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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!
- GenresTheologyNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2020
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152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 30, 2021
Wonderful explanation and examples of expository black preaching.
The book starts with a few chapters about the black church and its unique contribution to preaching. These were some of my favorites and the most personally beneficial. The book then gives examples of sermons from different preachers in every single genre of Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments. A unique aspect of these sermons is that they are both book ended with explanations from the pastor as to why they made certain choices that they did. I found these incredibly beneficial because it gave context and helped see how they developed these sermons. The book ends with a chapter arguing for preaching through books of the Bible.
Overall this is a wonderful book. Any seminary student, or fan of preaching should absolutely read this. I was encouraged and challenged by every sermon in here. My only complaint about the book is that I wanted more.
The book starts with a few chapters about the black church and its unique contribution to preaching. These were some of my favorites and the most personally beneficial. The book then gives examples of sermons from different preachers in every single genre of Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments. A unique aspect of these sermons is that they are both book ended with explanations from the pastor as to why they made certain choices that they did. I found these incredibly beneficial because it gave context and helped see how they developed these sermons. The book ends with a chapter arguing for preaching through books of the Bible.
Overall this is a wonderful book. Any seminary student, or fan of preaching should absolutely read this. I was encouraged and challenged by every sermon in here. My only complaint about the book is that I wanted more.
June 1, 2020
Read differently than I anticipated, but still good. The preface and introduction were excellent and explained the faithfulness and uniqueness of black preaching. I really enjoyed those portions and was hoping the rest of the book was like those sections. The next 3 chapters were essentially introductory chapters on hermeneutics and preaching and then the remainder of the book was a collection of sermons by modern black pastors. I was hoping for more of a historical celebration of black preaching than a book of collected sermons, but it was excellent for what it was! It showed plainly the faithfulness to expository preaching that exists in black churches today.
March 29, 2021
I appreciated that this book’s primary way of teaching homiletics was by example. Reading the collected sermons here was a lot more helpful than just reading ideas about preaching without contextual examples.
July 18, 2023
Some good chapters, but overall lacking.
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December 21, 2019I enjoyed my co-contributors' essays.
February 28, 2021
This book is a Masterclass on preaching. To be mentored by 10 skilled preachers on the art, beauty, missionality, and intentionality of preaching is truly a gift. This book will communicate a particular appreciation for preaching from an African American tradition, yes, but anyone who feels called and gifted to preach will be wise to sit under these preachers who come from such a rich tradition of preaching and oration.
This book is made up of several sermons that run through different genres of both the old and New Testament. I love both learning by reading well written and studied sermons, but each chapter also starts with a window into the preachers process of exegetical, hermeneutical, and homiletical preparation. Whether you are an experienced preacher, or brand new, their wisdom and experience in preparation is a great classroom to grow both in the skill of sermon preparing, and in love with the devotion of sitting in the passage long enough to behold the beauty of Jesus and the core message within the passages.
The last chapter makes a strong case for preachers and churches to preach through books in the Bible, and after reading sermons that span through every part of the Bible, it’s hard not to agree with their case.
This book does a phenomenal job at uplifting the tradition of preaching in the African American tradition, not through chapters of apologetic arguments, but through highlighting the sermons itself, with all its flare, control of language and rhetoric, beautiful analogies and story telling, and relevant cultural connections. And while it does that for the specific tradition it was written to do that for, at the same time it imagines what could be for any preacher, or any tradition, and exemplifies the elements of preaching that any preacher should be working on. This was an absolute gift.
This book is made up of several sermons that run through different genres of both the old and New Testament. I love both learning by reading well written and studied sermons, but each chapter also starts with a window into the preachers process of exegetical, hermeneutical, and homiletical preparation. Whether you are an experienced preacher, or brand new, their wisdom and experience in preparation is a great classroom to grow both in the skill of sermon preparing, and in love with the devotion of sitting in the passage long enough to behold the beauty of Jesus and the core message within the passages.
The last chapter makes a strong case for preachers and churches to preach through books in the Bible, and after reading sermons that span through every part of the Bible, it’s hard not to agree with their case.
