The Inconvenient Gospel: A Southern Prophet Tackles War, Wealth, Race and Religion
By Clarence Jordan, edited by Frederick L. Downing (Plough Publishing)
One reviewer described The Inconvenient Gospel as “what drinking from a fire hydrant would be like if a fire hydrant occasionally spewed fire.”
This little book does pack some heat. Known by many in the mid-20th-century American South as an integrationist agitator, Clarence Jordan went toe to toe with the likes of the Ku Klux Klan and its Baptist pastor enablers. Commenting on the Ten Commandments while with students at Goshen College, he charged both the Klan and those Baptist pastors supporting it with violating the second commandment by creating a “God” who blesses their racism.
Jordan’s language is straightforward. He doesn’t beat around more than about one bush. His personal anecdotes create immediate connection with blue-collar workers and people who work the land. For example, his telling of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey is informed by his own experience plowing behind mules. His psychological analysis of the Gadarean demoniac—which Jordan conjoins with the prodigal son story—places us in both men’s shoes.
Jordan was incisive. He calls balls and strikes on the seductions of money and military might. On other matters, such as his idea of Jesus’ masculinity? Well, he was, as they say, a man of his time.
He also was funny. Not only is this collection of Jordan’s thoughts peppered with heat; it also is sprinkled with humor, the kind of sugar that helps the medicine go down. Jordan digs at segregationists, Republicans and the Confederacy with wicked wit. His interaction with a Klansman inspires nervous laughter, but laughter nonetheless.
Whether you agree or disagree with Jordan about such things as social justice and Jesus’ foreknowledge, one has to grant he knew how to communicate with everyday people. More well-intended spiritual leaders could use that gift. Reading this book is a good introductory lesson.
Eric Black, executive director/publisher/editor
Baptist Standard
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