Judson Press best-selling author, Marvin A. McMickle, issues a challenge to African American churches, and specifically clergy, to reengage in the political process as active agents so that the issues facing African American communities are addressed. In his latest project, Pulpit & Politics: Separation of Church & State in the Black Church, McMickle seeks to provoke the emergence of a new generation of black preacher-politicians who will move beyond spiritual leadership and into advocacy and social justice.

Pulpit & Politics chronicles the political activism of the African American church in U.S. history, and then examines the leadership role many African American clergy have played in the political process.  It also details the dos and don’ts of church involvement in the political process, and emphasizes the importance of African American churches and of clergy political activism in the future.

“McMickle has provided the nation a useful and practical tool for creating a merger of faith and the public square. He has provided a classic of how preacher/politicians can function in a society without violating the law of God or the law of government. The church and society have suffered in the past because of the lack of intellectual leadership that this book pursues. McMickle has written a blueprint for the way forward-we all should take the journey!”-Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode Sr., President and CEO, Amachi, Inc., Mayor, 1984-1992, City of Philadelphia

In this accessible volume, McMickle examines:

• Religious liberty and the principle of the separation of church and state in the U.S.
• African American political activism-past, present, and future
• Political activism allowed under the law-and political activity that should be avoided
• Challenges for the issue of the separation of church and state as a result ofBarack Obama’s candidacy and reelection campaign

Each chapter includes questions for reflection and action steps to be taken in light of the readings and the discussion.

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