This book does a phenomenal job at uplifting the tradition of preaching in the African American tradition, not through chapters of apologetic arguments, but through highlighting the sermons itself, with all its flare, control of language and rhetoric, beautiful analogies and story telling, and relevant cultural connections. And while it does that for the specific tradition it was written to do that for, at the same time it imagines what could be for any preacher, or any tradition, and exemplifies the elements of preaching that any preacher should be working on. This was an absolute gift.
January 2, 2021
I've seen this book recommended by several people I respect in the biblical counseling world. Seeing that it was a missing area of my Bible study books, and it's a topic my wife loves, I bought the book and gave it to her as a present. At this point we've both read it and loved it.
This is a compilation of ten African American authors writing together on how African Americans approach preaching. As such, there are some chapters that are far more engaging than others.
The various authors that participated in this book is no list of small names. Indeed each one is well known in their fields: Charlie Dates, Eric C. Redmond, Winfred Omar Neely, Ernest Gray, George Parks Jr., Eric Mason, Terry D Streeter, Romell Williams, Paul Felix, and K. Edward Copeland. Together these authors tackle Black Preaching & Hermeneutics, Biblical Exposition of the Old Testament, & Biblical Exposition of New Testament.
I found the first part of the book, Black Preaching and Black Hermeneutics, a bit drier than the rest of the book. This is to be somewhat expected as these authors tackle the topic of how to study a book and how to express those studies compellingly. While both of those topics are important, it's a bit like talking about how to write a sentence... it's essential to know, but often rather dry.
The second part of the book, Biblical Exposition of the Old Testament, is where the book shined the most for me. There's a chapter here for each genre of literature in the Old Testament: Pentateuch, History, Worship, Prophetic Poetry, and Prophetic Narrative. The authors tackling this section were able to explain the differences of how to do that genre compared to others and then present part or all of a sermon where they did that themselves.
Easily the biggest highlight in this section was Charlie Date's chapter. He writes like a poet. His words came together with class and style rarely seen in modern day preaching. While you're enraptured with his style, you're also basking in the craft that he put into understanding the text and his expert ability to relay it. Date's will have your enraptured throughout his chapter.
On the other hand, the chapter I like the least is also in this section. It came from one of my favorite books: Habakkuk. Streeter covers this one and makes a case on how to cast a vision for your church or ministry. The problem is, that's not really what Habakkuk is about. Habakkuk is the story of a prophet who's terrified that his nation and home are about to get wrecked by a warring heathen nation. He brings his complaint to God, and God basically says: "It's happening, get ready." And then the book ends with Habakkuk telling God he's nervous about it still, but that he will place his trust in God all the same. Streeter takes the chapter in the middle of that story, where God lays out punishments for those than try to take advantage of their fellow man during this time of upheaval, and makes it about how to create a vision for your ministry. His bullet point list of what makes a good vision is decent, but it just catches me off guard coming from this passage.
The third and final section, Biblical Exposition of New Testament, mimicked the style of the second section with a chapter for the Gospels, one for the letters, and one for prophecy. Through all three chapters and three different authors a strong theme carried through: the main objective of preaching exegetically is not just to preach what the text says, but to make sure you relate the text to life today. In talking with my wife about her thoughts on the book, she felt like these authors were much better at doing that in general than the average white preacher she's heard.
Top Quotes
To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life
This is a compilation of ten African American authors writing together on how African Americans approach preaching. As such, there are some chapters that are far more engaging than others.
The various authors that participated in this book is no list of small names. Indeed each one is well known in their fields: Charlie Dates, Eric C. Redmond, Winfred Omar Neely, Ernest Gray, George Parks Jr., Eric Mason, Terry D Streeter, Romell Williams, Paul Felix, and K. Edward Copeland. Together these authors tackle Black Preaching & Hermeneutics, Biblical Exposition of the Old Testament, & Biblical Exposition of New Testament.
I found the first part of the book, Black Preaching and Black Hermeneutics, a bit drier than the rest of the book. This is to be somewhat expected as these authors tackle the topic of how to study a book and how to express those studies compellingly. While both of those topics are important, it's a bit like talking about how to write a sentence... it's essential to know, but often rather dry.
The second part of the book, Biblical Exposition of the Old Testament, is where the book shined the most for me. There's a chapter here for each genre of literature in the Old Testament: Pentateuch, History, Worship, Prophetic Poetry, and Prophetic Narrative. The authors tackling this section were able to explain the differences of how to do that genre compared to others and then present part or all of a sermon where they did that themselves.
