The Heart of Black Preaching

by Cleophus J. LaRue

By Midwest Book Review Cleophus J. LaRue's Heart Of Black Preaching provides important insights on why black preaching is strong and active, connecting with the real-life experiences of listeners. Too many preachers leave God out: LaRue considers the important connections between life experiences and religion which make black preachers so effective in their communities. Another reviewer wrote: This is a super book for anyone wanting to know the history and present day dynamics of black preaching. LaRue brings forth a wealth of information on great black preachers of the past and he also draws upon current African American preachers on the American scene. He claims there is a particular way of viewing God that is distinctive to black preaching. Moreover, he argues that there are five domains or spheres of black lived experience that are very helpful to black preaching. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of the particulars of black preaching and a greater understanding of how to prepare your own sermons. It is a most helpful book. Great!

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Josh Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleophus LaRue is searching for the answer of what is African-American preaching is, and can it be parsed out so that it can be taught not as a formula for others but as awareness of how pastors preach Scripture. LaRue looks at black preachers over time and how they approach their sermons. LaRue unpacks African-Americans' history through their struggle, passion, and formation, which is interconnected with Scripture. LaRue highlights Black preaching's characteristics as strong biblical content, creative use of language, appeal to emotions, ministerial authority, and reflection. LaRue shows that black preaching builds its foundation on the belief and knowledge of an all-powerful sovereign God. Their marginalization and struggle in their time in the United States create a gospel that has been lived out and experienced that other ethnic groups will not understand but can listen and learn from. LaRue writes, “From beginning to end, therefore, the black sermon has as its goal the creation of a meaningful connection between an all-powerful God and a marginalized and powerless people.” I would like to find my place standing within my brothers and sisters on the margins. As LaRue writes, I have learned that black preaching has been and continues to be a very complex and convoluted system of preaching. LaRue writes, “The five broad domains of experience that appear often enough in black life and preaching to constitute a paradigm are: personal piety, care of the soul, social justice, corporate concerns, and maintenance of the institutional church.” These five experiences are dear to me and something that I value as well. Obviously, I do not know what it is like to be a black person in America. Still, I can empathize, learn, and advocate as much and as often as I can. By taking my voice to predominantly white congregations, I can move them from their stagnant place. Hopefully, they too can find their voice to learn, stand, and empathize with black people in this country.

[Trent Esch]

Commentary on the contextual experiences of black preachers, their experiences, history, and desire for communal understanding of the Word of God.

[Johnny Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational on preaching

I like the sermons and information on things that happen in real life. This will be a helpful book for anyone who preachers or teach

[Demetrius Rogers]

I'm preparing for a class, so all these books are beginning to run together a bit. But, this one may have been my favorite thus far. I appreciated the clear and organized format. I'm surprised though, along with the rest of the books I've read, that there has been no treatment of Black Pentecostalism in general, and the COGIC in particular. Zilch. Baptist, Methodist, but no Pentecostalism. Seems like a strange oversight. Aside from that, I enjoyed getting acquainted with new names and voices. Jeremiah Wright, other than what we know of him from Obama's campaign years ago, seems to be a very gifted exponent of the Black preaching tradition. I'm surprised though how many of these authors seem to be advocates of James Cone and Liberation theology. I never knew this was such a strong impulse in the Black pulpit, but maybe I've been sequestered from that growing up in the Pentecostal tradition (AG). Nonetheless, this was an informative read, with an interesting appendix full of African American sermons from the past and present. I would've loved to have gone back in time and heard John Jasper preach. That boy... Add him to the list of people I want to meet in heaven. :)