It’s reasonable to believe that a life spanning 95 years carries a certain wisdom, and that certainly applies to the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian. Born Cordy Tindell Vivian, he began his activism with what is cited as a successful lunch‑counter sit‑in in 1947.
From that moment through the final year of his life in 2020, Vivian’s work as a civil rights champion was grounded in theology and sustained by his faith.
A new book, “Your Soul Is Required: The Theology and Sermons of C.T. Vivian,” offers a collection of sermons that clearly reveal what he stood for and why he remains among the most influential figures of the civil rights movement. The collection pairs Vivian’s sermons with commentary from contemporary scholars and preachers, offering a deeper look into the foundations of his theology.
Vivian’s grandson, Coleman Vivian, told “Closer Look” host Rose Scott that although he never heard his grandfather preach in person, the process of working on the book allowed him to watch archival clips and listen to past sermons.
“I’m blessed that I have the opportunity to at least hear him on YouTube or read his books. And so I think this is the first time I got to experience the reverend side of him,” said Coleman. “Yeah. I’ve seen the doctor. I know the granddad. But this is the first time I got to see the reverend, the preacher, the theologian… I think that hearing him and then reading these sermons, it’s crazy that it was 30, 40, 50 years ago — and how it’s still so relevant today, how it still convicts today, and still calls America to action today.”