Easily the biggest highlight in this section was Charlie Date's chapter. He writes like a poet. His words came together with class and style rarely seen in modern day preaching. While you're enraptured with his style, you're also basking in the craft that he put into understanding the text and his expert ability to relay it. Date's will have your enraptured throughout his chapter.
On the other hand, the chapter I like the least is also in this section. It came from one of my favorite books: Habakkuk. Streeter covers this one and makes a case on how to cast a vision for your church or ministry. The problem is, that's not really what Habakkuk is about. Habakkuk is the story of a prophet who's terrified that his nation and home are about to get wrecked by a warring heathen nation. He brings his complaint to God, and God basically says: "It's happening, get ready." And then the book ends with Habakkuk telling God he's nervous about it still, but that he will place his trust in God all the same. Streeter takes the chapter in the middle of that story, where God lays out punishments for those than try to take advantage of their fellow man during this time of upheaval, and makes it about how to create a vision for your ministry. His bullet point list of what makes a good vision is decent, but it just catches me off guard coming from this passage.
The third and final section, Biblical Exposition of New Testament, mimicked the style of the second section with a chapter for the Gospels, one for the letters, and one for prophecy. Through all three chapters and three different authors a strong theme carried through: the main objective of preaching exegetically is not just to preach what the text says, but to make sure you relate the text to life today. In talking with my wife about her thoughts on the book, she felt like these authors were much better at doing that in general than the average white preacher she's heard.
Top Quotes
To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life
March 24, 2023
This is a valuable addition to the study of homiletics (the art of preaching)! It is collection of sermons from some modern black preachers of today, and the formatting was quite helpful as it explained the context of each sermon preached, and why it was preached in the way that it was.
I felt that the beginning chapters pitched a different direction than where the book went, as the introduction spoke strongly of the “divided mind of the black church”, to borrow the phrase from Raphael Warnock’s book, and the Book itself, in its selection of sermons, does not emphasize racial tensions much, though the intro also did not say that it would.
As an expository preacher, I was interested to learn more about the craft of preaching, and I certainly did glean from this book some ideas, but I also walked away encouraged and challenged. I am thankful to have gone to a seminary that uplifted the diversity and craft of black preaching through my professors, coursework, and peers that taught me then, as I am reminded of now, of the beauty of the poetic prose that is so often a part of black preaching.
I felt that the beginning chapters pitched a different direction than where the book went, as the introduction spoke strongly of the “divided mind of the black church”, to borrow the phrase from Raphael Warnock’s book, and the Book itself, in its selection of sermons, does not emphasize racial tensions much, though the intro also did not say that it would.
As an expository preacher, I was interested to learn more about the craft of preaching, and I certainly did glean from this book some ideas, but I also walked away encouraged and challenged. I am thankful to have gone to a seminary that uplifted the diversity and craft of black preaching through my professors, coursework, and peers that taught me then, as I am reminded of now, of the beauty of the poetic prose that is so often a part of black preaching.
October 6, 2021
As a novice preacher, I’ve struggled with “feeling it and saying it one week” and “reading a script the next.” I’ve long admired African-American preaching for its immense weightiness and penetrating power. When I stumbled upon this book, I couldn’t resist!
Some essays and sermons are better than others — different authors — but I think that contributes to a well-rounded representation not found in books by single authors.
I really do feel this book has helped me to ditch my notes when it’s time to teach, and embrace the Spirit’s wildness with enthusiasm and confidence. The styles and priorities covered also helps me to ensure each message rings with the hope so craved by the wounded.
I’m thankful for the contributors, especially the efforts of Eric C. Redmond!
Some essays and sermons are better than others — different authors — but I think that contributes to a well-rounded representation not found in books by single authors.
I really do feel this book has helped me to ditch my notes when it’s time to teach, and embrace the Spirit’s wildness with enthusiasm and confidence. The styles and priorities covered also helps me to ensure each message rings with the hope so craved by the wounded.
I’m thankful for the contributors, especially the efforts of Eric C. Redmond!
March 2, 2020
Debunking the Myth Surrounding Black Preaching
So grateful for this work. It rightfully highlights the task of expositional preaching in the African-American context. Many of the brothers highlighted in this work are men I listen to regularly because of their faithfulness to both the exegetical and expository tasks of the preacher.
