The Inconvenient Gospel: A Southern Prophet Tackles War, Wealth, Race, and Religion

by Clarence Jordan, Frederick L. Downing (Editor)

"Clarence Jordan spoke with an unwavering prophetic voice. He firmly rejected materialism, militarism, and racism as obstacles to authentic faith... He was a fearless and innovative defender of human rights." --President Jimmy Carter

On 440 depleted acres in Sumter County, Georgia, a young Baptist preacher and farmer named Clarence Jordan gathered a few families and set out to show that Jesus intended more than spiritual fellowship. Like the first Christians, they would share their land, money, and possessions. Working together to rejuvenate the soil and the local economy, they would demonstrate racial and social justice with their lives.

Black and white community members eating together at the same table scandalized local Christians, drew the ire of the KKK, and led to drive-by shootings, a firebombing, and an economic boycott.

This bold experiment in nonviolence, economic justice, and sustainable agriculture was deeply rooted in Clarence Jordan's understanding of the person and teachings of Jesus, which stood in stark contrast to the hypocrisy of churches that blessed wars, justified wealth disparity, and enforced racial segregation. "You can't put Christianity into practice," Jordan wrote, "You can't make it work. As desperately as it is needed in this poor, broken world, it is not a philosophy of life to be 'tried.' Nor is it a social or ethical ideal which has tantalized humankind with the possibility of attainment. For Christianity is not a system you work - it is a Person who works you."

This selection from his talks and writings introduces Clarence Jordan's radically biblical vision to a new generation of peacemakers, community builders, and activists.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Politics, Social Justice, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality

152 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short book, The Inconvenient Gospel, contains writings about and by Clarence Jordan, a seminary trained minister, who followed Christ by living out his beliefs. He did this by bringing into existence a Christian community that provided physical and spiritual sustenance to its multi cultural dwellers. His voice applies as well to current times as it did in the 1950's and 1960's. Important reading for every Christian as we ask what it really means to follow Christ.

My thanks to the publisher, Plough Publishing House, who provided me with a hard copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Sally Shadrach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! Jordan was wise and his practice of Christianity was radically inclusive and representative of the life of Jesus. Made me want to learn more about communal christian living

[Francesca Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone should read this. so revolutionary and so relevant today. except for the part he says jesus must have been a REAL MAN. that was funny. ok maybe jesus was super masculine who am i to know but like why is that relevant. anyway really beautiful and inspiring and such a good reminder of what is important!!!

[Miriam Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Inconvenient Gospel" is a selection of the talks and writings of Clarence Jordan, a farmer, preacher, and Bible scholar, who founded Koinonia Farm, a pacifist interracial Christian community in Georgia, USA. It consisted of 440 depleted acres, where Christians of different races pooled land and money to create “a demonstration plot for the kingdom of God. Like the first century Christians, they shared everything they possessed, working together to rejuvenate the soil and revive the local economy. In doing so, they would demonstrate racial and social justice with their lives. Clarence Jordan spoke with a crystal-clear prophetic voice. He was unwavering and relentless in his pursuit of God. He unequivocally rejected materialism, militarism, and racism as obstacles to the authentic faith of Jesus Christ. He fearlessly believed that greater change can happen in this world by living an authentic Christian life. Clarence Jordan bravely lived out the Gospel that he so fearlessly preached with exemplary courage and a highly contagious sense of humor. I am deeply honored to review "The Inconvenient Gospel" by Clarence Jordan. He did not hesitate to embrace Christ’s suffering, at any cost. As part of a community of Christ in this world, it helps us to see our own unique place in history. The vision of Clarence Jordan will survive for eternity. I am grateful to God that such a man lived and left such an enduring legacy for others to follow in his daring footsteps. Clarence Jordan embodied the cross and walked the talk. His bold experiment in nonviolence, economic justice, and sustainable agriculture was deeply rooted in his understanding of the Person and teachings of Jesus. “You can’t put Christianity into practice,” Clarence Jordan wrote, “Christianity is not a philosophy of life to be ‘tried.’ Christianity is not a system you work – it is a Person who works you.” I highly recommend this deeply inspiring book to teach Clarence Jordan’s radically biblical vision to a new generation of peacemakers, community builders, and social activists. United as one in Christ, we can strive to make a difference in this world in which we live. Let us not underestimate the powerful fact that "one with Christ is a majority."

