Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around: How the Black Church's Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War

by Justin Giboney

Choose Witness Over WarIt's possible to be faithful in the public square without joining the culture war. In fact, there's a model. The Black church's social action tradition has long rejected the idea that overcoming polarization means moral compromise. Its historic public witness has defied the culture war's demands to treat opponents as enemies.In his new book, Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around, AND Campaign co-founder and president Justin Giboney explores a compelling vision of how the Black Church’s social action tradition can inspire hope and healing in the face of today’s polarized culture wars. The spirituals of the Black church, such as "Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around," were rallying cries during the Civil Rights movement, making clear the connection between faith and justice during marches and protests. These songs encapsulated the unwavering faith and resilience of the Black church, propelling ongoing advocacy for justice in the public square, rooted firmly in the Black church's powerful public expression of faith.Centered on faith, justice, and moral imagination, Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around offers a blueprint for public witness that rises above division without compromising Christian values. Giboney thoughtfully examines the principles, motives, and accomplishments of the Black Church’s legacy, calling all Christians to a courageous and faithful engagement in the public square. This book challenges assumptions on both the Left and Right, presenting a bold model for how social justice and moral order can work together while resisting the demands of polarization and enmity.In this book, you the Black Church’s rich history of pairing orthodoxy and orthopraxy in its public witness.Learn how this history can transform today's polarized politics.Explore how to value both social justice and moral order for a faithful Christian witness.This book is not just for the Black church—it’s a call for the whole church to bear public witness in a distinctly Christian way. Whether you’re politically engaged or disillusioned by the brokenness of Christian public witness today, Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around will inspire you to act with courage, conviction, and Christ-likeness. Choose witness over culture war, and get your copy today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Politics, Theology, Christianity, Social Justice, History

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of books that contend that neither American political party satisfactorily aligns with the values of Christianity, but this is definitely one of the best.

Tim Keller said that he would challenge his church members with a Republican mindset that the gospel should open their eyes to systemic injustices. And that those who leaned Democratic should understand that the Christian view of sexuality differs markedly from that of our present culture.

Here Gibony largely shares that perspective and offers up the example of the Black Church as a model for proper Christian engagement with our culture and politics. He reminds us that the early civil rights movement, as led by MLK and the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), was a Christian movement that stressed the importance of loving one’s enemies, and refusing to hate or use any tactics that contradicted their foundational principles of love. Today’s church has much to learn from their example.


Here are some passages I appreciated:

Much of the problem with the culture war framework comes down to how we see others, especially our opponents, and how we see ourselves in comparison. Where the culture war perpetuates and manipulates the good-versus-evil narrative, the gospel of Jesus Christ forces Christians to reckon with the sin in us and God's image in our opposition no matter how hidden. We can't in good faith see ourselves as all good or any other group and irredeemably evil. Choosing the good-versus-evil narrative over the imago Dei/original sin tension has dire consequences. When you've concluded that your ideological opposition is completely evil, nothing they do can be right and no measure taken to thwart them is excessive.
[p 61-2]


The SCLC's refusal to reciprocate violence and vitriol was the product of a deep faith. They were trusting that God could overcome the lawlessness of the world without them resorting to the weapons of the world. Christians in the culture war have shown a lack of faith by imagining that insults and the dark arts of politics are necessary to achieve their objectives. Winning the culture war can't be at the center of our public witness, and spiting our opposition can't be at the center of our public witness. It must be centered on Christ.
[p 103-4]


The scope of pluralism can't be a short radius encircling elite consensus. That makes the public square and every value system the prisoner of polite society. That's not pluralism. If questions of economics or gender identity are still unsettled around the cafeterias of the common man, they must not be taken off the table by distant forces in the academy or corporate executives. One's degrees don't give them that authority and neither does one's populist "authenticity." We all have a say. The traditionalist and the reformer must have a seat at the pluralist table, otherwise it's counterfeit—a cover for classist or ideological intrusion.
[p 110]


The attempt to make blackness and secular progressivism natural companions is one of the more dishonest narratives produced by the culture war. Traditionally, the Black Church's moral framework greatly contrasted with the ideological Left.
[p 136]


Freedom misconceived and misused always leads to bondage of another kind. We "were called to be free," but we ought not use our "freedom to indulge the flesh" (Galatians 5:13). Freedom is more than untethered self-expression and wildly doing "as thou wilt" in an open space. Some liberation theology scholars tend to skip over the second half of Exodus. They want to take the liberation but leave the moral imperatives required by God, the liberator. Exodus shows us the importance of justice and moral order. God releases the captives and lovingly refuses to leave them to their own devices. The Black Church's social action tradition recognized that seeking to liberate people without truth and obedience is like freeing them into a lion's den.
[p 166]


