning of my project gave me the inspiration I needed to see that Beth Moore was a person who was worth studying. Last, but not least, I want to thank my parents Rick and Nita Pressley. Without their support and encouragement I would not have made it through this project. iv Discovering the Vision in Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” Message: Applying Bormann’s Fantasy Theme Analysis to Evaluate the Message. A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty Of Liberty University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Communications Committee Dr. Cecil V. Kramer Chair Dr. Faith Mullen 1st Reader Dr. Bill Mullen 2nd Reader v ABSTRACT Discovering the Vision in Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” Message: Applying Bormann’s Fantasy Theme Analysis to Evaluate the Message. Beth Moore, Christian speaker and author, has become a prominent figure in Christian circles. She ministers to over a million people a year with her messages. Breaking Free is her “life message.” This project analyzes 6 of 11 messages from Breaking Free. Using Bormann’s Fantasy Theme Analysis, seven fantasies emerged from the messages, which yielded a rhetorical vision that describes what Beth Moore believes a woman should be like after hearing her message. After that analysis, the fantasies where compared to evangelical Christian doctrine. That analysis determined that Moore’s underlying message is valid and acceptable to the Christian audience she is trying to minister too. Key Words: Beth Moore, Ernest Bormann, Fantasy Theme Analysis, Rhetorical Vision, Symbolic Convergence, Christian women, Leadership, Women’s Roles, Biblical Womanhood, Breaking Free, Baptist Faith and Message, Values of Christian Women, Christian women history, fantasy themes, Fantasy Theme Analysis criticisms; Christian doctrine; Evangelical April Pressley Masters of Arts Graduate Studies in the Department of Communications Liberty University vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Copyright ii Acknowledgements iii Signature Page iv Abstract v Table of Contents vi Chapter I Introduction 1 Justification of Study 2 Research Questions 3 Understanding the Artifact 4 Overview of Beth Moore 6 Biography 7 Explanation of Ministry 16 Channels of Development 18 Chapter II Literature Review 27 Overview of Christian Women Leaders 27 Biblical Women’s Leadership Roles 28 Table 1: Various Leadership Roles of Women in the Bible 29 A Brief History of Christian Women Leaders 32 Table 2: Overview of Christian Women in Early Centuries 33 The Values of Christian Women 43 An Exploration of Fantasy Theme Analysis 44 Fantasy Theme Analysis 45 Symbolic Convergence Theory 48 Uses of Fantasy Theme Analysis 61 Chapter III Methodology 65 Application of the Rhetorical Tool 66 Chapter IV Results & Analysis 68 The Messages 69 Goals of Breaking Free 69 Untying the Cords of the Yoke 70 Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins 72 Beauty from the Ashes 73 The Steadfast Mind 74 The Display of His Splendor 76 Fantasy Themes & Social Realities 78 Fantasy Theme 1 79 Fantasy Theme 2 95 Fantasy Theme 3 105 Fantasy Theme 4 110 Fantasy Theme 5 122 Fantasy Theme 6 127 Fantasy Theme 7 131 vii Chapter IV Continued Heroes & Villains 135 Rhetorical Vision 138 Vision Analysis 144 Chapter V Future Research and Conclusions 151 Continuing with Fantasy Theme Analysis 151 Analysis of Moore’s Future Work 153 Applying Other Methods 153 Final Conclusions 155 Bibliography 159 Appendix A: Statement of Beliefs for Living Proof Ministries 165 Appendix B: Bible Studies by Beth Moore 166 Appendix C: Books by Beth Moore 167 Appendix E: The Baptist Faith and Message 170 Discovering the Vision in Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” Message: Applying Bormann’s Fantasy Theme Analysis to Evaluate the Message. Chapter I: Introduction Beth Moore, known in some circles as “America’s Bible Teacher,” is an author and media entrepreneur who has been speaking to audiences for over a decade. Since the inception of her ministry in 1994, Moore has spoken to more than 658,000 women at her Living Proof Live Conferences. Through these events, usually sold out, she now speaks to over 100,000 every year. In 2008, during a simulcast event, Moore spoke live to 85,000 people. The simulcast in 2009 is expected to draw more than 100,000. In October 2008, she spoke at her 100th Living Proof Live event and reached her goal of speaking in all fifty states. Moore has written numerous books, studies, and curriculums that are used throughout America and in many other countries. A conservative estimate is that her product sales now exceed more than 11 million units. These few statistics barely touch the surface of the impact Moore is making on women and her ministry shows no signs of slowing or diminishing in the near future. The goal of this paper is to apply a communication criticism to the message she promotes. Though each of her spoken messages and books promote different central ideas, Moore claims that the message contained within her Breaking Free book and Bible study 2 promote her life message. This life message is the engine that drives the rest of her messages. Therefore, Fantasy Theme Analysis will be used to evaluate six of the eleven spoken messages delivered in the Breaking Free Bible study DVD series. The goal is to identify the fantasies within these messages. The resulting fantasies will be used to identify Moore’s rhetorical vision. A final assessment of her vision will determine if her message aligns Biblically with the Scripture she claims to be promoting. From a rhetorical standpoint, Moore is a person of interest because she has the ability to deliver a message that creates resonance. This project began with the idea that investigating a prominent women’s figure in today’s Evangelical Christian culture would be beneficial to those within the rhetorical community and to those beyond it. The intrinsic worth of researching Beth Moore’s rhetorical vision will be established throughout the remainder of chapter one. Justification of Study Several justifications exist for this study. First, Moore is an effective female communicator that is making an impact within her field as a speaker and author. As such, it is likely her leadership and ministry efforts will become an important part of Christian history. Second, at the time of this study, a rhetorical criticism of Beth Moore’s message and technique does not exist. Women speakers can learn from her structure and audience adaptation techniques. Finally, those seeking insight into her life, ministry, and message will be able to glean information from this criticism. Beth Moore is worthy of study because she is a leader. John D. Rockefeller once said, “Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” Moore leads women to Biblical excellence in both their public and private lives. She is a leader 3 who has established a clear vision. People claim to make dramatic changes in their lives as they embrace her vision. Moore’s determination to motivate people may prove to impact Christian history. As she seeks to reach those beyond the church she stands out in her generation as a Christian leader with a substantial presence.