Synopses & Reviews
Sourcing the major traditions of progressive Christian social ethics--social gospel liberalism, Niebuhrian realism, and liberation theology--Gary Dorrien argues for the social-ethical necessity of social justice politics. In carefully reasoned essays, he focuses on three subjects: the ethics and politics of economic justice, racial and gender justice, and antimilitarism, making a constructive case for economic democracy, along with a liberationist understanding of racial and gender justice and an anti-imperial form of liberal internationalism.
In Dorrien's view, the three major discourse traditions of progressive Christian social ethics share a fundamental commitment to transform the structures of society in the direction of social justice. His reflections on these topics feature innovative analyses of major figures, such as Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr, James Burnham, Norman Thomas, and Michael Harrington, and an extensive engagement with contemporary intellectuals, such as Rosemary R. Ruether, Katie Cannon, Gregory Baum, and Cornel West. Dorrien also weaves his personal experiences into his narrative, especially his involvement in social justice movements. He includes a special chapter on the 2008 presidential campaign and the historic candidacy of Barack Obama.
Review
andldquo;A magisterial treatment of a neglected stream of American religious history presented by one of this generationandrsquo;s premier interpreters of modern religious thought performing at the top of his game.andrdquo;andmdash;William Stacy Johnson, Princeton Theological Seminary andnbsp;andnbsp;
Review
andldquo;This is classic Dorrienandmdash;beautifully written, cogent, and moving.andnbsp; Ever the careful historian, ethicist, and astute cultural critic, Dorrien has penned another must read book for general readers and scholars alike.andrdquo;andmdash;Emilie M. Townes, Vanderbilt Divinity School
Review
andldquo;Gracefully written and carefully researched, Dorrienand#39;s
The New Abolition is an impressive recovery of W.E.B. Du Boisand#39;s relationship to the black social gospel. Anyone seeking to understand the historic contours of race, religion, and social activism in the 20th century absolutely must read this book.andrdquo;andmdash;Juan M. Floyd-Thomas, Vanderbilt University
Review
andldquo;Gary Dorrienandrsquo;s impressively researched and riveting account of W. E. B. DuBois and the black social gospel is the most comprehensive treatment of an extremely crucial, yet woefully overlooked dimension of black political history and the role of black churches and religious thinkers within it. It changes our understanding of the religious and political history of African Americans and challenges churches and political institutions of today to reclaim the mantle and of the prophetic, at times even radical, mission of the black social gospel.andrdquo;andmdash; Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., Columbia University
Synopsis
The black social gospel emerged from the trauma of Reconstruction to ask what a andldquo;new abolitionandrdquo; would require in American society. It became an important tradition of religious thought and resistance, helping to create an alternative public sphere of excluded voices and providing the intellectual underpinnings of the civil rights movement. This tradition has been seriously overlooked, despite its immense legacy.
and#160;
In this groundbreaking work, Gary Dorrien describes the early history of the black social gospel from its nineteenth-century founding to its close association in the twentieth century with W. E. B. Du Bois. He offers a new perspective on modern Christianity and the civil rights era by delineating the tradition of social justice theology and activism that led to Martin Luther King Jr.
About the Author
Gary Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. He lives in New York.