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarence Jordan is a young Baptist preacher and farmer. He has decided to take a few families to show that Christianity is more than “spiritual fellowship.” He has decided that they will live as the first Christians did — they would share land, money and possessions. Unfortunately the local Christians could not abide seeing black and white peoples it ting down and eating at the same table. It irked the KkK clan leading to drive-by shootings and more. They were financially boycotted through the local economy. This experiment showed the hypocrisy of churches that blessed wars, justified wealth disparity, and enforced racial segregation. However Clarence felt that from his writings and talks would cause a new generation of peacemakers and antiracist activists. While I appreciate this nonfiction book about Clarence Jordan, it does make me wonder if he would appreciate today’s antiracist activists.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really Liked It

This book opens with a brief biographical sketch of who Clarence Jordan was and then includes a short collection of his writings. Jordan was a modern day prophet who was active from the 1940-60s in the Southern United States. He founded a multi-racial community in Georgia that ended up being targeted by the KKK. His writings call out the hypocrisy of the Southern "Christians" during his day and also include some great theological insights! The book includes talks on the meaning of fellowship, the proper usage of the Scriptures, an interpretation of the ten commandments, and more. Each sermonette is only a few pages long, which makes this short book an easy read. His writing style is very fun and engaging, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future! Highly recommend!

[Debra Slonek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed being introduced to and getting to know Clarence Jordan through this collection of his thoughts, speeches, teachings and writings.

I really wish that I could have met and sat under the teachings of Clarence Jordan. He chose, again and again, to follow Jesus. He exhibited true love for all of his neighbors by making stands on controversial social issues. This man walked the walk while talking the talk.

My favorite chapter was the one on The Ten Commandments. It is filled with so many good thoughts and explanations of this portion of scripture.

I highly recommend this relatively short book. It is proof positive that good things come in small packages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Plough Publishing House through the Amazon Vine Program. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Jason Frasca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well collection of audio snippets from Clarence Jordan that are organized, dated and commented on. Even though these are comments that originated approximated 60 years ago, I am stunned by how they are still very relevant today. I recommend all read this and reflect on our current culture.

[Adeline]

The Bible with the extra stuff cut out. "Become poor with the poor. Not giving them a handout but handing out your life."

[Deep Frey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the essays/excerpts were stronger than others. I particularly liked the chapter white southern Christians and race.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book presents the message of Clarence Jordan (1912-1969), a preacher, scholar, and farmer, who, in 1942, had the daring idea of founding Koinonia Farm, “an interracial, pacifist communal experiment” in southern Georgia.

After a brief biography at the beginning, selections of his speeches and writings follow, some of which resonated with me more than others. His style and tone are approachable and accessible, his teachings still timely. Take, for instance, this quotation from a sermon he gave at Goshen College in 1965:
“We will never enter into a kingdom of brotherhood with lines of segregation all about us. Our minds have to be changed and, in time, our structures will have to be changed.”

Against the backdrop of the segregated South, Jordan deftly reminds us how Jesus didn’t select just one group of people to welcome into His flock; He gathered together Gentiles and Jews, a tax collector and fishermen as his disciples – i.e., people of various races and socio-economic statuses. Jesus wasn’t checking one’s race at His door, unlike the church Mr. Jordan attended, which, in 1950, “voted to expel Clarence and the other Koinonians from the church because they had ‘brought people of other races into their services.’”

Despite this censure, Mr. Jordan wasn’t deterred from living by example Jesus’s koinonia – living in fellowship, with equality. By establishing and sustaining Koinonia Farm, he put it into concrete action. In Chapter 2, "The Meaning of Christian Fellowship," he states that, to Jesus, “love was definite, positive. Perhaps John was quoting him when he wrote: ‘Let us put our love not into words or into talk but into deeds, and make it real’ (1 John 3:18)."

I’m inspired to look for more information about Mr. Jordan and Koinonia Farm (it still exists!). I hadn’t heard of either prior to this book, and am so grateful that I was presented with the opportunity to review it.

NB: If this type of book sounds like your cup of tea, you might be interested to learn that this is the latest in a series of books from Plough Publishing, titled Plough Spiritual Guides: Backpack Classics, featuring other spiritual thought leaders such as Dorothy Day, Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Óscar Romero.

Thank you to Plough Publishing House and Edelweiss for providing me with this ARC to review.

[G. Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Jordan's life or legacy, and was left hungry for more after reading this sample of his work. Even at the moments I thought he was stretching a Gospel story's application (connecting the Gadarenes demoniac to the prodigal son, downplaying the supernatural element), the piece made its point clearly. I also appreciated how his points usually circle back to recognizing the Gospel is countercultural, counterintuitive, and yet vital.
He also has with a straightforward style that makes it easy to read the work in any sitting. That's not to say you won't be thinking about the implications for a long time.

