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American prophets : seven religious radicals and their struggle for social and political justice

2016

Format:	Book
Author:	Raboteau, Albert J., author.
Title:	American prophets : seven religious radicals and their struggle for social and political justice / Albert J. Raboteau.
Publisher, Date:	Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2016. ©2016
Description:	xvii, 224 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Summary:	Religious scholar Albert Raboteau tells the 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.
Subjects:	Heschel, Abraham Joshua, 1907-1972. Muste, A. J. (Abraham John), 1885-1967. Day, Dorothy, 1897-1980. Thurman, Howard, 1900-1981. Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968. King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968. Hamer, Fannie Lou. Civil rights -- Religious aspects. Civil rights -- Religious aspects -- Christianity. Civil rights -- United States. United States -- Religion -- History -- 20th century.
Genre:	Biographies.
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-212) and index.
Contents:	Abraham Joshua Heschel, prophet of divine pathos -- A.J. Muste: The redemptive power of nonviolent suffering -- Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement: doing the works of mercy -- Howard Thurman: In search of common ground -- Thomas Merton: Contemplation in a world of action -- Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement: Religion in US politics -- "Is this America?" Fannie Lou Hamer and the voices of local people.
LCCN:	2016010944
ISBN:	9780691164304 (hardcover ; alkaline paper) 0691164304 (hardcover ; alkaline paper)
OCLC:	949669083
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Library Journal Review

Raboteau (religion, Princeton Unv.; Slave Religion) presents seven biographical sketches from the 20th century that show the diversity and unity of the prophetic call. Included for consideration are theologian Abraham Heschel and philospher Howard Thurman; monk and mystic Thomas Merton; Dorothy Day, cofounder of the Catholic Worker Movement; clergyman and activist A.J. Muste; and civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Fannie Lou Hamer. Across diverse backgrounds, temperaments, and religious perspectives, one finds in these examples an overwhelming passion for justice and seemingly infinite capacity for compassion. This is demonstrated in a unified voice relating to issues of war, peace, poverty, and human rights. Another illuminating feature of these individuals is that not only did they make a stand and work toward admirable goals, they also identified with the marginalized, stood in their place, and became their voice. In doing so, these American prophets risked their own lives. VERDICT Raboteau offers inspiring and challenging examples of embodied faith in the modern world.-JW © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Brief studies of 20th-century Americans whose deep faith led them to challenge injustice are offered by Raboteau (Slave Religion), a scholar of African-American religious history and professor emeritus of religion at Princeton University. Beginning with the work of Jewish philosopher Abraham Joshua Heschel, who described a prophet as "one who is impelled to speak because he feels the divine pathos like a 'fire in the bones,'" Raboteau then explores the prophetic lives of six Christian activists, some famous (Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Merton) and others perhaps less well known to the general reader (Fannie Lou Hamer, A. J. Muste, Howard Thurman). His concise, skillful analyses show how each of these individuals, drawing inspiration from biblical sources as well as modern exemplars like Mahatma Gandhi, addressed poverty, racism, and militarism. Raboteau draws connections throughout between these "religious radicals," who addressed common causes during 20th-century America's tumultuous history. In his afterword, remembering the nine African-American churchgoers murdered in Charleston in 2015, Raboteau asks-and leaves for the reader to answer-whether last century's prophets for social justice can provide models for future action. This scholarly yet accessible primer to the role of faith in the lives of American activists challenges contemporary notions of the role of religion in politics and argues that empathy is a critical first step in addressing the suffering of others. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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