Description

This volume critically and constructively examines Jeremiah Wright Jr.'s life and legacy, focusing on his patriotic promotion of inclusion within the church and society.
The mainstream media disrespectfully reduced Wright to a viral soundbite. The condemnation of Wright and the devaluing of his name and contributions testify to how black liberation theology and black prophetic witness and activism have been misunderstood by Christians in the United States across racial lines. The contributors offer a nuanced discussion of Wright's sermons, ministry, and legacy. By revisiting Wright's controversial sermons in the context of racial injustices during the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, we contend that Wright exemplified a commitment to prophetic patriotism and courageously spoke the truth about national sins despite the costs. Prophetic patriotism has been and remains necessary to inspire America to strive to fulfill its noble democratic ideals.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.: The Person and the Prophet, John W. Kinney
Acknowledgments
Introduction, Jonathan Chism
Chapter 1: “If You's Black... Get Back”: The Radical Dissent of Jeremiah A Wright Jr., Frank Thomas
Chapter 2: “Have You Heard the Whole Sermon?”: The Sermonic Militancy of Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A Wright, Jr., Earle J. Fisher
Chapter 3: “They Persecuted the Prophets”: Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright's Proximity to the Biblical and Black Prophetic Traditions, Jonathan Chism
Chapter 4: B.A.S.I.C. Preaching: Jeremiah Wright's Homiletic as a Model for Pastoral Prophetic Communication, LaMont Johnson
Chapter 5: “A Deep, Deep Love of a Hated People”: Jeremiah Wright's “God Damn” Rhetoric and the Roots of Black Prophetic Preaching, Michael W. Waters
Chapter 6: The Vision and Voice of a Pastor and Prophet: An Insider's Exploration of the Prophetic Preaching of Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Reggie Williams
Chapter 7: “Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian:” Analyzing the Impact of Public Opinion on Jeremiah Wright's Pastoral Legacy, Darius M. Benton
Chapter 8: The Promised Land's Prophet: Rev. Jeremiah Wright as a Modern-Day Moses, Carla D. Brailey
Conclusion: An Interview with Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr. and Reverend Jeri Wright
Afterword A Living Libation: What Makes You So Strong?, Iva E. Carruthers
Index

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published 04 Sep 2025
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 240
ISBN 9781666956214
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Illustrations 1 bw illus; 4 tables
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Anthology Editor

Jonathan Chism

Jonathan Chism is Associate Professor of History a…

Anthology Editor

LaMont Johnson

LaMont Johnson is an independent scholar and Visit…

Contributor

Jonathan Chism

Jonathan Chism is Associate Professor of History a…

Contributor

Earle J. Fisher

Contributor

LaMont Johnson

LaMont Johnson is an independent scholar and Visit…

Contributor

Frank Thomas

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