The Kingdom of God, the Black Pentecostal Church, and Empowerment
How the Power of the Holy Spirit Can Liberate the Black Community
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
Drawing from his own experiences growing up on the rough South Side of Chicago, the extensive history of the Black church, and the contributions of insightful church scholars, Dr. Carson examines how, since its inception, the Black church has served as a beacon of hope and empowerment amid adversity for the Black community. This compelling exploration shines a light on the powerful role of the Holy Spirit as the necessary agent for liberating historically disadvantaged communities, and it challenges readers to embrace a kingdom-minded approach to social, civil, and economic justice. Through a careful examination of Black Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, Dr. Carson argues for a renewal of Kingdom theology—one that transcends mere religious expression to position the church as a catalyst for profound community transformation. Offering rich theological insights, he presents a vision for empowerment that addresses the persistence of racism, sexism, and classism, and offers a roadmap for healing and restoration. This book is not just a call to action; it is an invitation to experience the life-changing power of the Kingdom of God in our communities. Join Dr. Carson in reclaiming the narrative of empowerment for the Black community, powered by the Holy Spirit!
Endorsements (4)
“In our time of chaos, conflict, confusion, and cancel culture, Dr. Dana Carson has written a timely book which speaks words from the heart that enter the heart. As a scholar of scholars and as a pastor of pastors, Dr. Carson speaks with the absolute authority of solid exegetical interpretation and of extensive life experience in leadership training and in mentoring life-long learners. The kingdom is now. The message is practical and life-transformational for individuals, families, and communities. Dr. Carson makes the timeless message of Jesus come alive with the promise of Holy Spirit empowerment in every aspect of our experience for this time and for all time. The Black Pentecostal Church is the hope for a dynamic spiritual awakening for a time such as this. Open your heart and read this book! Dr. Carson’s new book paves the way for healing, for reconciliation, for success, and for meaningful life transformation.”
“Dr. Dana Carson, one of the most noted theologians of our time, delivers a scholarly and Spirit-led answer to a decades-long question: Why have the strategies and massive investments intended to uplift the Black community failed to produce lasting transformation in America’s most impoverished urban areas? This work, combining research and rigorous academic study with anointed insight, contends that the missing ingredient is a renewal theology grounded in the gospel of the kingdom of God, the only message and method capable of bringing true, enduring change!”
“Dana Carson’s The Kingdom of God, the Black Pentecostal Church, and Empowerment is a welcomed contribution to the series on the “Spirit and Public Theology.” It marks a noteworthy contribution to the conversation surrounding kingdom theology. Although influential evangelicals, spanning from Ladd to Munroe, have largely shaped the contemporary evangelical narrative, Carson reveals that their perspectives provide an incomplete understanding of the kingdom. He returns to the Scriptures’ fundamental theme with prophetic clarity. Carson asserts that the kingdom is not merely a slogan, a distant aspiration, or a metaphor for prosperity; rather, it embodies God's actual reign—already manifested in Christ and necessitating radical discipleship in the present. This concept comprises the essence of good news within the lived theology and public faith of the Black Pentecostal tradition. This book serves as both a theological correction and a call to action, particularly significant for anyone striving to bear more faithful witness to God's Kingdom in our midst.”
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