The Black Church social action tradition modeled how to apply the fruit of the Spirit—love, peace, forbearance, self-control, etc.—because it didn't separate spiritual life from advocacy…Their social action was genuinely inspired by the authority of Scripture and its promises. The gospel was more than just a call to action; it was a call to salvation, holiness, and truth.
[p 172]


…the history of Black Christians dismantles two of the primary misconceptions coming from the ideological Right and Left respectively: (1) white conservative Christianity is the purest and normative form of the faith; (2) progressivism is synonymous with compassion, intelligence, and relevance.
[p 174]

[Sarah Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every Christian who cares about the culture wars and what it means to live as a just nation in the US should read. It was so refreshing to learn how the black church's commitment to Jesus and their faith shaped the Civil Rights movement, and convicting to realize I'm in my 40s and that much of the information was new to me.

I REALLY value Justin Giboney's humble courage to call out the sins of both conservative and progressive Christianity when it deviates from orthodoxy and Scripture. I was challenged and convicted, seeing where I've allowed both sides to shape my thinking and beliefs in ways that contradict the character and commands of the God I love. Whether you lean left, right, or you're somewhere in the middle, you will experience dissonance and be uncomfortable, maybe even mad. I think this is a good thing. We need to be graciously challenged!

I realize that the way forward (the AND, if you will) is the narrow, hard path. It takes a lot more painful, hard, and self-sacrifing work to pursue the justice and civil liberty than Christians on the far right and far left are willing to acknowledge. Lord, help me to follow you with the same courage and humility as Willie Faye and Mahalia.

[Drew Oller · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a self-professed fan of Justin Giboney and the And Campaign, I enjoyed this book as a general summary of his philosophy of Christian civic engagement, which is heavily influenced by, or perhaps better an extension or continuation of, the Black social action tradition of the 20th century. That was enough for 4 stars for me.

With that said, I still felt the book lacked sufficient underpinnings as some of his points (which I still largely agree with) seem to beg the question as they’re currently written. It’s hard to know if Giboney intended his book to serve primarily as an argument for his philosophy/theology of civic engagement, as expressed jn the Black Church’s public witness, but regardless of motive it functions much more like a rallying of the troops. Anyone sympathetic to his split-the-middle approach to the hot-button culture war issues among U.S Christians today will find it inspiring and convincing, but anyone unfamiliar, on the fence or uneasy will not. I personally find his idealogical approach refreshing and increasingly rare in discourse about Christian culture war issues, but because of this I wish he’d done a bit more to convince the skeptic rather than embolden the believer. Again, maybe that wasn’t his motive, but it seems like a bit of a missed opportunity. I personally think the book could have been improved by adding a hundred pages or so to provide additional context and establish his points in a deeper way.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin Giboney’s exploration of the legacy of the Black church’s public witness is personal, historical, and honest. He does not valorize the church of that era, but does focus on what we can learn from the commitment of the Black church and its leaders, exhibited in their efforts to be fully faithful to God in both their personal morality and public engagerment. His analysis is “caring and devoted” but also “render[s] a candid critique that stings”—whether you are conservative or progressive in your leanings (175). I found the book growing in power as each chapter builds on the other, rising to a crescendo in his call for a courageous, biblically rooted moral imagination that refuses to vilify the other or exceptionalize “our own.” What a timely book!

[Lauren Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for all those who claim Christianity. (The audiobook is fantastic as the author reads it).

Author, Justin Giboney, approaches the current climate of culture wars from a historical and theological perspective of the black church. This book is historical, theological, and practical.

The author is very consistent throughout the book of being faithful to God and not a political party. He has criticism for both sides and it’s clear his allegiance is to God not to an issue or movement.

This book was encouraging as well as convicting. He encourages readers to not look “out there” at others, but really an internal examination of our thoughts, motives, and allegiances.

We need more voices like this.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a book for a time such as this!

I am thankful for Justin Giboney's clarity and integrity in seeking Christian faithfulness when it comes to the culture wars or political engagement. He seeks orthodoxy, biblicity and grace without compromise of any jot and tittle of Scripture. He is quick to address the danger each person has within themselves towards sin in some area, and seeks to understand what those might be.

I am thankful for Justin Giboney's connections to the civil rights movement (through his grandmother), and how deeply that shaped him. Praise God for the wisdom he received from his family and others who were part of the civil right movement. Praise God for Justin's commitment to not compromising what the Bible teaches based on whatever forces might be the loudest in culture around us. Praise God for his resilient hope that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. We can learn a lot from the Christian witness of the Black Church, and I am indebted to Justin for helping me to learn.

My ancestors were baptized by Charles Spurgeon in England. My Grandfather, saved in the British Navy during WW2 as bombs were dropping around him, became an old testament theology professor. My father became a church history professor. I was raised in a very different tradition than Justin. Despite the differences, there were similarities, and I was raised in a tradition that deeply respected history and respected Biblical integrity even if that is challenged in one's own church or denomination. My dad studied deeply the white culture war that developed that Justin Giboney speaks to in this book. My dad faced criticism for finding fault with fundamentalism, even as he also deeply critiqued the liberalism that infected many Christian schools. My dad's framework for approaching culture and political engagement aligns closely with Justin's.

I'm thankful to learn a lot more about the civil rights movement and its beautiful place in church history. I'm from Canada, so I haven't learned as much as I ought! I'm trying to learn more, and I'm thankful for the witness of these saints in church history who teach us how to engage our very polarized and angry moment in time right now. May God teach us moral imagination, radical hope for redemption and biblical integrity. I hope many will take time to read this book. It has encouraged my soul.

[Briana Hallett Stiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audible, narrated by the author. Incredibly thought provoking perspective on how Christians can focus on God and biblical principles in the American culture war and politics, using historical lessons we can learn from the black church during the civil rights movement. I'll be listening to this one again.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE the four practical takeaways for Christian public witness outlined in this book: (1) connecting the spiritual and sociopolitical aavocacy; (2) upholding social justice and moral order; (3) acknowledging internal sin; and (4) exemplifying moral imagination. I especially needed the corrective of moral imagination.

[Kyle Wedel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very timely, encouraging, and challenging book. Giboney calls on all Christians, wherever they may find themselves politically, to put off cultural idols and embrace Christ. The temptation as you read this book is to respond with a “but they…” attitude, Giboney pushes us past this other-side-ism and into the transformative nature of Kingdom work.

[Heather Voelz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need to know you're not the only one who feels the way you do about the public Christian witness currently being shaped by politics. Justin Giboney does a great job summing up the pitfalls of blindly following the ideological left or right in America as a Christian. I also love that he talks so much about his grandmother.

[Ben Makuh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was… fine. I’ve listened to Justin before and have a lot of respect for him, but the book just kind of nuances itself to death. You can’t be conservative and Christian because there are real, substantial issues with some conservative ideas. You can’t be progressive and Christian because there are real, substantial issues with some progressive ideas. The black church serves as a corrective, but the black church isn’t perfect so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

There’s plenty that’s worth your time in here, but I just think that when Christians try to do this kind of third-wayism it can come across as “everyone in the world is slightly or majorly wrong in their takes on social and political issues except me.” I know that’s not really what he was trying to say, but yeah… by the end I just kind of felt nuanced to death

[Lydia Albano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Justin Giboney is one of the smartest and wisest voices in Christian politics and I’m really grateful for this work of thoughtful research and important perspective. his commitment to grounding action in godliness is so compelling and brings me a lot of hope. this book also hammered home just how few of the names and stories of the black community in America through the ages I am familiar with and how much more I want to know. my only reason for four stars instead of five, I think, is related to that: for my personal taste, I wish this had felt more focused on the examples and stories of the people involved in these churches and movements, so that I didn’t feel I was just hearing a bunch of facts and was instead invited into a narrative and thus able to care and remember more fully. but I’m grateful for this book and, always, for Justin Giboney’s work; I don’t know anything else like it that I trust so much.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some really good parts. Not sure I was the target audience. As someone who has gone through a second trimester miscarriage, I’m still hoping and waiting for thoughtful Christians like Justin to speak about the abortion issue with more nuance. I know that wasn’t the main topic of the book, but he does mention it quite a bit.

[Michael Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around" by Justin Giboney is a great read on how the black church has been involved in cultural wars, with a special emphasis on Civil Rights. Around 200 pages, the book covers many topics and makes many great points, including:

- The good and bad of the black church's involvement in the cultural wars.

- Various ways many social justice movements have left God out their cause.

- How the black church originally relied on God's Word instead of political pressure and expediency for their stand on issues.

- The need for both extremes on an issue to honestly listen to and try to understand their opponent's point of view.

- The flaws of both religious and political conservatism and liberalism.

- How the left and right have tried practice undue influence on the black church.

- Ambition and cancel culture becoming more important than spiritual principle.

- The need for the church to be an independent voice instead of trying to please the left or right.

Some of things I liked about this book:

- Book is easy to read and understand the author's many points, whether or not you agree with him. He makes his points very clear.

- Candid criticism of the religious/political left and right (and both sides really do need it!).

- The author seems to be fair and pretty objective in his comments.

- Not another book demonizing "the other side" - I've read and heard enough of this to radically reduce the amount of time spend on social media and watching television.

- Includes an excellent footnotes section for further reading and study.

The only criticism I have is the lack of a subject index in the back of the book. Why? Suppose I want to read something on Martin Luther King, Jerry Falwell, particular politicians, or another topic mentioned in the book, then I have to really dig into the book or quickly turn the pages to find the desired topic. Really need to include a subject index - makes it easier for the reader to find info on a particular person or topic.

Comment aside, still a great read and recommended. I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.

[Olivia Bowdoin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I deeply respect Justin’s work to reinterpret the foundational beliefs of the civil rights movement in our current tumultuous times. This book provided great insights from someone who is truly doing meaningful work within the modern day movement — a cause that is both widely respected and widely misunderstood on both sides of the aisle. I appreciated his bravery to draw the reader out of our own political and cultural silos, forcing us to look inward and ask hard questions about the causes we fiercely defend. Loosening our collective grip on tribalism is an extremely important imperative, but I do wish he painted a clearer picture of what he believes the alternative direction to be. I often find myself wondering if Jesus were on earth today, what would he focus on? I think 21st century Christians deeply need visionaries, reminiscent of MLK, who can courageously and clearly direct us towards specific, meaningful action. By this I do not mean an issue by issue analysis of how Christians should view things, nor comparing and contrasting how both political parties get things wrong, but by determining what to focus on in a sea of all that is wrong with the world, ushering in God’s kingdom together with powerful single mindedness.

[Allison Berkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about different traditions and life experiences than my own. I appreciate the subject and articulation in this book. I would love to attend any events Justin speaks at and continue learning from him. The book lost a star for a pattern I have noticed in the current discourse. While Justin has points I agree with and some I don't, one of his topics explored in this book just doesn't fit with the others. He spends half the book imploring the white church to take a hard look at things that used to be held as "universal truths" that upon further inspection should be understood as misguided cultural tradition. He asks to shift theology based on the fruit. The last half of the book is presenting the spiritual practice of moral imagination and why we should integrate it into our personal spiritual practices. However, there is this weird section in between that basically says that LGBTQ issues shouldn't have any of the above mentioned concepts applied to said issues because it's just already determined. It is just a weird talking point that I look forward to see where we are in 20 years.

[Tartan Collier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, and i had high hopes when I started. But I was disappointed by the “bothsidesism” that seems to me hopelessly naive, especially in the post Trump 2.0 era. “Sure, one side systematically abused young girls and covered it up (and continues to do so even as I write this), wants to round up and deport immigrants and political opponents, oppress minorities and women and prevent them from voting, and engage in unprovoked war with other nations, but the other side wants to support abortion rights (gasp!) and treat LGBTQ people as deserving of respect… so what can we do?”

We live in a fraught time, and the answer is not for Christians to retreat into their “holier than thou” bubbles and snipe at both conservatives and progressives as if they’re equally abhorrent on either end of the political spectrum. There is a prophetic role the church is being called to play, and the author presents a muddled and milquetoast pablum that fails as a cogent call to action.

[Marie “Gucci” · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book examined the Civil Rights Movement and how the leaders in the black community during that period were able to seek justice in America for themselves and those around them with the mindset of Jesus. I felt a lot of conviction in my own life about the culture war and how it fuels an “us vs them” mentality. I should not fall under any political side and find my identify in that. My identity is in Christ, and as such, I can see the moral on the right and the left, but also call out the immoral. Not one side is perfect. But most importantly, we are all made in the image of God, and all deserve to be treated with dignity, even when we ourselves are not treated fairly. This book challenged me and I was inspired by the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and those who have fought for justice. Recommend to anyone who is struggling with the culture war in the current American political environment.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giboney uses historical figures, including a matriarch from his family, to center his discussions on what Americans can learn from the Black church's approach to social justice and biblical morality. I especially enjoyed his anecdotes from history as well as his hopeful conclusions.

I did struggle with knowing who the intended audience is. Those readers who already agree with Giboney's premise won't find much new. Those who don't agree, especially those who lean towards a Christian nationalist viewpoint, may be put off when Giboney becomes strident in his criticisms of their views. The same with those who lean liberal, the audience Giboney would want to engage when talking about values and morals. I'm not sure the book will convince the very readers I suspect the author wants to impact. I hope I'm wrong.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giboney uses the example of the American black church as an example for Christians as a whole to learn from when confronted with the vicious circle of the "culture war". He aptly directs the church to closely examine the log in their own eye before considering attacking the specs in others. The premise acknowledges errors and virtues from all angles of the American political spectrum. This doesn't stop the author from interjecting his moral viewpoints throughout, but that's not the main point. This is a plea for unity amongst believers, specifically by calling for a biblical deescalation of combative tactics and dehumanizing echo chambers.

