Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church, By Edward Gilbreath

Birmingham Revolution

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church

by Edward Gilbreath

Birmingham Revolution
Paperback
  • Length: 208 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
  • Published: November 01, 2013
  • Imprint: IVP
  • ISBN: 9780830837694
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From time to time prophetic Christian voices rise to challenge our nation's "original sin." In the twentieth century, compelled by the Spirit of God and a yearning for freedom, the African American church took the lead in heralding the effort. Like almost no other movement before or since, Christian people gave force to a social mission. And, remarkably, they did it largely through nonviolent actions. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words and historic efforts as the Moses of this civil rights movement stand out as perhaps the most significant instance of a modern Christian leader acting in a prophetic role to instigate political change. In many ways "The Letter from Birmingham Jail" stands at the center of that movement. In this book African American journalist Edward Gilbreath explores the place of that letter in the life and work of Dr. King. Birmingham Revolution is not simply a work of historical reflection. Gilbreath encourages us to reflect on the relevance of King's work for the church and culture of our day. Whether it's in debates about immigration, economic redistribution or presidential birth certificates, race continues to play a role in shaping society. What part will the church play in the ongoing struggle?

"The calling of a prophet is a glorious burden. The prophetic voice of Martin Luther King is as needed by the church today as it was half a century ago. Edward Gilbreath allows us to hear it with depth and power."John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and author of Who Is This Man?
"Today, the historical significance of Dr. Martin Luther King has either been virtually forgotten or has given way to a slew of one-dimensional caricatures. In Birmingham Revolution, Ed Gilbreath not only gives a fresh analysis of an important chapter of the civil rights movement, he also thoughtfully reintroduces Dr. King to a whole new generation. He challenges us to reexamine Dr. King's renowned 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail' in order to rediscover the clear biblical concerns and mandates for justice. This book will prove to be a valuable tool in equipping those we disciple with a fuller application of God's Word in the cultural marketplace."Carl Ellis Jr., assistant professor of practical theology, Redeemer Seminary
"This book offers a unique facet to the multifaceted jewel of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Birmingham revolution. The one who dares to take another look into the life, work and ministry of King by reading this book will experience the transition from a glimpse to a glance to a glaze."Robert Smith Jr., professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, Alabama
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CONTENTS

Prologue: King's Wittenberg Moment
1 Birmingham Begins
2 The Making of Martin
3 Montgomery Miracle
4 The Road to Revolution
5 As Birmingham Goes
6 Eight White Preachers, or With Friends Like These
7 An Angry Dr.King
8 The Jailhouse Manifesto
9 "My Dear Fellow Clergymen"
10 Taking It to the Streets
11 Dreams and Nightmares
12 After the Revolution
13 King Among the Evangelicals
Epilogue: King's Epistle for Today
Acknowledgments
Notes
Recommended Reading on Race, MLK and the Civil Rights Movement
Index
About the Author

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Edward Gilbreath

Edward Gilbreath is the author of Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity. An award-winning journalist, he serves as an editor at large for Christianity Today magazine and as the executive director of communications for the Evangelical Covenant Church. Since the release of Reconciliation Blues, he has spoken to thousands of people across the nation at churches, conferences, and university campuses on issues of race, faith and culture.