Awakening to Justice: Faithful Voices from the Abolitionist Past

by Christopher P. Momany; Doug Strong

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2024

Overview

“O where are the sympathies of Christians for the slave and where are their exertions for their liberation? . . . It seems as if the church were asleep.” —David Ingraham, 1839

In 2015, the historian Chris Momany discovered a manuscript that had been forgotten in a storage closet at Adrian College in Michigan. He identified it as the journal of a nineteenth-century Christian abolitionist and missionary, David Ingraham. As Momany and a fellow historian Doug Strong pored over the diary, they realized that studying this document could open new conversations for twenty-first-century Christians to address the reality of racism today. They invited a multiracial team of fourteen scholars to join in, thus launching the Dialogue on Race and Faith Project.

Awakening to Justice presents the groundbreaking work of these scholars. In addition to reflecting on Ingraham’s journal, chapters also explore the life and writings of two of Ingraham’s Black colleagues, James Bradley and Nancy Prince. Appendixes feature writings by all three abolitionists so readers can engage the primary sources directly.

Through considering connections between the revivalist, holiness, and abolitionist movements; the experiences of enslaved and freed people; abolitionists’ spiritual practices; various tactics used by abolitionists; and other themes, the authors offer insight and hope for Christians concerned about racial justice. They highlight how Christians associated with Charles Finney’s style of revivalism formed intentional, countercultural communities such as Oberlin College to be exemplars of interracial cooperation and equality.

Christians have all too often compromised with racism throughout history, but that’s not the whole story. Hearing the prophetic witness of revivalist social justice efforts in the nineteenth century can provide a fresh approach to today’s conversations about race and faith in the church.

Key Features

• Provides a fresh approach to today's conversations about race and faith in the church
• Feature contributions from a multiracial team of fourteen scholars
• Explores the life and writings of two of Ingraham's Black colleagues, James Bradley and Nancy Prince

Contents

• Prologue—Jemar Tisby
• Introduction: Waking a Sleeping Church
• 1. “How Long, O Lord?” A Narrative of Three Christian Abolitionists—Christopher P. Momany
• 2. “Soul-Destroyers Tore Me from My Mother’s Arms”: West African Resistance to the Slave Trade—Sègbégnon Mathieu Gnonhossou
• 3. “Liberty, Liberty!”: Witnesses to a More Racially Equitable Future—David D. Daniels III
• 4. “Reviving Our Spiritual Strength”: Worship, Justice, and Salvation—R. Matthew Sigler
• 5. “This Holy Cause”: Revivalist Theology and Justice Advocacy—Douglas M. Strong
• 6. “Purified Through Fire”: The Piety and Power of Female Affliction—Diane Leclerc
• 7. “Organized Efforts to Educate and Elevate”: Charitable Aid among Christian Abolitionists—Esther Chung-Kim
• 8. “Made Welcome as Equals”: The Oberlin Experiment in Interracial Christian Community—Albert G. Miller
• Conclusion: A Prophetic Past—Estrelda Y. Alexander
• Appendix A: Timeline of Significant Dates in this Historical Narrative
• Appendix B: James Bradley, “Brief Account of an Emancipated Slave Written by Himself, at the Request of the Editor,” 1834
• Appendix C: Excerpts from the Journal of David S. Ingraham, 1839-1841
• Appendix D: David Ingraham, “Capture of the Ulysses—Sufferings of the Slaves,” 1840
• Appendix E: Excerpts from The Narrative of Nancy Prince, 1853

Praise for the Print Edition

Combating racism and strengthening the beloved community are urgent tasks for all Christians, especially those of us in the United States. The authors of Awakening to Justice have rendered us a great service by revisiting and analyzing key voices from our past. Working with the newly discovered journal of abolitionist David Ingraham and accounts written by his African American colleagues James Bradley and Nancy Prince, these scholars have provided us with a helpful resource for addressing issues of race and faith in our time. It is well worth reading.

—Scott J. Jones, bishop in the Global Methodist Church

Awakening to Justice offers profound insights and issues a compelling call to the church, urging active participation in the work of racial justice. This invitation encompasses the entirety of humanity, transcending White and Black perspectives, making it a relevant message for every church community. Together, your congregation will embark on a journey of meaningful engagement with all individuals, fostering unity and a love for neighbors that will radiate Christ's transformative power in our world today.

—David Chang, lead pastor of Open Door Presbyterian Church

Product Details

• Title: Awakening to Justice: Faithful Voices from the Abolitionist Past
• Authors: Christopher P. Momany, Doug Strong
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2024
• Pages: 240
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:WKNNGJSTCBLTNST
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-11-03T15:29:45Z