[Daniel Silliman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An up-close look at a man who was as radical as he was evangelical, and radical because he was evangelical. The Inconvenient Gospel is not a blueprint, but it offers the reader and opportunity to catch the Spirit.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: A collection of the talks and writings of Clarence Jordan, rooted in the teaching of Jesus, drawing out the radical implications this has for war, wealth disparity, civil rights, and true community.

I’ve known of Clarence Jordan for many years but it wasn’t until this collection of his writings crossed my path that I read him. I knew he was a Baptist preacher in the south, that he wrote his own paraphrase of the gospels, The Cotton Patch Gospels, and that he helped form an integrated farming community, Koinonia Farms, in the face of great opposition. One can learn all this and more in Frederick Downing’s fine introduction to this collection.

What I learned in reading this collection was that here was a man who really was formed more by his reading of the gospels than the culture and I think this comes through in every piece in this collection. He makes this radical claim in the first piece, “Impractical Christianity”: “For Christianity is not a system you work–it is a Person who works you. You don’t get it; he gets you.” In “The Meaning of Christian Fellowship,” he elaborates the meaning of koinonia: common ownership, distribution according to need, and the complete equality and freedom of every believer. In “What is the Word of God,” he emphasizes the priority of the living Word and that scripture must never be a prison for the living Word but rather a witness to him. He forcefully challenges White Supremacy in “White Southern Christians and Race” by contending 1) there is no scientific basis for inferiority or superiority of any race over the other, 2) there is no biblical evidence that God has favorite children, and 3) differences are differences, not signs of superiority or inferiority.

“No Promised Land without the Wilderness” sets out the challenge every true leader of God’s people will face–criticism when things are harder or don’t go the way people expected. In his talk at Goshen College on the Ten Commandments, he stresses the idea that the laws were given out of love–that we not so much break laws but break ourselves upon them. He emphasizes, in “Jesus, Leader of the Poor,” the kind of king Jesus was in sitting on a “mule whereon no man had ever sat,” humorously remarking on his own attempts to sit on such a mule, concluding that he was still “a mule whereon no man had ever sat”! Yet Jesus sits on this lowly yet recalcitrant animal. In “Love Your Enemies,” he recounts a confrontation with the insults of a segregationist with whom he could have easily mopped the floor. Asked why he didn’t, he said that he was trying to obey the command to love his enemies–or at least do him no harm, leading to a conversation on what it means to be a Christian.

“Jesus and Possessions” talks about the distorting power of possessions over us. “Metamorphosis” speaks of the transforming power of the gospel, one that takes two people who would have been at each other’s throats, Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot and turns them into brothers. In “The Man from Gadara,” he explores how this demoniac could have come to lose his own self to a legion of demons. He raises questions about societal hypocrisy–why pigs in a land where no one is supposed to eat pigs?–and raises questions about teaching children not to kill and then sending them to war, and what that does to one, anticipating the traumas of PTSD we see with so many war veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. “Things Needed for our Peace” was a talk given four weeks after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and draws on Jesus’ words approaching Jerusalem, speaking to the needs for racial humility, for an understanding of violence, and that Christian faithfulness may lead, not to success, but the cross, and, if we survive, to a new attitude of servanthood and identification with the hurts of others.

The last in this collection, “The Humanity of God,” returns to the person of Jesus, the concern of Jordan throughout his ministry. He speaks of the attempts of Mary and his earthly family to control him and Mary’s relinquishment of Jesus at the cross, allowing him fully, and finally, to be about his Father’s business. From start to finish, the pieces in this collection face us with the uniqueness of Christ as fully God and human, his authority, and flowing from that his radical call for those who would follow.

This book is part of the Plough Spiritual Guides series. This, as well as the others acquaint us with the best of spiritual reading, which is always to take us into the heart of God to see both great love and unequaled authority. They remind us that there are really only two ways to live and that we can’t have it both ways and that the only good way is the way of the good news, as strange from a worldly view, as it seems. Jordan reminds us that it is both strange and good.

