Say It! Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition
Say It! A Celebration of Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition argues that Biblical Exposition is most dynamic when coupled with the African American preaching tradition. Charlie Dates, Romell Williams, George Parks, Jr., Terry D. Streeter and a cast of pastors and preaching professors collaborate to demonstrate the power of exposition in the cradle of the Black pulpit. The contributors in this volume give examples of African American Biblical exposition in every section of the Old Testament and New Testament. They also explain how to preach from narrative, poetical, prophetic, epistolary, and apocalyptic genres throughout the Scriptures. This important and powerful resource celebrates the faithful, biblical preaching of African Americans that is so often overlooked because it's stylistically different than the style of most white preachers. Appropriate for training associate ministers or use as a textbook in homiletics, Say It! will give the preacher what is needed to speak to real life from every page of the Book!
From the Back Cover
Appropriate for training associate ministers or use as a textbook in homiletics, Say It! will give the preacher what is needed to craft powerful expository preaching that speaks to real life.”
–Eric C. Redmond, General Editor
Top Highlights
“Exposition seeks to build a homiletical premise for present-day application” (source)
“Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher then through him to hearers.” (source)
“Augustine of Hippo, Cyril of Alexandria, Origen, Tertullian, and others were brown-skinned men from the land of Africa” (source)
“point. It can invite hearers into the biblical narrative, turn their ears into eyes, and arrest their imagination” (source)
“the subject always is the most talked about idea in a passage” (source)
Praise for Say It!
Eric Redmond’s book is one that will inspire, inform, and bring insight into the African American Church cultural experience. The art of the African American celebration in preaching is a style of many different faucets. It has been ridiculed in media and betrayed humorously in movies. Nevertheless, at the same time this experience has lifted up a nation and a people from the ashes of the despair. Redmond’s book will bring a sense of understanding and clarity to these experiences and why this unique style is still beneficial in today’s church.
A.B. VINES SR.
Bishop, New Season Global Network
Former 1st Vice President of SBC
Senior Pastor, New Seasons Church
Say It! provides insight and examples of how the preacher can be equally effective in reflecting upon the human condition while at the same time skillfully applying accurate biblical perspective and interpretation through the discipline of expository preaching. Through its collection of expository sermons that are enveloped in the African American preaching style, Say It! not only affirms the African American preaching tradition but also and most importantly the African American preacher. It masterfully demonstrates to the broader faith community and beyond that the African American preacher in many instances has both the learning and the burning. We congratulate Redmond and the faithful exegetes who have contributed to this marvelous work on a job well done.
KEITH W. BYRD SR.
Second Vice President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
In Say It!, Eric C. Redmond and his cowriters have produced a must-read for students, teachers, pastors, and theologians alike. This is a highly commendable presentation that includes practical Old and New Testament sermonic examples of how biblical exposition can offer an effective method for powerful preaching in the black tradition. Readers will find this work to be a proven tool and a powerful resource.
FELIX G. WILLIAMS III
President, Congress of Christian Education
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
USA and International
With several illustrations of biblical expository preaching in the black tradition included in this volume, the authors have made a clear distinction between expository preaching in the black experience as compared to the white evangelical tradition. Though both approaches are legitimate preaching styles, our historical experience as African Americans making our preaching unique in style and content. Every serious preacher will want to read this outstanding volume. It is sure to sharpen your own preaching gifts.
JAMES C. PERKINS
Pastor, The Greater Christ Baptist Church, Detroit, MI
Former President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
For the past decade or so, my own growth in preaching stems largely from sitting at the feet of expositors in this country who Say It! from the black tradition. My hope is that this book, long overdue, and the men who contributed chapters to it, will fill you with fresh conviction to make progress in your own preaching.
DAVID HELM
Lead Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Hyde Park
Chairman, The Charles Simeon Trust
Say It! is a refreshing volume featuring twelve able practitioners in the African American preaching tradition. But the volume is far more than a book of sermons. It elucidates on principles of hermeneutics, exegesis, and especially application of truth for our generation when the excellence of the preached Word is sometimes sacrificed to satisfy the audience. The review of black preaching through the years of slavery, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights shows how God has used black ministers of the gospel to give encouragement and hope through many difficult days. The book includes a chapter encouraging preaching through the Bible with suggestions on how to do it. Both new and seasoned preachers will find the volume inspirational and instructive.
MELVIN BANKS
Founder and chairman of Urban Ministries, Inc.
As I travel the globe and sit under biblical preaching among the nations, I marvel at how God richly displays his creativity through His people. When I return home, I'm likewise privileged to hear the familiar cadence and content of my African American heritage, through the solid biblical preaching of my local pastor. Say It! opens doors into the exposition and style of this African American tradition for the world to explore and learn about this rich tradition from the inside out.
K. A. ELLIS
Director of the Center for the Study of the Bible and Ethnicity, RTS Atlanta
Product Details
- Title : Say It!: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition
- Author: Redmond, Eric C
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2020
- ISBN: 9780802497895