Eric C Redmond - Say It!: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition

Eric Redmonds 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 facets. 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. Redmonds book will bring a sense of understanding and clarity to these experiences and why this unique style is still beneficial in todays 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 makes 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, Im 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

Rightly dividing the Word of truth, preaching with prophetic power, expounding the riches of Gods inerrant Bookthese arent the priorities and passions of the white evangelical preacher solely. Indeed, there is a substantive and celebrated African American tradition of expository preaching that courses through the veins of church history. And now, this timely volume of essays and exemplary sermons puts this rich tradition within the grasp of a whole new generation of preachersred and yellow, black and white. Thank you to Eric C. Redmond and his outstanding team of contributors. I cant commend this volume highly enough. Say it, brothers, and say it again!

TODD WILSON

President, The Center For Pastor Theologians

2020 by ERIC C. REDMOND

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