Robert Scheer SI Podcast SI: History SI: Memory: Autobiography, Biography & History SI: Race, Class & Gender

Rev. Madison Shockley and the Many Meanings of Christianity

Robert Scheer sits down with the Christian leader to discuss his family's history with racism as well as his views on what is means to be Christian today.
Robert Scheer sits down with Reverend Madison Shockley to discuss his family's history with racism as well as his views on what is means to be Christian today.
Rev. Madison Shockley. [Photo: Zuade Kaufman/Truthdig]

In their conversation, Reverend Madison Shockley tells Robert Scheer about his family’s path from Tennessee to Los Angeles and how his father’s clear character inspired him to take an unconventional path toward religion. Shockley, who is African-American discusses his experience at the helm of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, California, a predominantly white church with progressive values. He also talks about how his research on what in the scripture did and did not come directly from Jesus informed his ideas on what it means to be a Christian. Lastly, he calls for a more widespread discussion on the issue of white privilege and its effects to move the country forward on race relations.

Credits

Guest:
Madison Shockley – Pilgrim United Church of Christ – @PilgrimUCCCbad

Host:
Robert Scheer

Producers:
Joshua ScheerRebecca Mooney