16 Ducere Est Servire: THE LEADERSHIP JOURNAL OF DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY and equality. First, rather than remain silent, Taylor confronted the issue of racism in America head on. Second, Taylor employed the prophetic voice evidenced by compassionate accountability, identifying injustice and calling for repentance regardless of the racial composition of his audience. Third, Taylor considered all aspects of the Gospel. His was a Christ-centered approach to preaching and holistic application of the Gospel as a key element of his efficacy. Lastly, the plight of Black people in America and the soul of the nation consumed Taylor’s heart. He was deeply concerned about whether America would ever live up to her democratic ideals of freedom, justice, and equality. Thus, in his preaching, Taylor engaged problems related to racial unity and equality with commitment and consistency. CONFRONTING THE ISSUE Taylor dealt with racism head on, using his pulpit as a platform to speak directly to the vitriolic institution that had become so engrained in the American ethos. To ensure issues related to prejudice and discrimination remained a priority for America, Taylor often employed the prophetic voice common in the Black homiletic tradition.10 Modeled after the seers of the Old Testament, prophetic preaching is described by Thomas G. Long as “preaching that announces the reign of God over against powers and principalities that seem to hold sway in the culture.”11 Prophetic preaching confronts societal ills, announces pending judgment, calls people and nations to repentance, and gives hope to the oppressed, righteous remnant of God.12 Taylor’s preaching continuously exposed the sin of racism and admonished people to change. His tone was sharp but not overbearing; poignant but not without hope; trenchant and yet immersed in grace. Taylor’s words brought about a sense of conviction but sent listeners away encouraged both to do better and to be better. An example of such preaching is in a sermon entitled “There is Power in That Cross” delivered in 1953 at the annual meeting of the American Baptist Convention in Denver, Colorado. Early in the sermon Taylor pointed to America’s hypocrisy, chiding her disingenuous efforts in dealing with issues such as racism, unjust war, and political corruption. His charge was insincerity on the part of those
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx