Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church

Edward Gilbreath is the author of Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity. An award-winning journalist, he serves as an editor at large for Christianity Today magazine and as the executive director of communications for the Evangelical Covenant Church. Since the release of Reconciliation Blues, he has spoken to thousands of people across the nation at churches, conferences, and university campuses on issues of race, faith and culture.

"Read the headlines these days, and it can seem like the country is splitting at the seams. The vitriol of our political and cultural debates is enough to make anyone wonder whether the 'better angels of our nature' have gone into permanent hibernation. . . . Reading Edward Gilbreath's Birmingham Revolution has given me a fresh perspective and renewed hope."

"Edward Gilbreath is one of the few writers who manages to capture the intense drama of King's call to ministry, his (at times, controversial) ascension to leadership, and the burden and blessing of trying to realize the beloved community."

"Gilbreath introduces readers to King's more radical and less popular writings and contextualizes the Letter from Birmingham Jail and its influence. . . . worth a read."

"Of the many who have written on Martin Luther King Jr., few have chosen the focus that Gilbreath has taken. He looks at King's legacy from the perspective of an African American evangelical. . . . Gilbreath documents the changing nature of race relations, and reminds us that the civil rights movement as an entity grew out of a regulated structure of injustice. . . . A great book for all interest in King's life, the history of civil rights, or the church's involvement in matters of equality."

"As an evangelical pastor of a multi-ethnic church in New York City, I often find myself at the intersection of lively discussions about race. These conversations almost inevitably lead to a familiar question: What does the church do now? Maybe stated another way, 'How do we work toward the dream of the beloved community?' This is why I find Edward Gilbreath's Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Epic Challenge to the Church to be a timely and necessary read. . . . I recommend reading Birmingham Revolution before engaging the familiar 'I have a dream' each January. Adding dimension to the historic civil rights movement helps us take seriously the pitfalls and promise of the hard work of racial reconciliation today."

"Gilbreath's Birmingham Revolution is both a personal reflection and revelation as well as historical examination. And is right on time in a country where many think we've moved past racism, simply because we have a black president. Gilbreath's gently confrontational book paints a picture of the life and times of Martin Luther King Jr. . . . As believers it is important to come down, not just on the right side of history, but of the gospel and God's imperative for justice. . . . As Gilbreath chides some for not having grace for King's personal shortcomings or due appreciation of his role both as prophet and cultural and legal change agent, he also, like King himself, calls us to self-examination, courage, and prayerful action."

"Not only will readers come away with an understanding of King and his work, they also will see ongoing cultural debates with new eyes. Highly recommend this well-written, thoroughly researched book."