____________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarence Jordan was a true son of the South, born into a century of segregation and violence against a largely poor and uneducated black population. He was a Southern Baptist whose missionary work took him not to a far-off land but to Louisville, Kentucky, where racial realities added to his boyhood experiences of oppression of the black people. Ordained a minister and warning his future wife that pastorate at a First Baptist Church was not his future, he returned to southwest Georgia, and created from 440 acres the racially integrated Koinonia Farm. The expected happened. Threats from the Ku Klux Klan, a bullet crashing through the window narrowly missing his daughter. A massive Klan caravan of cars driving by the farm. The terror of children. Unexpectedly-perhaps-he was told by his own church to get lost; you are not wanted here. From the reality of threats and violence and rejection Jordan created a too short of a life's work of parables in the footsteps of Jesus. Reading these reflections to seminary and college students and ministers one can hear the richness of his Southern dialect, as he retells Christ's call to Peter an Andrew as "y'all come..." Jesus is "My boy" to his Daddy. I am a Southerner by birth, raised Catholic by a mother born Baptist (she had an uncle called to preach plowing a field, and Jordan noted many a mule prompted a call to preaching, while Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on the lowly beast.) The inconvenient Gospel indeed refers to the inconvenience in our consumer obsessed culture and in our need to belong in truly following Jesus. In the fiery time of racial unrest, violence, and war protest, Jordan notes that while the looter with a gun is shot, the looter with a pen may be raised to church deacon. He decries the church in Georgia bragging about its $25,000 fountain in the midst of so much poverty. He identifies with a Jesus not even understood by his mother and later his brothers as he is called to do His Father's will. This is the latest worthy edition in a series embracing the thoughts of Simone Weil, Dorothy Day and Archbishop Oscar Romero (martyred at the altar). All deliver an inconvenient, uncomfortable yet needed message no less valuable in our country today than it was in the mid-20th. century, as politics and religion and power become so blurred within each other.

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Baptist faith I grew up with, at its best, tries to transform the world by living out values alien to contemporary society. Clarence Jordan, a son of Georgia in the American South, paid attention to his Christian upbringing, but as an adult, realized that American society often did not follow Jesus Christ’s lead. Religion was often kept in the walls of the church instead of being practiced on the street. This collection of writings, with two forewords to provide historical context, exemplify the beliefs that animated this radical Southern pastor who had the gall to value his religion above his nation.

Jordan went on to found an agricultural community in southern Georgia that sought to embody the racial and economic equality that he read about in the New Testament. This fellowship, called Koinonia after the Greek word for community, was founded a couple of decades before the Civil Rights’ movement. Living in the early-to-mid twentieth century, he and his community faced hateful opposition from the Jim Crow south. Yet Jordan persisted in sharing a radical vision inspired by Jesus Christ’s words and life.

Modern Southern Baptists would likely take theological issue with the liberties Jordan takes on the Bible. But it’s hard not to admire how his life and practices reflected the very message of that Bible. As these writings and addresses make clear, he consistently focused on how his religion’s actions were coming out of its beliefs. Thus, his focus honed in on social, even political, issues like war, riches, and race.

I did not know the name of Clarence Jordan before I picked up this book. I was impressed that both Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jimmy Carter knew him personally. I liked how Jordan did not trip up on how to interpret the Biblical text in words but rather looked at interpreting the text in action. Religious people, particularly Christians and particularly Baptists, can benefit from this focus. This short collection of writings can aid them in fanning faith’s flame on the inside and putting it in compassionate practice on the outside.

[Kristina Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m writing a biographical paper about Clarence Jordan for my American History of Christianity class at Duke Divinity School. I intended to skim through this resource as reference material, but instead I read it cover to cover in half a day and highlighted nearly half the book. Much of Christianity today feels like a thinly disguised political agenda or “hopium” for people afraid of death, but beyond that, it can seem woefully impotent and abstract. But Clarence Jordan understood the gospel. His writings and sermons filled my heart with an eagerness to be a disciple on the narrow path, even when faced with opposition or loss. I found myself looking around at my home congregation, my bank account, my garden, my house, and seeing it all through the lens of God’s kingdom instead of my personal assets. I’m grateful to have spent time listening to such a humble, poignant, prophetic voice.

[Cralls · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this short book was okay. Not bad, but I felt it didn’t go very deep. Part of this may be that the articles were super short (some were short writings and many were edited down). I liked it but it was a bit disappointing. I suppose I was hoping for another book with a similar premise from Plough publishing (Water at the Roots) that, while slow at first, I really fell in love with. However, the last three essays especially (about a quarter of the book) were really magnificent. Chapter 11 had questionable exegesis (though I suspect he wasn’t really trying to claim all that was exactly what the text was referring to) but was a powerful and creative reading of the man in the tombs. I loved it. The last essay was my favorite and helped bump this from 3 to 4 stars.

