Abilene, TX — Faithful Defiance chronicles the extraordinary life of Marshall Keeble, one of the most influential evangelists in the Churches of Christ during the twentieth century. Passing away in April 1968, the same month as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Keeble’s remarkable 55-year ministry saw him baptize over forty thousand individuals and establish more than three hundred congregations across the United States. Known for his steadfast commitment to evangelism, Keeble mentored many leaders, including civil rights attorney Fred Gray.
Despite his groundbreaking evangelistic work, Keeble’s life remains complex. While he faced constant racial prejudice and never openly defied segregation, his dedication to faith and personal morality took precedence over politics, creating a legacy that continues to spark discussion. Keeble’s quiet resistance to the injustices he faced, alongside his enduring focus on spreading the gospel, serves as a powerful example of faith-driven perseverance.
Faithful Defiance offers fresh insights into Keeble’s life, revealing how his legacy continues to influence and challenge both religious and social spheres today.
“We best understand our times and ourselves by looking to history and giants of the faith. We learn how they navigated their troubled times, modeling how to serve faithfully. We learn from their victories and their mistakes. This volume is a shining example of high-impact historical analysis and biography informing our current, divisive, times. Be inspired by Marshall Keeble’s life and faith. Be challenged. Consider how to apply the lessons of this fascinating volume in your life. You will be thrilled you did.” —Michael O. Emerson, Chavanne fellow in Religion and Public Policy, the Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University; coauthor of Divided by Faith and The Religion of Whiteness
Leonard Allen serves as dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University in Nashville. He taught theology, ethics, and philosophy for many years at Abilene Christian University, Biola University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and John Brown University. He has spoken widely on college campuses and in churches over the past thirty-five years on biblical, historical, and theological themes. He is the author of numerous books, including, The Cruciform Church, Distant Voices, Things Unseen, Poured Out, and most recently, The Bookroom: Remembrance and Forgiveness—A Memoir.
Faithful Defiance
By C. Leonard Allen
April 2025, Softcover
160 Pages, $18.99
ISBN: 9781684262144
Media Contact: Kaylin Graves, publicity@leafwoodpublishers.com