I don't know that many will read this and agree with 100% of it. But in a way that's kind of the point. As a bonus, I'm thankful for the introduction to Mahalia Jacksons music.

[Savannah Jayaraman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the perspective every Christian needs on the culture war. Loving your neighbor is more important than flaunting the fact that you’re right. Pleasing God is more important than pleasing man. Who cares what tribe you’re in? Fear God and keep his commandments. Advocating for social justice and upholding God’s moral law should never be divorced from each other. Justin Giboney lays all this out in a way we desperately need! My only complaint is that the book was repetitive and could have been shorter. But priceless wisdom!

A great podcast with Jackie Hill Perry and Preston Perry (below) outlines a lot of what he says, too :)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

[Luke Tappen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great primer on how Christians can engage politics while faithfully advocating for justice.

Justin Giboney approaches this through the lens of having Compassion & Conviction (the namesake of his earlier work and the heart of the & Campaign), and grounds that vision in not so distant examples from American History. For me, this book articulated many of my own thoughts while offering the encouragement and concrete examples I still need. It’s a helpful, timely contribution for Christians who don’t want to trade moral clarity for a welcoming political group.

This is also particularly important work to engage with for white Evangelicals like me, who are not as well educated in the history of the black church and how important progressive movements were incredibly rooted in that Christian tradition.

[Rebecca Cooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a non-anxious presence in a frantic room; like a weighted blanket in a fitful sleep; like the calm eye in the storm; Giboney provides thoughtful, reasonable, and clarifying commentary on today's "culture war".

He demonstrates that though it is harder to advocate for nuance instead of rage in the public square, it is a good and worthy work. Using the Civil Right generation as a model of social justice + moral standard, we are called to find an honoring position before we ever find a side.

Read for ~ a breath of fresh air • a critique and encouragement for all • an ode to the Civil Rights Movement • a means for hope in a hopeless field

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preordered this book and got it a month early. It was an easy read and good for a periodic commute reading pages here and there and chewing on them in between. This really focuses on the “how” and “why” of civic engagement and doesn’t let any “team” off the hook without even handed scrutiny. This is a thoughtful instructive of how to faithfully discern our way through political (and cultural) issues, and the centering theme of the Black Church really pulled it all together in an engaging way that sparked curiosity. The last few chapters were the best.

[Phyllis Bahou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this book now in honor of Black History Month, but boy oh boy this book could not have come out at a better time than now in our current culture. If you’re a Christian, whether Republican or Democrat , this book is for you. It will challenge you. It will make you re-think the how & why you stand for what you do.
This book was written and published now for the times we are living in and applicable to all time in the future.
Stand for Jesus’ teaching; not a side. Don’t make excuses for what you know is wrong. Find your voice and don’t be afraid to use it.

[Scott McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who listens to Justin Giboney and his podcast regularly, I was excited to dive in to this work. I knew he would weave grace, conviction, and truth throughout is work. This was a beautiful call to examine the long history of the black church and see the example that has been set in their orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Using examples of King, Jackson, and several others, Giboney presents a beautiful call of the Kingdom and the Gospel while living and moving within the public square.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essential treatise on faithful Christian witness in the public square. Drawing inspiration from the Black church and the Civil Rights generation— without placing them on too high of a pedestal— Giboney offers a thoughtful account of how Christians can choose the fruit of the spirit over the spirit of culture war animosity. A must for any believer who wants to reflect the love of Jesus through politics.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much history weaves itself though the black churches in America, all while standing on Christian Values Justin Giboney explores how the Black Church’s social action tradition can inspire hope and healing in the face of today’s polarized culture wars. It was very hopeful to read.

Thank you IVP & NetGalley for the ARC! #DontLetNobodyTurnYouAround #NetGalley

[Joel Wentz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful book. I loved many of the individual chapters, and resonate a lot with where Giboney is coming from, but at times the overarching argument was lost on me. Many strong insights here, but I think I would have liked a deeper engagement with history. Still worth reading, and Giboney's voice is extremely important.

Video review here: https://youtu.be/P_lbxZvTlgM

[Laurel Williston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of rich stories and lessons from the Civil Rights movement that have clear application for our current political climate. There are no rose colored glasses or glossing over the less than ideal parts of the history, which is truly refreshing. I really appreciated the practical ideas and suggestions for engaging the culture from a grounded Christian perspective.