Reviewed by: Heather Hedlund

In his first book, The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby recounted the history of the American church's complicity with racism. In The Spirit of Justice, Tisby shares the stories of people who were compelled by their faith to challenge our country to live up to its ideals of justice for all.

This is a survey that covers the Revolutionary period through the present day, so we get just an introduction to some of the key figures who struggled for change. I found myself wanting to learn more about a number of the people featured in this book. For example, many of us are familiar with the story of Medgar Evers, the NAACP field secretary who was murdered by a white supremacist during the civil rights era. Tisby introduces us to his wife Myrlie, who continued to work for civil rights for the rest of her life. Tisby writes of this couple, "Both of them shared a strong sense of justice, a deep affection for one another, and an abiding faith in God."

As we read about these historical figures, Tisby asks us to consider, "What manner of people are these who courageously confront racism instead of being complicit with it? And what can we learn from their example, their suffering, and their hope?" Tisby sees the Holy Spirit at work empowering people to love God and their neighbor.

While there were many familiar figures covered in this book, I enjoyed learning about some people who were new to me. Anna Julia Cooper was born into slavery shortly before the Civil War, earned a master's degree from Oberlin College in 1887, and became a leader in building Black educational institutions. She served as president of a school in Washington, DC, that became a model of what would become community colleges. I was also intrigued by Prathia Hall, a young civil rights worker who Tisby suggests may have been the source of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" line. She was such an engaging speaker that King said of her, "Prathia Hall is the one platform speaker I would prefer not to follow."

I didn't leave this book with specific action steps to take, but I was inspired by the stories of people who followed God's call to seek justice. In many cases, I wanted to know more about their lives, their faith, and their work. I look forward to digging deeper into the histories of some of these faithful believers.