Breaking white supremacy
Book Description
Gary J. Dorrien illuminates a powerful yet overlooked spiritual tradition that shaped America's most significant liberation movement. This comprehensive exploration reveals how the black social gospel tradition provided the theological foundation for civil rights leaders, particularly Martin Luther King Jr., as they pursued justice and transformation in twentieth-century America.
Rather than viewing the civil rights movement solely through a political lens, Dorrien uncovers the deep spiritual roots that sustained its leaders through extraordinary challenges. He traces how black church leaders embraced a progressive, justice-oriented faith that connected personal transformation with social change, creating a theological framework that would inspire generations of activists.
The book examines how this tradition developed its distinctive approach to spirituality, one that refused to separate individual salvation from collective liberation. Through careful analysis of key figures and their theological contributions, Dorrien demonstrates how the black social gospel created a unique synthesis of faith and social action that continues to offer wisdom for contemporary spiritual seekers.
This scholarly yet accessible work spans 610 pages, providing readers with a thorough understanding of how spiritual conviction can fuel movements for justice. For those interested in the intersection of faith and social transformation, Dorrien's research offers valuable insights into how religious communities can become catalysts for meaningful change while maintaining their spiritual integrity and prophetic voice.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~17 hours)
📄 Length: 610 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore SOCIAL SCIENCE
- ✓ Explore 20th Century
- ✓ Explore Civil rights movements, united states
- ✓ Explore African American Studies
- ✓ Explore Ethnic Studies
- ✓ Explore White supremacy movements
- ✓ Explore Christian sociology
- ✓ Explore Civil rights
