New Book From Redstone Publishing House Explores Christian Based Racial Justice Work Before The Civil Rights Era

NEW YORK, November 16, 2020 (Newswire.com) - "Our common humanity says that man as man, apart from race and birth and color and sex, is of infinite worth as a child of God and that he must be treated as such by God and man. Here is the hope of human brotherhood."
- Reverend Bernard Gibbs

Before the ministry of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (1929-1968), there were hundreds of other preachers that used the biblical tradition to promote a theology of equality and civil rights. In The Preacher of Morgantown, J.R. Rothstein captures the life of one of these ministers, Rev. Bernard Gibbs (1872-1944), throughout his service in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The unconventional approach of Rev. Gibbs to civil rights work made many of his parishioners uncomfortable, and as a result, his station in the church and society suffered. Despite these challenges, Rev. Gibbs remained committed to the Christian value of equality and lived his life according to the teachings of the bible. Rev. Gibbs wielded Judeo-Christian values as a means to encourage equality between black and white Americans. Although unsuccessful in creating any legislative change, his teachings helped contribute to a generational and national discourse on race relations, especially in West Virginia.

J.R. Rothstein is the author of four books, including the children's book, The Adventures of Rumi and Bixby Bear. J.R. is a Fulbright scholar, real estate attorney, and investor. He enjoys history, nature, and community service. He grew up in Monsey, New York.

Source: Redstone Publishing House