Judson Press book calls for engagement in prophetic hope, faithful citizenship in distressing times

VALLEY FORGE, PA (2/15/17)—Given the current mood in the country and the moral and ethical dilemmas the nation faces, how is the church to respond during and after the presidency of Donald J. Trump? In his new release, “The Fierce Urgency of Prophetic Hope,” judge, pastor and prophet Wendell L. Griffen, D.Div., offers leadership on how to deal with the challenges and opportunities of being people of prophetic hope in a divisive time.

In this collection of sermons, Griffen challenges social justice-minded followers of Jesus to re-examine and embrace the radical gospel of Jesus Christ and the generosity of God’s love in confronting and overcoming racism, sexism, imperialism, materialism, militarism, techno-centrism and xenophobia.

Endorsements for “The Fierce Urgency of Prophetic Hope” have been strong. Noted scholar, theologian and author Walter Brueggemann proclaims, “This book is an act of bold courage and imagination–just what we need!”

The Rev. Dr. Iva Carruthers, general secretary of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, says, “Wendell Griffen reminds clergy and lay persons of God’s call to prophetic witness and prophetic citizenship on the journey toward liberation and justice. ‘The Fierce Urgency of Prophetic Hope’ is a special gift to those who seek answers and direction to God’s will in times of despair.”

Molly T. Marshall, president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, says, “Reading this book kindles a renewed spirit in me for a justice-driven spirituality. I trust it will have the same impact on others.”

Says Patrick R. Anderson, editor of Christian Ethics Today, “Judge Griffen calls us all to be the presence of Christ in the face of unjust, unChristian policies and action,”

Griffen is well-known as a lawyer, jurist, legal educator, religious leader and public speaker. He serves as pastor of New Millennium Church, Little Rock, Ark., and also as judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Arkansas. Griffen is founder and CEO of Griffen Strategic Consulting, which specializes in diversity and inclusion, cultural competency, strategic planning and development, public policy and government relations, legal affairs, and litigation management. He is a member of the board of directors for The Christian Ethics Today Foundation and serves as a trustee of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference. Griffen is author of two blogs: “Wendell Griffen on Cultural Competency” and “Justice Is a Verb.”

Founded in 1824, Judson Press is a publishing ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches USA. It is committed to producing Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of individuals, congregations, communities, and cultures.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists in answering God’s call to promote Christian faith across the United States and Puerto Rico to cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and heal and transform communities, by developing aligned action networks and programs.