Date on Honors Thesis
5-2023
Major
History
Minor
East Asian Studies
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Olga Koulisis, Advisor
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Kathy Callahan, Committee Member
Examining Committee Member
Dr. James Humphreys, Committee Member
Abstract/Description
This paper seeks to propose a unique strand of religious thought which united Marxist Christians in the United States. Using the lives and work of Bishop William Montgomery Brown, Dr. Harry F. Ward, and Reverend Claude C. Williams, this work proposes the term “applied proletarian gospel” to denote the political and religious thought of Marxist Christians who surpassed the social gospel and other proposed ideas of radical Christianity in their revolutionary and anti-capitalist thought and action. This paper finds that, although it remained a small trend among Christians, the applied proletarian gospel gave an outlet to Christians who sought to create a synthesis of Marxism and Christianity and who found class struggle and socialism to be an integral of Christian ethics.
Recommended Citation
Adams, David W., "Prophets of the Divine Revolution: "Bad Bishop Brown," Harry F. Ward, Claude C. Williams, and the Applied Proletarian Gospel" (2023). Honors College Theses. 151.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/honorstheses/151
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