By: Joseph Evans, Ph.D.
Interview By: Michael Reel
It was during a brief early Saturday morning phone conversation with Dr. Joseph Evans that I learned of the passing of Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., pastor emeritus, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, California.
Before letting Dr. Evans go, whose phone was ringing off of the hook, every other second he was asking me to hold on. Folks were calling from around the country, expressing their heartfelt concern for the Smith family while acknowledging the personal and professional impact Dr. Smith had on their lives. As our call closed out, I asked Dr. Evans to write a few paragraphs sharing his own reflection of his time spent with Dr. Smith.
Immediately, Dr. Evans granted my request, but he asked that I provide him with a few questions that could be used to spark his written conversation.
When and where did you first meet Dr. Smith?
Thank you, Michael, for offering me this privilege to talk about my relationship with Dr. Smith. The year was 1999. Although I had witnessed his pulpit oratory in other platforms (i.e., the Hampton Minister’s Conference and the Progressive National Baptist Convention and local churches), it was during that Academic of Homiletics meeting where I would characterize that was the time and place that is most memorable.
The homiletics meeting was held at the Claremont School of Theology in Los Angeles. I was standing alone in a crowded room; I looked and there he was also standing alone. As though he knew me, he smiled. I interpreted his smile as an invitation that I may introduce myself to him. I took advantage; and I spoke of my admiration, and he laughed and said, “All shucks man, give me a hug!” In earnest, our relationship began then and there.
When did you become the Professor of the J. Alfred Smith Chair and how do you understand your role in this position?
I began as the Professor of Theology in the Public Square and Director for the Center of Truth, Racial Healing and Restorative Justice which is the Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. Endowed Chair on April 22, 2022. I will continue to introduce Dr. Smith’s liberation theology motifs to new audiences.
By that I mean, I aspire to help students critique his insight and perspective of the biblical narratives. I encourage students to struggle to grasp his theology and furthermore, I hope to continue to uncover his readings and interpretations of the Jesus narratives. I share his view, Jesus of Nazareth’s theology is political, but Jesus was never a politician. Like Jesus, Dr. Smith not only understood this, but he also strived to embody the assignment of disciples of Jesus. Throughout his life and ministry, Dr. Smith consistently made a clarion call that Jesus is on the side of the oppressed.
If I can highlight these traits of Dr. Smith’s theology and praxis; his legacy will be understood, appreciated, and emulated.
Lastly, do you have something else you would like to say about Dr. Smith?
Yes, he wore his intellectual gifts and anointing – lightly. He was kind and concerned about my welfare – He never spoke to me without offering an encouraging prayer for my family, and my vocational life. Above all else, Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr. was and is a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.
Joseph Evans is the J. Alfred Smith Sr, Endowed Chair and Professor of Theology in the Public Square and the Director of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Restorative Justice at Berkeley School of Theology and co-author of A Credo to the Legatees of the Black Church The First Day of January 2025 Jubilee
