Against Cheap Grace in a World Come of Age: An Intellectual Biography of Clayton Powell, 1865-1953

Clayton Powell (1865-1953) was one of a very few African-American religious, cultural, and social leaders of his era to oppose what he called the cheap grace of racist conservative and liberal ideologies in what he called a world come of age. His use of what a sociologist and several philosophers called the emotionalization of the ideal changed his congregations, cities, and nation, as well as one German Sunday school teacher - Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Ralph Garlin Clingan explores Powell’s role as a radical, progressive prophet with a well thought out program of emotionalizing the ideal of the meek, universal love of Jesus Christ, the center of his life and ideal church, and raising a standard for his community and the world. Powell is discussed in the context of his sources, current Bonhoeffer scholarship, and today’s issues.