Tim Challies reviews The Faithful Preacher – a biographical presentation by Thabiti Anyabwile of Lemuel Haynes, Daniel Payne and Francis Grimké, three African-American pastors from the 18th century who hailed from the Reformed, puritan school of theology and ministry.
This book sounds really good. (Note: Though Amazon lists it as not yet available, it should be stocked in just a few days.) Here are the blurbs:
“Do yourself a favor; read this book, and share it with others.”
Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church
“Thabiti Anyabwile introduces us to past African-American voices calling pastors to faithfulness in life and doctrine. This is the kind of book we pastors need.”
C.J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries
“Reading The Faithful Preacher is like being introduced to three long-lost spiritual grandfathers and their legacy of pastoral fidelity.”
Ligon Duncan, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS; Adjunct Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary
“Stories of faithful men of God—puritans of the richest kind. This book is a splendid achievement.”
Derek W. H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS; Editorial Director, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
“As an African-American I welcome this book with great enthusiasm. It reminds the broad evangelical world of the provocative, deeply theological, missional, and culturally engaging tradition of African-American gospel preaching. A must read for all church traditions.”
Anthony Bradley, Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary
“With biblical and historical insight, Thabiti would have us admire and thank God for the labors and lives of three men—clear demonstrations of what the pastoral ministry should be, regardless of race, color, or nationality.”
Anthony Carter, Assistant Pastor of Southwest Christian Fellowship; author of On Being Black and Reformed
“At last a great book that taps the fresh water that flows from the heart of three great African-American preachers of the past! We have much to learn from them.”
Joseph M. Stowell, Teaching Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel; former President, Moody Bible Institute
You can also read the Forward (by John Piper), Introduction, and Chapter 1.