In a world and a community in which individuals are more often critiqued than praised, challenged rather than lionized, it is good to celebrate heroes of faith and honor their legacy.

Such was the goal of the Carroll B. Ellis Symposium at Lipscomb University in 2023 which has led to the compilation of Faithful Defiance: Marshall Keeble’s Life and Legacy, edited by C. Leonard Allen, and featuring many prominent scholars within Churches of Christ.

For those who are not at all familiar with him, Marshall Keeble was a powerful and prominent Black preacher in Black Churches of Christ in the twentieth century. His preaching was well regarded and renowned, and many thousands were baptized as part of his ministry. Keeble was also highly involved in the Nashville Christian Institute (NCI), a center of education for Black students. His legacy has been well secured by his “boy preachers,” the many young men whom he directly influenced through his preaching and work with the NCI.

This is an excellent work which bears witness to Keeble’s life, work, and legacy and the context in which he lived and worked. After an introduction, the work features discussions of the contexts of the Restoration Movement until the late 19th/early 20th centuries, the role of the Black preacher in churches, and the forces which shaped them. Many chapters are then presented regarding Keeble’s life and ministry: his early years, his life as a preacher, his later years, and the challenges he experienced on account of being a Black man in pre-civil rights America. Keeble’s legacy is then considered, both in terms of his own deeds and in terms of the many he influenced, focusing particularly on Fred D. Gray, noted civil rights lawyer, and W.F. Washington, a prominent preacher among historically Black Churches of Christ. The work also features an appropriate conclusion, an appendix regarding the relationship Keeble had with Willie Cato, a white man who assisted Keeble, and a great appendix presenting some of Keeble’s own writing.

Some might be offended at speaking regarding “Black” or “historically Black” Churches of Christ, but as this book well establishes, such was, and is, the historical reality, and it was and is a historical reality perpetuated by the White Christians within Churches of Christ who were more than happy to help sponsor and support Marshall Keeble and others in preaching among Black people, but often bitterly resented and derided any attempt at integrating churches and proved quite fearful of White people becoming enamored with Black preaching and close association and fraternization between White and Black believers.

The authors do quite well in terms of honoring and respecting Keeble for the choices he made: as making the firm commitment to the preaching of the Gospel, who no doubt did not appreciate the way he was often treated, but made the decision to prioritize his ministry and thus in many ways accommodated himself to the white supremacist posture of the White Christians, even (or despite) how such accommodation was lauded as him knowing “his place” and not attempting to “rise above” it. He may not have spoken out explicitly against segregation, but he certainly communicated to his fellow Black people how important it was to help one another and themselves, and deeply influenced many of his students, who would go on to resist segregation and white supremacy in their own careers and ministries.

I highly recommend this book as an opportunity to learn more about the life and work of brother Keeble, and to appreciate his ministry, work, and witness. At the same time, we must also lament and mourn the white supremacist environment which he had to navigate, and repent of all such attitudes and behaviors. We do well to celebrate all of brother Keeble’s work in the Lord; but anyone who would want to “celebrate” Keeble as one of the “good Black preachers” because he “knew his place” and/or did not explicitly speak out against segregation, especially as opposed to those who “agitated” for civil rights, have a lot for which they need to repent, because that kind of attitude never glorified or honored Jesus Christ.

Just finished Faithful Defiance: Marshall Keeble’s Life and Legacy by C. Leonard Allen, and I’m honestly so moved. Keeble’s story is one of incredible faith, strength, and humility. He preached boldly during a time of deep racial injustice, yet carried himself with grace and conviction that challenged and inspired so many — including me. This book gave me a deeper appreciation for Black church history and the power of staying faithful even when the world says you shouldn’t be. Highly recommend if you want to be both encouraged and challenged. 🙌🏾📖

I highly recommend “Faithful Defiance, Marshall Keebler’s Life and Legacy”, edited by C. Leonard Allen. What a powerful story of faith in action.

Marshall Keeble was a key shaper of Black preachers among Churches of Christ.
He was the premier evangelist in African American Churches. His preaching life consisted of “sacrifice, selflessness, and suffering”, including physical abuse and racial violence. He was born on December 7, 1878 in Tennessee and he died in 1968. What a beautiful life!

Pastor Keeble desired to preach the gospel in “destitute places.” He also saw the need for a “trained ministry.” He baptized at least 30,000 people. into the Christian faith. Through the years, and a variety of circumstances, he stayed strong because of his favorite hymn, “Hold onto God’s Unchanging Hand.”

Pastor Keeble knew “the power was in the Word, not in the man.” He remained true to his commitment. This is the story of a faithful servant of Christ.
I learned a lot from this book and I encourage people to learn more about the faith of Marshall Keeble. Thanks to NetGalley and Abilene Christian University Press for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.