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.
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
Jonathan Chism is Associate Professor of History at the University of Houston-Downtown, USA. LaMont Johnson is an independent scholar and Visiting Professor of Practical Theology at Turner Theological Seminary, USA.
Reviews for Black Prophetic Patriotism: Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr.’s, Message, Ministry, and Legacy
The proclamation of Jeremiah Wright’s unequivocal impact on faith, social justice, and political thought illuminates the significance of his scholarship in shaping the spiritual and political consciousness of marginalized communities through the lens of Black liberation theology. Wright’s legacy, situated within this dynamic work, exemplifies the immeasurable and substantial history of Black religious thought, and offers clear insight into Dr. Wright’s enduring influence on contemporary discourse around race, religion, and justice. Beyond noteworthy, this volume stands tall in communicating the message and the meaning of prophetic patriotism through the ministry and legacy of a notable African American prophet and priest. * Wayne E. Croft, Sr, Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr. Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics in African American Studies at United Lutheran Seminary, USA; Pastor, St. Paul’s Baptist Church West Chester, USA *