May this work enlighten those who mistakenly believe that Black preaching is all style and no substance. Reading this will easily debunk that myth and open your world to a social location that needs to be considered and celebrated in the 21st Century.
So grateful for this work. It rightfully highlights the task of expositional preaching in the African-American context. Many of the brothers highlighted in this work are men I listen to regularly because of their faithfulness to both the exegetical and expository tasks of the preacher.
May this work enlighten those who mistakenly believe that Black preaching is all style and no substance. Reading this will easily debunk that myth and open your world to a social location that needs to be considered and celebrated in the 21st Century.
April 2, 2020
This is a book that everyone should read, but it should undoubtedly be required reading for any seminary curriculum. Many black students grow up under the incredible witness of the black church but are unfortunately “educated” to doubt or become overly critical of that witness. This book helps point to the strengths existent in the legacy of black preaching which is often left out in the aforementioned criticism. If your interest is preaching or if you simply want to be encouraged then I highly recommend this book to you. It has sharpened me and it has stirred up fresh zeal and faith in my heart.
May 26, 2020
Preaching Context
The book shared the importance of expository preaching but in the African American context. Being able to wed these two dynamics is what the book offered to the readers. The sermons that I was able to glean from were helpful. To see how pastors share the gospel in a manner that was not boring to the listener or in this case readers, was influential. This book not only share the importance of crafting a sermon from different genres in the Bible it stresses significance of the Gospel message itself. Definitely a good book to read for someone who is a minister or pastor, or someone who loves to read sermons.
The book shared the importance of expository preaching but in the African American context. Being able to wed these two dynamics is what the book offered to the readers. The sermons that I was able to glean from were helpful. To see how pastors share the gospel in a manner that was not boring to the listener or in this case readers, was influential. This book not only share the importance of crafting a sermon from different genres in the Bible it stresses significance of the Gospel message itself. Definitely a good book to read for someone who is a minister or pastor, or someone who loves to read sermons.
March 28, 2023
Enjoyed this a lot. Loved the sermon manuscripts included. The hermeneutical analyses were great, and the celebration of exposition in non-white contexts was really well done and informative.
I had been hoping for more focus on historical black preaching, the intro and first few chapters were great talking about the emphases of black preaching and hermeneutics, but the rest of the book was a collection of sermons from modern pastors. While these sermons were great and I appreciate the opportunity to study them it wasn’t what I expected from this book.
I had been hoping for more focus on historical black preaching, the intro and first few chapters were great talking about the emphases of black preaching and hermeneutics, but the rest of the book was a collection of sermons from modern pastors. While these sermons were great and I appreciate the opportunity to study them it wasn’t what I expected from this book.
May 18, 2023
3.5 stars. I had to read the first section of this book for my sermon prep class, and that section covered the fundamental elements of preaching and interpreting the Old and New Testaments, all from the perspective of the African-American church. There were some very helpful principles, and I was blown away by the connections made in the early portion of Moses’s life in the chapter on the OT. Still, there were times when the book veered dangerously close to CRT ideology and letting that dictate the direction of the black church, which I think would be a major mistake.
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April 6, 2020Not quite what I expected. I suppose I was looking less for sermon manuscripts and more for a historical narrative of the development of African American preaching.
The book was a bit dry for me. It still carried some good insights, but was more of a preaching manual but example- which does have value.
All in all, it was less distinctive as a book about African American preaching and more about the value of expository preaching- which is fine.
The book was a bit dry for me. It still carried some good insights, but was more of a preaching manual but example- which does have value.
All in all, it was less distinctive as a book about African American preaching and more about the value of expository preaching- which is fine.
September 21, 2020
I learned a lot about expository preaching and sermon development, while gaining a lot - personally - from the sermons.
I did not grow up in the black church, but I have a much deeper respect for the style of preaching and depth of scholarship that goes into something that is pleasing to the ear.
I did not grow up in the black church, but I have a much deeper respect for the style of preaching and depth of scholarship that goes into something that is pleasing to the ear.
March 20, 2020
I found this book to be really enlightening and it contains several first class examples of biblical exegesis. Will reference for years to students and colleagues!
February 2, 2023
Descent content. I wasn’t thrilled by the format. Book is mostly sermon examples.
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