[Karina Cortes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Talk about a modern day profit. This little book is a collection of some of Clarence Jordan’s essays and sermons. Who was Clarence Jordan? He started Koinonia Farm in Georgia. He would hire all people to work on his farm and a community was built and the KKK didn’t like him at all. His sermons are powerful and filled with the Spirit. He didn’t turn his back on the church when the church kicked him out when he fought against segregation. There was only one thing I don’t know if I agree with him on, but I was amening a lot while reading this book. And although most of these sermons were preached in the 1950’s they are still so relevant today!!

I wish every American Christian would read this book!

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarence Jordan is the founder of Koinonia Farm in Georgia, a Christian community he established, with a few families sharing food, money, land, and other resources, and trying to demonstrate racial and social justice with their lives. This radical experiment contrasted vividly with mainstream churches and religious denomination that encouraged racial segregation, supported wars, and pursued wealth.

This book collects a selection of Jordan's talks and writings about his beliefs, and his vision for faithful followers of Jesus. His words and interpretations of the Bible contrasts rather vividly with what passes for acceptable Christian practice today. If you want your faith to be challenged this is a good book to read.

[Abby C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most compelling collection of theological essays I’ve ever read. Clarence Jordan is such a remarkable (and radical) figure in the Civil Rights Movement. It’s insane to me that a man who is so right about so many things was such a target- and let’s be real, he would be a target today, too. I have been frustrated so many times by the actions and words of people who claim to be Christian while living lives of true hatred. Jordan is one of the people who does it right, putting radical love and peace at the forefront of not just his beliefs but his life and actions. I hope that after reading this I am encouraged to take on even just an ounce of his courage and commitment to justice.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little collection of Clarence Jordan's prophetic writing and teaching, which is just as relevant to America's ongoing problem with white nationalism, militarism, and consumerism today as it was in segregated and poor rural Georgia in the 60s. Reading this really made me want to read a Clarence Jordan biography, because it was light on day to day life on Koinonia Farm.

10/10 for this book -- I underlined so much! I had one tiny bone to pick with his combination of the prodigal son parable and the story of Jesus expelling the "legion" of demons into a herd of pigs, but his conclusion to that was extremely moving and compelling as well.

[Pamela Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much truth in this little book about the talks and life of Clarence Jordan that I wish every child of God I know would read it. This one is going next to my Bible and all the books I’ve read that have helped me with my Christian walk. It makes me sad that we still haven’t learned these lessons today in 2022. He was bold in his witness, and he walked the walk that Jesus did, even when it put his life in danger. The one chapter that spoke the most to me right now is called No Promised Land without the Wilderness.

[Jason Baskerville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging words and provocative thoughts from a time when race was a very contentious issue. But, what is attractive about this collection of sermons and essays, is that it declares Jesus' heart in no uncertain terms. Is our LGBTQIA2S conversation today what Clarence Jordan was facing when he built he communal integrated farm in Georgia in the mid 1900s? I wonder. I feel that much of what he says can be applied to the situation, as it is baseline Gospel. I'll be looking for more of his writing.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading "The Cotton Patch Gospel" when I was in college. Growing up in Colorado, I didn't relate to the Southern setting, but I did appreciate Jordan's ability to make familiar words fresh. Reading this collection of his writings and speeches, along with the introduction written by Frederick L. Downing, gave much more depth to Jordan and how he lived out his faith in Jesus. He takes on a homespun tone while presenting radical gospel wisdom. This book is an excellent introduction to Clarence Jordan for a new generation.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing book. Clarence Jordan's words and life are inspiring, uplifting and wonderfully timely reminders of how to live a Christian life. His voice is authentic and relatable.. I've already re-read passages and keep it on my nightstand for times I need to be inspired in my Christian life.

I received an ARC copy of this book, and am posting this review freely and on my own.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

just snippets, but these snippets show just how prophetic, and radical Clarence Jordan really was. You cannot categorize him -- not conservative or liberal, but radically believing in living the words of the gospel, radically believing that the spirit living within and among us really could change our lives, and our society.

I pray he may yet be proved right.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Clarence Jordan before but the subtitle is right; he was a southern prophet. He spoke up for racial justice, economic justice, he called out racism, exploitation, hypocrisy & he did it with humour, southern charm & fire.

Inspirational.

[Tom Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very inspiring book. It really leads one to understand what it means to live according to the Gospel. This is one of the hero saints.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book details the life of Clarence Jordan and samples 13 of his sermons and speeches. I loved learning about him and found a soul similar to mine. At a time when it was dangerous to include black congregants, Jordan invited them in and showed them the love of Jesus. His speeches about progressive Christianity made him a target while treating those at his commune with love. No crazy cult stuff here. I enjoyed reading the sermons and was very glad to learn about Jordan.

I received an ARC from the publisher; all opinions are my own.