Isaac Rufus Clark believed preaching was essential to the African American experience. This systematic theology and homiletics master with a colorful personality taught 28 years at the Interdenominational Theological Center on the substance and methods of preaching.  We here at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library Archives are pleased to highlight the Isaac R. Clark Memorial Collection.

Clark was the son of Reverend and Mrs. James H. Clark of New Castle, Pennsylvania. His wife, Dr. Betty Clark, was also of New Castle. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the United States Navy during World War II, and soon after being honorably discharged, he attended Wilberforce University where he received a Bachelor of Arts. Clark also received a Bachelor of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary and later received his Ph.D. in Theology from Boston University. Read his and his wife’s biographical sketches found in the manuscript collection.

Within this collection you will find manuscripts produced by Dr. Clark during his time as Homiletics Professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center, including his class syllabi and lecture outlines. Quotes from the lecture outlines reveal the rich personality of Dr. Clark. When mentioning fresh ITC seminary graduates eager to display their new knowledge he states, “They’re often puking undigested knowledge on folks rather than creatively using their internalized knowledge.”

A 1/4 inch audio tape format used widely in the mid 20th century. This is the original format of the Clark audio materials prior to digitization.

Researchers may receive other glimpses of his personality when listening to the accompanying audio recordings that are also a part of the collection and can be accessed through the Atlanta University Center Digital Commons platform. While listening to the audio, patrons are sure to hear the colorful language and examples Dr. Clark used during his homiletics class sessions. Listeners will often hear Dr. Clark refer students to the preaching manual he authored. This fifty eight page manual titled “Principles for Preparing and Delivering Sermons” is located within the collection and emphasizes the essential elements of preaching. The proposition (as an essential element) is emphasized by Dr. Clark’s statement “If you ain’t got ‘no proposition,’ then you ain’t got ‘no sermon!” His personality and teaching style comes out in recordings such as: “Theological Definition of Preaching“and “Basic Christian Communication.”

The Isaac R. Clark Memorial Collection contains not only materials relating to preaching; other materials, including writings by Dr. Clark, his students, and faculty of Interdenominational Theological Center such as Dr. Charles B. Copher, are also found within the holdings. Printed materials inside the collection include “Trends in Theology” by Professor L. Berkhof, The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and other African Methodist Episcopal Church material. Interdenominational Theological Center chapel service programs – including the twenty fifth silver anniversary charter day celebration – also document events at the institution. We are pleased to preserve and make accessible this rich collection at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library Archives Research Center.  Until our next Spreading the Word project update we hope you will check out this collection! Access the finding aid for the manuscript collection, listen to the audio recordings of Isaac Clark, his students and other lecturers, and enjoy this dynamic professor’s work.