Week 12 - Plagiarism

Question 1

Define plagiarism.

Answer 1

The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thought of another author and the reorientation of them as one’s own original word

Question 2

What is forgery?

Answer 2

Forgery is when someone preaches a complete sermon written by another person without giving credit to composer of the sermon.

Question 3

What is Reverse forgery?

Answer 3

Assigning someone’s else name to a work written by oneself (pseudepigraphic writings)

Question 4

What is a pen name?

Answer 4

using a pseudonym as the author of one’s work

Question 5

Dr. Bland feels plagiarizing someone else’s sermons is an issue of:

Answer 5

Ethics

Spiritual development / Spiritual formation

Question 6

Long says we live in an open source society. Why?

Answer 6

The Internet has increased exponentially the practice of plagiarism.

Question 7

Arguments for using other sermons

Answer 7

1. Preferable to preaching one’s own poor sermon
2. Some preachers welcome the practice
3. Congregations are unfair to preachers to expect all original ideas in sermons

Question 8

Disadvantages of Plagiarism

Answer 8

1. Can become addictive like heroin when trying to create sermons in the midnight hour.
2. It hurts our own spiritual growth when we plagiarize.

Question 9

What litmus test can we use to curb plagiarizing?

Answer 9

Litmus Test = what would happen if we told the truth to our congregation when we plagiarize?

Question 10

Final considerations on the subject of plagiarism.

Answer 10

1. Give credit when/where credit is due. However, don’t turn the sermon into a running bibliography.
2. Remember, We are called to preach with integrity (Bible, our own context)
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3. Plagiarism can stifle one’s own development as a preacher