Description
Joseph Evans analyzes how the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s preaching brought the “living word” and various rhetorical techniques together in ways that helped people understand, and be given hope by, his messages. The author observes that James Baldwin—himself a gifted writer and provocative thinker—considered King to be an “Polished Preacher.” This book weaves Baldwin’s poetic and fiery words, passion for justice, and admiration of King’s oration into a detailed, thought-provoking examination of the rhythm of determination and transformative power in King’s speaking, writing, and faith.
Author Bio
Joseph Evans is the J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Professor of Theology in the Public Square and Director of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Restorative Justice at Berkely School of Theology. He is the author of The Art of Eloquence: The Sacred Rhetoric of Gardner C. Taylor (2020), Reconciliation and Reparation: Preaching Economic Justice (2018) published with Judson Press and Lifting the Veil Over Eurocentrism: The Du Boisian Hermeneutic of Double Consciousness, published with Africa World Press (2014).
He has written for the American Baptist Quarterly numerous essays that include "King's Dream: The Revelation of Democratic Justice (2019)" and "Vernon Johns and the Romance of Death" (2017).
Gardner C. Taylor described him as one of the "brilliant preachers of his generation." Wyatt Tee Walker said, "Dr. Evans is a master craftsman who is extremely adept in his understanding of how to prepare and deliver the prophetic sermon." Dr. Evans is married and has two adult children and three grandchildren.