May Book of the Month: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

As we spend time this month engaging with our May Book of the Month, "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave”, I want to highlight a powerful and perhaps lesser-discussed aspect of his life: his deep, personal faith in Christ. Douglass was not only a brilliant writer and tireless advocate for justice—he was also a man whose life reflected the strength, courage, and hope that come from a real and living relationship with God.

In the face of unimaginable cruelty and dehumanization, Douglass held onto a faith that was authentic and liberating. He drew a clear distinction between the hollow, self-serving religion of the slaveholders and the true gospel of Jesus—a gospel rooted in justice, love, and dignity. For Douglass, faith wasn’t a tool of oppression; it was a wellspring of freedom. It gave him the courage to resist, the vision to hope, and the strength to endure. His life reminds us that knowing Christ can fuel a powerful sense of identity, worth, and calling, even in the darkest circumstances.

Reading Douglass’s story is more than a history lesson—it’s another way of learning about the Lord. His narrative invites us to see the gospel alive in the grit of real life. It also challenges us to ask: What does it look like to live faithfully in a broken world? How can we be people who pursue justice and reflect the character of Christ in our time?

It’s important to say this clearly: while people of all backgrounds have faced oppression throughout history, the experience of Black Americans under slavery carries a particular and painful weight in the context of our nation. This book may resonate in different ways for people of different races—and that’s okay. Engaging with these stories requires both humility and courage. Understanding the historical context, and the specific suffering endured by Black people in America, helps us grow in empathy and compassion. And though we’ve made enormous progress as a country, reading stories like Douglass’s helps us see where we've come from—and why the work of justice and reconciliation is ongoing and still so important.

Frederick Douglass’s life is a powerful reminder that faith and justice are not separate paths. His story teaches us that following Jesus means standing against injustice, advocating for the oppressed, and living with a hope that refuses to be extinguished. 

Let’s read this book with open hearts and a willingness to learn—not only from the painful history it reveals, but from the powerful example of a man whose faith shaped his life and legacy. May his story encourage us to follow Christ with greater conviction and compassion.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Drew

1. The Distinction Between True and False Christianity
Douglass powerfully exposes the difference between the genuine gospel of Jesus and the distorted religion used by slaveholders to justify cruelty. He makes it clear that his problem was never with Christianity itself, but with the hypocrisy of those who claimed Christ while denying His love, justice, and mercy. This distinction is a call to all believers to embody the true heart of Christ.

2. The Power of Literacy and Education
Douglass’s journey toward freedom began when he learned to read. Literacy became a tool of liberation and helped to equip him to fight against it. His story underscores the transformative power of knowledge—and challenges us to be people who value truth and seek wisdom.

3. The Dehumanizing Reality of Slavery
Through vivid storytelling, Douglass reveals how slavery stripped people of their identity, family, and dignity. His account doesn’t shy away from hard truths. It forces us to confront the brutal history of our nation—but also helps us better understand the resilience of those who endured it.

4. The Importance of Identity in Christ
Though enslaved, Douglass came to understand that his worth was not defined by his status in society but by his Creator. His growing sense of self—rooted in the image of God—became a quiet revolution of the soul. This spiritual identity gave him the strength to resist, endure, and eventually overcome.

5. The Role of Resistance and Righteous Anger
Douglass did not passively accept injustice. His narrative shows how holy discontent can fuel righteous resistance. From his physical confrontation with a cruel overseer to his escape from slavery, Douglass models a faith that is not passive, but active in the pursuit of justice and dignity.

6. Hope and Redemption Through Faith
Despite overwhelming hardship, Douglass’s story is ultimately one of hope. His faith in God’s justice and providence carried him through suffering and inspired his life’s work as an abolitionist. His testimony reminds us that even in the darkest of systems, the light of Christ can shine through and bring redemption.