American Prophets: Seven Religious Radicals and Their Struggle for Social and Political Justice - Hardcover

Raboteau, Albert J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691164304 ISBN 13: 9780691164304

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2016

Synopsis

A "powerful text" (Tavis Smiley) about how religion drove the fight for social justice in modern America

American Prophets sheds critical new light on the lives and thought of seven major prophetic figures in twentieth-century America whose social activism was motivated by a deeply felt compassion for those suffering injustice.

In this compelling and provocative book, acclaimed religious scholar Albert Raboteau tells the remarkable stories of Abraham Joshua Heschel, A. J. Muste, Dorothy Day, Howard Thurman, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Fannie Lou Hamer―inspired individuals who succeeded in conveying their vision to the broader public through writing, speaking, demonstrating, and organizing. Raboteau traces how their paths crossed and their lives intertwined, creating a network of committed activists who significantly changed the attitudes of several generations of Americans about contentious political issues such as war, racism, and poverty. Raboteau examines the influences that shaped their ideas and the surprising connections that linked them together. He discusses their theological and ethical positions, and describes the rhetorical and strategic methods these exemplars of modern prophecy used to persuade their fellow citizens to share their commitment to social change.

A momentous scholarly achievement as well as a moving testimony to the human spirit, American Prophets represents a major contribution to the history of religion in American politics. This book is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about social justice, or who wants to know what prophetic thought and action can mean in today's world.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"Albert Raboteau is the legendary godfather of Afro-American religious studies. He also is one of the exemplary spiritual radicals of our time. This wise and courageous book solidifies both well-deserved reputations."--Cornel West

"Albert Raboteau's magnificent American Prophets is a book that will make our hearts soar. Courageous, wise, and deeply compassionate, Raboteau's prophets are political activists--Jews and Christians, blacks and whites, men and women--imbued with a deep faith in God and humanity. An inspiring journey into the inner lives of extraordinary human beings."--Susannah Heschel, author of The Aryan Jesus: Christian Theologians and the Bible in Nazi Germany

"Albert Raboteau has written a powerful book for these troubled times. With biographical sketches and insightful analyses, he has called forth ‘a cloud of witnesses' to illustrate the power of faith and courage in the ongoing confrontation with evil. This is a must-read for anyone who needs an example of faith in action. More importantly, it is a must-read for anyone willing to work for a better world."--Eddie S. Glaude Jr., author of Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul

"American Prophets addresses, beautifully and with great wisdom, issues and questions that have again jumped to the forefront of American consciousness. Raboteau is a wonderfully accessible and graceful writer, and his topic is riveting."--Cathleen Kaveny, author of Prophecy without Contempt: Religious Discourse in the Public Square

"Compelling. Raboteau renews our understanding of what prophetic thought--and calls to action--really look like."--Barbara Dianne Savage, author of Your Spirits Walk Beside Us: The Politics of Black Religion

"A powerful text, empowering to read. I highly recommend it."--Tavis Smiley

About the Author

Albert J. Raboteau is the Henry W. Putnam Professor of Religion Emeritus at Princeton University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0691164304
• ISBN 13: 9780691164304
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248