修辞是语言的艺术,神学是宗教的意识;前者是人类文明的映射,后者是愚昧无知的象征,二者是不相容的,如同科学与迷信相互抗衡。这是一个比较公认的结论。但是,修辞学作为一门研讨语言艺术的学问,和其他艺术形式一样,无论你怎样论证它的科学性,都无法把它同宗教彼此区分得一丝无挂。正象一位艺术家所说的那样:“当我们决心追寻艺术的 Rhetoric is the art of language, theology is religious consciousness; the former is the mapping of human civilization, the latter is a symbol of ignorance, the two are incompatible, as science and superstition compete with each other. This is a more accepted conclusion. However, rhetoric, as a study of the art of language, like any other form of art, can not be distinguished from religion, no matter how you argue its scientificity. As one artist put it: "When we are determined to pursue art