They walked in the Spirit

By Douglas M. Strong

Book Description

Throughout American religious history, a false divide has often separated those who emphasize personal faith from those who champion social transformation. Douglas Strong challenges this artificial separation by illuminating the lives of remarkable individuals who refused to choose between inner spirituality and outer action.

This compelling collection reveals how eight influential figures seamlessly wove together deep personal devotion with passionate social engagement over the past century and a half. Through carefully selected writings and biographical insights, readers encounter William Goodell, Julia Foote, William Seymour, Charles Stelzle, Vida Scudder, E. Stanley Jones, Clarence Jordan, and Orlando Costas—each demonstrating that authentic spiritual life naturally flows into meaningful social impact.

Rather than viewing personal piety and public service as competing priorities, these bridge-builders show how genuine spiritual transformation inevitably leads to concern for justice, equality, and human dignity. Their stories offer a powerful alternative to the compartmentalized faith that has often characterized American Protestantism.

For contemporary readers seeking to integrate their spiritual journey with meaningful engagement in the world, this book provides both inspiration and practical wisdom. Strong presents these historical examples not as distant heroes, but as accessible models for anyone wrestling with how to live out their deepest convictions in daily life. These profiles demonstrate that walking in the Spirit means embracing both personal transformation and social responsibility as inseparable aspects of authentic faith.