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Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around: How the Black Church's Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War, By Justin Giboney

Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around

How the Black Church's Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War

by Justin Giboney
Foreword by Esau McCaulley

Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around
Hardback
$25.99
  • Length: 224 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.5 in
  • Published: November 04, 2025
  • Imprint: IVP
  • ISBN: 9781514008423
Other Formats:

Choose Witness Over War

It's possible to be faithful in the public square without joining the culture war. In fact, there's a model. The Black church's social action tradition has long rejected the idea that overcoming polarization means moral compromise. Its historic public witness has defied the culture war's demands to treat opponents as enemies.

In his new book, Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around, AND Campaign co-founder and president Justin Giboney explores a compelling vision of how the Black Church’s social action tradition can inspire hope and healing in the face of today’s polarized culture wars. The spirituals of the Black church, such as "Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around," were rallying cries during the Civil Rights movement, making clear the connection between faith and justice during marches and protests. These songs encapsulated the unwavering faith and resilience of the Black church, propelling ongoing advocacy for justice in the public square, rooted firmly in the Black church's powerful public expression of faith.

Centered on faith, justice, and moral imagination, Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around offers a blueprint for public witness that rises above division without compromising Christian values. Giboney thoughtfully examines the principles, motives, and accomplishments of the Black Church’s legacy, calling all Christians to a courageous and faithful engagement in the public square. This book challenges assumptions on both the Left and Right, presenting a bold model for how social justice and moral order can work together while resisting the demands of polarization and enmity.

In this book, you will:

  • Discover the Black Church’s richhistory of pairing orthodoxy and orthopraxy in its public witness.
  • Learn how this history can transform today's polarized politics.
  • Explore how to value both social justice and moral order for a faithful Christian witness.

This book is not just for the Black church—it’s a call for the whole church to bear public witness in a distinctly Christian way. Whether you’re politically engaged or disillusioned by the brokenness of Christian public witness today, Don’t LetNobody Turn You Around will inspire you to act with courage, conviction, and Christ-likeness. Choose witness over culture war, and get your copy today.

REVIEWS

"Justin Giboney is in a category all by himself—so is this book. Giboney is one of those emerging leaders who merits careful attention not merely because of charisma but more so from depth of insight and careful reflection. He's a strange mix of Tim Keller and Martin Luther King Jr. wrapped up in his own personality and voice. The church was born in the public square from the day of Pentecost onward. Sadly today, the church has come to view the public square as a boxing ring instead of a living room where we can have public discourse without having to vilify those we disagree with. This book charts a new path to engagement and witness for followers of Jesus in a public way. Giboney will make everyone uncomfortable at some point, but he will also make everyone think if they are willing."Bob Roberts, president of the Center for Global Faith and host of the Bold Love Podcast
"In this bold and necessary work, Justin Giboney challenges the Black church to reclaim its historic role as a moral compass and cultural bridge. With theological depth and cultural clarity, he reminds us that our public witness is not about choosing sides in a culture war but about standing firmly on the side of truth, justice, and redemptive love. This book is a call to courage, conviction, and collective responsibility. It's not just a must-read. It is truly a revival of the spirit in print."Barbara Williams-Skinner, president of Skinner Leadership Institute
"Here in Birmingham, Alabama, I often teach about the civil rights movement as the most effective faith-based movement for social change in American history. Justin Giboney honors such heroes as Fred Shuttlesworth and commends their example for today in this informative, provocative book."Collin Hansen, editor in chief and vice president for content at The Gospel Coalition and host of the Gospelbound podcast
"Through brilliant historical analysis, personal storytelling, and practical wisdom, Giboney invites Christians to better steward our public witness. This book is encouragement for Christians on the front lines of political engagement, inspirationfor those on the sidelines who've been hesitant of Christians being politically involved, and hope for those disillusioned by injustice. Drawing on a legacy of activism and pointing readers to the power of our faith, Giboney reminds you that your public witness matters and that God has always used his people to be change makers in the earth."Sarita T. Lyons, author of Church Girl: A Gospel Vision to Encourage and Challenge Black Christian Women
"Justin Giboney has given us a masterpiece—a Christian, historical, political masterpiece. Giboney shows that the African American fight for justice was not just a church movement but a biblically based, unabashedly Christ-centered movement. Then,with the steadfast faith of God's Black disciples of the past serving as both standard and example, he addresses—and undresses—America's contemporary culture war. In reading this, we modern day Christians will be humbled but also inspired, inspiredto follow their lead in bringing God's truth to bear on today's most vexing challenges."Chris Broussard, sports reporter and founder of The K.I.N.G. Movement
"This book calls us to draw wisdom from the past as we navigate the challenges ahead. It is a vital read—both timely and transformative!"Lisa Victoria Fields, CEO of the Jude 3 Project and author of When Faith Disappoints
"Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around is a fascinating look at the Black church's role in navigating cultural conflicts. The author proposes that believers are obligated to share the complete gospel without conforming to worldly ways. Historically, Christian leaders have faced the choice of engaging in divisive cultural battles or exemplifying kingdom values through their words and actions. This tension persists today, challenging believers to maintain a distinct and transformative publicwitness. The book emphasizes that Christians should not assign their witness to political or ideological groups, especially when such groups misrepresent Christian values. Instead, believers are called to pursue justice and speak truth in love, following the Black church's tradition of social action. I believe it is a must-read for believers who have influence in today’s culture."John K. Jenkins Sr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden
"In our era of extreme polarization and political partisanship, Justin Giboney's close study of how the historic Black church held together orthodoxy, piety, and social justice is vital and instructive. Giboney moves us past superficial engagements with the high-profile leaders of the movement and acquaints us with lesser known but equally important pastors and activists like Fred Shuttlesworth and Fannie Lou Hamer. This book is required reading for every Christian who wonders how to be courageous and faithful amid the challenges we face in our present moment."Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night
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CONTENTS

Foreword by Esau McCaulley
Introduction: You've Gotta Move: Reconstruction and the Emergence of the Black Church Social Action Tradition

1. It's Time to Make a Change: The Civil Rights Generation and the Spirit of the Tradition
2.On the Battlefield: Black Christians and the White American Culture War
3. A Wretch like Me: How We View Others and Ourselves
4. Getting the Spirit: Engaging with the Fruit of the Spirit
5. Jesus, You're the Center: Centering the Faith in Our Cultural and Political Engagement
6. We Are Sharing: Uplift Through Pluralism and Critique
7. Ain't That Good News: The Flaws of Conservatism
8. You Will Surely Drift Away: The Flaws of Progressivism
9. I Know the Lord Will Makea Way: Moral Imagination
10. God Don't Want No Coward Soldier

Acknowledgments
Notes

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BONUS MATERIAL

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ABOUT Justin Giboney

Justin Giboney

Justin E. Giboney (JD, Vanderbilt University) is the cofounder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization focused on raising civic literacy, promoting civic pluralism, and equipping Christians to engage politics with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. An ordained minister, attorney, and political strategist, Giboney has been featured in publications such as the New York Times and Christianity Today and is the coauthor of the book Compassion (&) Conviction. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and three sons.

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