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The Substance of Things Hoped for: A Memoir of African-American Faith
Proctor chronicles his family\x27s journey from his grandmother\x27s slavery, through the monumental victories of the NAACP, to his own involvement in the King Oasis, and through subsequent presidential eras.
243 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 12, 2022
On this rainy morning, I turned the last page of this very extraordinary book. It is indeed a memoir, but also a call to action. Samuel DeWitt loved a life of great faith and many accomplishments. His legacy runs deep throughout our country.
Written in 1994, he shares his story of his grandparents being slaves. He himself grew up in segregation. He fought against racism his entire life. The book description says "Honored by universities, ministries, and institutions nationwide, called in the service and administration of two presidents, Samuel Proctor has established himself as a preeminent theologian, Arthur, and educator in the country." His accomplishments were so many and throughout it all he continued to think about how to combat societies ills and how we need to lift up each other.
For much of the book he also outlines his vision of a path it will take us toward genuine community. He shares sobering statistics and stories of how racism has painfully and continues to hurt the African American community. He also shows how we can all be in community together, and outlines what it takes to do so. His ideas for community building are against the backdrop of the 1990s and his ideas are still so powerful. But first we need to truly care about and invest in each other.
This book gives me much upon which to think. I learned much while reading this book. I really didn't justice in explaining this book as there is just so much to talk about. It would be a good book to read as a book study for a group. A book to challenge our ideas, inertia, our own biases, our lawmakers, and build the community he describes.
"By our faith in the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, a new human paradigm can be achieved" Samuel Proctor wrote. He laid such incredible groundwork. We can honor his legacy and each other by continuing on. I strongly recommend reading this book.
Written in 1994, he shares his story of his grandparents being slaves. He himself grew up in segregation. He fought against racism his entire life. The book description says "Honored by universities, ministries, and institutions nationwide, called in the service and administration of two presidents, Samuel Proctor has established himself as a preeminent theologian, Arthur, and educator in the country." His accomplishments were so many and throughout it all he continued to think about how to combat societies ills and how we need to lift up each other.
For much of the book he also outlines his vision of a path it will take us toward genuine community. He shares sobering statistics and stories of how racism has painfully and continues to hurt the African American community. He also shows how we can all be in community together, and outlines what it takes to do so. His ideas for community building are against the backdrop of the 1990s and his ideas are still so powerful. But first we need to truly care about and invest in each other.
This book gives me much upon which to think. I learned much while reading this book. I really didn't justice in explaining this book as there is just so much to talk about. It would be a good book to read as a book study for a group. A book to challenge our ideas, inertia, our own biases, our lawmakers, and build the community he describes.
"By our faith in the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, a new human paradigm can be achieved" Samuel Proctor wrote. He laid such incredible groundwork. We can honor his legacy and each other by continuing on. I strongly recommend reading this book.
December 19, 2024
This book was very inspiring! As a Christian growing up in a "Black church", but now living in diverse community and church, I've also experienced some of the same bewilderment that Dr Proctor experienced as he began to interact with White Evangelicals. However our experiences are almost 80 years apart! I felt seen reading his experiences and motivated by his intentional hope. He's from a different generation, so there were parts that felt a bit out of touch, but overall, it was quite thought provoking. I would recommend to readers from all racial/ ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds
August 1, 2008
This is a great book detailing the life of a man with great integrity and vision. A former chancellor of my alma mater who followed Adam Clayton Powell as the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
September 13, 2012
This is an inspiring account of Dr. Proctors life. His journey has touched the lives of so many
people and his contributions are countless. This an life changing read.
people and his contributions are countless. This an life changing read.
November 17, 2018
A great memoir from a celebrated minister/preacher.
July 23, 2019
Challenging and insightful. Originally published 24 years ago it is still quite relevant for today.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews