A cartoon I remember from years ago pictures a preacher in a pulpit ready to begin his sermon. The entire front wall of the church is made up of giant audio speakers. The preacher has his hand on the volume control of the amplifier. He has a slightly wicked grin on his face. As he swiftly turns the dial from zero to full volume he says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." The audience is not visible, but one imagines them sliding down in their pews, shoulders hunched, hands clasped tightly over their ears.

I think I know several preachers who would dearly love to do what their cartoon counterpart did. Not only could they be sure that everyone heard what had been said, but they would see some visible sign that eardrums had been affected. The mere impact of sound, of course, does not c…