Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice
A History of Christians in Action
$85.94
- Hardcover
352 pages
- Release Date
29 July 2025
Summary
“Readers will be edified and inspired.” – Publishers Weekly Review, June 2025
“With its lively narrative and discussions of racial justice, readers interested in church history and civil-rights movements will find this volume appealing.” – Booklist Review, July 2025
“Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice is a meticulous history of the roots of racial inequality that highlights little-known Christians who worked for change.”
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781514009987 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1514009986 |
| Author: | Karen J. Johnson |
| Publisher: | IVP Academic |
| Imprint: | IVP Academic |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 352 |
| Release Date: | 29 July 2025 |
| Weight: | 608g |
| Dimensions: | 229mm x 152mm x 27mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
“A book for such a time as this. From the opening sentence—’Race has mattered throughout American and American church history, and it continues to shape our lives in ways we may not even see’—Karen Johnson shines a light on this truth through the stories of twentieth-century Christians who humbly lived as though race matters. Here at Koinonia Farm, we are grateful that Karen lived among us for a time, absorbing the spirit of our community and Clarence Jordan’s witness. She chose him as one ofher ordinary heroes, writing, ‘He insisted that faithful Christian witness demanded that White Christians share spiritual, social, and economic fellowship as equals with all Christians—including Black ones.’ Karen echoes Saint Benedict in insistingthat this call must come through all humility. Read this book—a humble demand.”
Bren Dubay, director of Koinonia Farm
With its lively narrative and discussions of racial justice, readers interested in church history and civil-rights movements will find this volume appealing.”Booklist Review, July 2025
Readers will be edified and inspired.”Publishers Weekly Review, June 2025
“Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice is an extraordinary recounting of pain-filled history. This thought provoking, self-revealing, challenging book chronicles a beautiful and painful time in history that is well worth your time to read, if you are interested in investigating whether you may be on the right side of history today in 2025. This book can potentially lead you to a deeper understanding of those around you and of Christ and our living a disciple’s life.”
Scottye Holloway, president of The Mendenhall Ministries
“In this bewildering moment for church and society, Karen Johnson’s book is not just timely but a breath of fresh air. With all the care of a great historian and all the wisdom of a committed believer, she recounts true stories about imperfect people who nevertheless did the small faithful thing right in front of them—and to remarkable effect. Readers will find here not only a trustworthy window into the past but also sparks of inspiration toward a more faithful future.”
Heath W. Carter, associate professor of American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary
Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice is a meticulous history of the roots of racial inequality that highlights little-known Christians who worked for change.”Foreword Reviews, July/August 2025
About The Author
Karen J. Johnson
Karen J. Johnson (PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago) is professor of history and chair of the history department at Wheaton College. Her expertise is in the history of religion and race in America. She is the author of One in Christ: Chicago Catholics and the Quest for Interracial Justice and coeditor of Understanding and Teaching Religion in US History.
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