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In
You Must Be Born Again: Phillis Wheatley as Prophetic Poet, the author argues that Phillis Wheatley is the mother of liberation theology. The author uses Wheatley's poetry and life experiences to create a portrait of Wheatley beyond that of a poet. Wheatley is described as both poet and visionary who wrestles with God during the creative process. The lyrical expressions of Wheatley's poetry unlock the spiritual impressions on her heart. The author sets up the racial dynamics of Wheatley's time and her engagement with those politics. As a preacher, Wheatley combats the immoral undercurrent that erodes the community's social, economic, and spiritual foundation as well as its political systems. The author positions Wheatley as one uniquely qualified to address the hypocrisy within her world and, by implication, present-day society by calling for immersion into a radical understanding of love and justice, resulting in a renewed hope for equality and a pathway toward equity.
List of contents
Table of Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Introduction - "I Plead the First!": Writing a New America
Chapter 1: Phillis Wheatley, the Poet-Theologian
Chapter 2: Encountering God through the Preacher: Wheatley's Influences
Chapter 3: The Creativity of the Spoken Word
Chapter 4: Created in the Imagination
Chapter 5: Salvation is Available
Chapter 6: The Story behind the Voice
Epilogue - To Whom Much is Given
Appendix
Bibliography
About the author
Wallis C. Baxter IIIserves as Senior Pastor of the Second Baptist Church Southwest in District Heights, MD.
Summary
In You Must Be Born Again: Phillis Wheatley as Prophetic Poet the author presents Phillis Wheatley as a preacher and theologian committed to transforming her world through her poetry. The result is a prophetic message of hope for the oppressed and corrective instruction for the institutional power structures.
