Though many have attempted to secularize the story, Charles Marsh has documented how the civil rights movement, especially from 1955 to 1964, was a church-centered, Christian movement in pursuit of “beloved community.” In this episode, we discuss why the movement began to fragment after 1964 and how John Perkins became one of the leading voices of biblical reconciliation in the American Church today. The episode concludes with a personal conversation with John Perkins on race and love and the Church’s vital role in our divisive times.
Charles Marsh is the Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies and the Director of the Project on Lived Theology at the University of Virginia. He is an expert on modern Christian thought with a particular emphasis on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the role of faith within the civil rights movement. Professor Marsh is the author of several award-winning books, including God’s Long Summer: Stories of Faith and Civil Rights and The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice from the Civil Rights Movement to Today.
John Perkins is a pastor, leader, and best-selling author who has devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and reconciliation specifically from a Christian perspective. Dr. Perkins is the founder of Voice of Calvary Ministries and co-founder of the Christian Community Development Association. He is the author of several books, including One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love which represents the culmination of his life’s work and calling to biblical reconciliation.
God’s Long Summer: Stories of Faith and Civil Rights, by Charles Marsh
The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice from the Civil Rights Movement to Today, by Charles Marsh
Let Justice Roll Down, by John Perkins
One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love, by John Perkins
