The Motif of Hope in African American Preaching during Slavery and the Post-Civil War Era: There's a Bright Side Somewhere [Paperback]

The Motif of Hope in African American Preaching during Slavery and the Post-Civil War Era: There's a Bright Side Somewhere explores the use of the motif of hope within African American preaching during slavery (18031865) and the post-Civil War era (18651896). It discusses the presentation of the motif of hope in African American preaching from an historical perspective and how this motif changed while in some instances remained the same with the changing of its historical context. Furthermore, this discussion illuminates a reality that hope has been a theme of importance throughout the history of African American preaching.Wayne E. Croft is The Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr. Associate Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics in African American studies at United Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia and senior pastor for St. Paul's Baptist Church in West Chester, PA.

. . . . this study serves as an important contribution in the study of preaching and should be a welcome addition to the libraries of those interested in religion, homiletics, African American history, and activism. Reading Religion

In this excellent book, Wayne Croft extensively researched Hope in black scholarship, in slave preaching pre-emancipation (1800-1864), and in Post-Civil War to Plessy v. Ferguson (1865-1896). . . . Croft presses for, Hope. Today, amidst re-segregation, racial injustice, and income inequality, we hunger for hope in seemingly hopeless times. We need the courage to claim the freedom we have to gather and publicly proclaim Gods message of Christs freedom from oppression. This book should be in many libraries to be accessible for those preparing become not only black but also white preachers. Currents In Theology and Mission

African American poets, playwrights, protest leaders, and music producers have all addressed the need for and sometimes the absence of hope among African Americans from one generation to the next. In this new book Wayne Croft dolC&