Why Study Black Preaching?
The Best of Black Preaching
The best of Black preaching today uses scholarly insights for more than solving imagined tensions between science and religion, or faith and reason. Black preachers often use the best of biblical scholarship to add living details that would not otherwise be evident to the laity.
The Kind of Sermon You Don’t Forget
Robert Smith Jr.
“I don’t consider myself a black preacher . . . I say that because I want my preacher-liness to define me and not my race. I’m a preacher who just happens to be black so I don’t want to be defined, confined and categorized by my ethnicity, which I don’t deny.”
Robert Smith and Doctrinal Preaching
Doctrinal preaching is both content centered (teaching to instruct the mind) and intent centered (preaching to move the heart). Doctrine and joy interpenetrate and are intertwined.
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Robert Smith Jr. is widely regarded as a masterful doctrinal preacher, seamlessly weaving deep theological truths into sermons that engage both the heart and mind. His preaching is rooted in a firm commitment to biblical exposition, ensuring that every message is rich with scriptural integrity and doctrinal depth. Rather than presenting doctrine as abstract theology, Smith brings it to life through vivid storytelling, poetic language, and passionate delivery, making complex biblical truths accessible and compelling. His ability to illuminate the grand narrative of redemption, connecting individual passages to the broader gospel story, sets him apart as a preacher who not only informs but transforms his listeners.
Preaching is the escorting of the hearers into the presence of God for the purpose of transformation.
Rated “R” for Redemption
In the sermon chosen for this session of God’s Trombones, Robert Smith Jr. unpacks the doctrine of redemption with a masterful blend of biblical narrative and personal testimony. A quick search online reveals nearly half a dozen versions of this sermon, each one uniquely adapted to its audience—proof of Smith’s ability to shape his message in the moment. While the details shift with each retelling, the heart of the sermon remains unchanged: a powerful proclamation of God’s unwavering plan to redeem His creation through Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
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What sources does the preacher use to illustrate the doctrine of redemption? Where does he get these stories?
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How did audience participation (call and response) play into the preaching of this sermon?
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Were there terms in the sermon you weren’t familiar with? How well did Smith explain those terms?
- Smith shares a deeply personal story of his family’s loss and grief. How does this testimony make the doctrine of redemption more tangible and impactful for the listener?
The Impact of Black Preaching
From Harry Hoosier to the homiletical masters of today, Black preaching has shaped American culture with an impact that transcends time and boundaries. Frank A. Thomas boldly asserts, “African American preaching can lead a preaching renaissance that revives American Christianity in the 21st century.” L. Susan Bond echoes this sentiment, stating, “The African American Christian tradition has produced a lion’s share of America’s great preachers. In fact, many Americans consider the African American pulpit the pinnacle of religious oratory.” These voices affirm what history has already shown—Black preaching is not just influential; it is essential, breathing life into the church and calling all who hear to a deeper, truer faith.
The impact of Black preaching reaches far beyond its cultural roots, carrying the gospel’s power to anyone with ears to hear. Through the voices of preachers like Robert Smith Jr., E.V. Hill, and Gardner C. Taylor, we witness a tradition that doesn’t just proclaim redemption—it embodies it. Their words break barriers, speaking across race and culture, reminding us that the story of Jesus is for all people, in every place, for all time.
