The Baptist faith I grew up with, at its best, tries to transform the world by living out values alien to contemporary society. Clarence Jordan, a son of Georgia in the American South, paid attention to his Christian upbringing, but as an adult, realized that American society often did not follow Jesus Christ’s lead. Religion was often kept in the walls of the church instead of being practiced on the street. This collection of writings, with two forewords to provide historical context, exemplify the beliefs that animated this radical Southern pastor who had the gall to value his religion above his nation.
Jordan went on to found an agricultural community in southern Georgia that sought to embody the racial and economic equality that he read about in the New Testament. This fellowship, called Koinonia after the Greek word for community, was founded a couple of decades before the Civil Rights’ movement. Living in the early-to-mid twentieth century, he and his community faced hateful opposition from the Jim Crow south. Yet Jordan persisted in sharing a radical vision inspired by Jesus Christ’s words and life.
Modern Southern Baptists would likely take theological issue with the liberties Jordan takes on the Bible. But it’s hard not to admire how his life and practices reflected the very message of that Bible. As these writings and addresses make clear, he consistently focused on how his religion’s actions were coming out of its beliefs. Thus, his focus honed in on social, even political, issues like war, riches, and race.
I did not know the name of Clarence Jordan before I picked up this book. I was impressed that both Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jimmy Carter knew him personally. I liked how Jordan did not trip up on how to interpret the Biblical text in words but rather looked at interpreting the text in action. Religious people, particularly Christians and particularly Baptists, can benefit from this focus. This short collection of writings can aid them in fanning faith’s flame on the inside and putting it in compassionate practice on the outside.
The Inconvenient Gospel: A Southern Prophet Tackles War, Wealth, Race, and Religion
By Clarence Jordan
Edited by Frederick L. Downing
Copyright (c) 2022
Plough
ISBN13 9781636080284
Page Count: 114
Genre: Religious, Christianity
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