Sign-In
Cart
The Subversive Pulpit: Gender and Religious Authority in the Ministry of Ida Bell Robinson
Hardcover
Series: Studies in the Holiness and Pentecostal Movements
Biographies GeneralGeneral Christianity
ISBN13: 9780271102108
Publisher: Penn State University Press
Published: Nov 10 2026
Pages: 256
Weight: 1.28
Height: 0.94 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
When the United Holy Church of America moved to curtail women's ordination in 1924, Ida Bell Robinson broke away to found a church where women would not only preach but lead. The Subversive Pulpit argues that Robinson used her agency and autonomy amid the upheavals of the Great Migration to build a religious enterprise defined by radical gender egalitarianism and socioeconomic uplift for Black women and their communities.
Centering Robinson as founder and first bishop of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Dara Coleby Delgado shows how her religious program extended far beyond the question of whether women should preach. Drawing on unpublished denominational records, census data, the Black Press, and other archival sources, Delgado interprets Robinson's efforts to loose the women as a practical, economically consequential project. Robinson transformed the pulpit into a subversive site--one that generated social capital, fostered positive religio-racial identity, and created jobs and institutional opportunities aligned with Progressive Era urban culture, industrialism, and commercial expansion.
By recovering Robinson as both a religious influencer and business-minded institution builder, Delgado reframes her legacy as a model of holiness, spiritual empowerment, and prophetic social consciousness. The book makes a significant contribution to scholarship on American Pentecostalism, African American religion, and women's religious leadership, and will be essential reading for scholars and students of American religious history, Black church studies, gender studies, and women's history.
1 different editions
Also available
The Subversive Pulpit: Gender and Religious Authority in the Ministry of Ida Bell Robinson
Delgado, Dara Coleby
Paperback
Also from
Delgado, Dara Coleby
The Subversive Pulpit: Gender and Religious Authority in the Ministry of Ida Bell Robinson
Delgado, Dara Coleby
Paperback
Also in
General Christianity
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Destiny of Modern Societies: The Calvinist Predestination of a New Society
Zafirovski, Milan
Paperback
The Death of Christ: The Bible and Popular Culture Vs Archaeological and Historical Evidence
Rutledge, Steven
Hardcover
The Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes: The Initiatory Teachings of the Last Supper
Gaffney, Mark H.
Paperback
A Child Shall Lead Them PB: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement
Burrow, Rufus
Paperback
Suffering and the Search for Meaning: Contemporary Responses to the Problem of Pain
Rice, Richard
Paperback
Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion: 300 Terms Thinkers Clearly Concisely Defined
Evans, C. Stephen
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without
Story, Laura
Paperback
Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them
Strong, Jeff
Paperback
The Elijah Mandate: A Call to Courageous Faith in a Hostile World
Piflaks, Tolik
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
Jesus & Your Mental Health: Linking God's Word and Modern Science to Find Peace about Mental Health
Maxwell Lmft, Rebecca
Paperback
The Promise of Heaven Bible Study Guide: Why You Can Get Excited about Your Eternal Home
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Kobes Du Mez, Kristin
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Hardcover
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Robinson, James M.
Meyer, Marvin W.
Paperback
St. Joseph Sunday Missal Prayerbook and Hymnal for 2026 [Paperback] Catholic Book Publishing Corp
Catholic Book Publishing & Icel
Paperback
Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
Burpo, Todd
Paperback
Determined to Believe?: The Sovereignty of God, Freedom, Faith, and Human Responsibility
Lennox, John C.
Paperback
Friendship in the Lord: A Catholic Classic on Holy Friendship and Life in Christ a Christian Classic
Hinnebusch Op, Paul
Paperback
Sounding the Seasons Enlarged Edition: One Hundred and Ten Sonnets for the Christian Year
Guite, Malcolm
Paperback
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Mittelberg, Mark
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Geisler, Norman L.
Jimenez, Jason
Paperback
Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy
Jones, Robert P.
Hardcover
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV, XIV
Paperback
Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Bloodline Deliverance Study Manual: How to Set Yourself, Your Family, and Your Bloodline Free from Demons and Curses
Brewer, Andrea
Brewer, Mike
Paperback
Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West
Ehrman, Bart D.
Hardcover
When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man
Welch, Edward T.
Paperback
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says about Women in Leadership
Sprinkle, Preston
Paperback
Exploring Ezekiel: The Next Big War, Earth's Final Days, and Your Eternal Destination
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth
Hall, Mark David
Paperback
Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You
Burke, John
Paperback
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd Edition
Concordia Publishing House
Hardcover
The Final Flood: Ancient Supernatural Technology, Fallen Angels, and Taking Your Place in the Noah Generation
Ragland, Larry
Paperback
Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church
Sack, Kevin
Hardcover
The Two Swords of Christ: Five Centuries of War Between Islam and the Warrior Monks of Christendom
Ibrahim, Raymond
Hardcover
Messiah: A Contemporary Adaptation of the Classic Work on Jesus' Life, the Desire of Ages
Thomas, Jerry D.
Paperback
Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love
Recker, Brian
Hardcover
All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha: 300 Books in Print Plus Audiobook, Videos, and Thousands of Digital Books
Publishing, Dunatos
Hardcover
Surviving an Unwanted Divorce: A Biblical, Practical Guide to Letting Go While Holding Yourself Together
TerKeurst, Lysa
Hardcover
The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times
Zondervan Publishing
Paperback
A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Warfare: How to Protect Your Home, Family and Friends from Spiritual Darkness
Garlock, Ruthanne
Sherrer, Quin
Paperback
Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope: (Pocket Edition) (Over 100 Prayers and Illustrations for Finding Purpose & Hope During Seasons of Loss or S
McKelvey, Douglas Kaine
Hardcover
Follow the Healer: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Healing Ministry
Seamands, Stephen
Paperback
Praying Their Way: 24 Prayer Practices for Kids and the Adults Who Love Them
Owens, L. Roger
Paperback
Angels on Assignment: Exploring the Role Angels Play in Believers' Lives Today
Buck, Roland
Paperback
Bible Basics for Catholics (Expanded Edition): A New Picture of Salvation History
Bergsma, John
Paperback