by JP Scratches

The Northwest has long enjoyed the music of James Croone and his group the Emerald Street Boys ~ Seattle’s legendary Rap group whose claim to fame includes Seattle’s first pressed rap album in 1983, and boasting legendary hip hop radio personality Nasty Nes Rodriguez as their DJ (prior to his joining Sir Mixalot’s group).

After a spiritual awakening Dr. Croone left music to focus on education and a call to ministry; receiving his doctorial degree and founding Seattle Urban Bible College.

Now, after a decade of community outreach Dr. Croone has released Seymour & Parham: The Move of God Amid Relationship and Conflict.

If the walls at 312 Azusa Street could speak, they would surely tell of the “color line washed away by the Blood.” But what would they say about the relationship between the two men at the center of the charismatic phenomenon? Author James D. Croone, Sr., examines the story within the story.

Was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that touched off a worldwide Pentecostal movement able to touch the heart of its prophet? Or would this color line, what W. E. B. DuBois called “the problem of the twentieth century” and “a matter of cultural patterns, perverted teaching and human hate and prejudice, which …caused endless evil to all men” wreak havoc even in this cherished sanctuary?

The author finds that the walls of Azusa Street Mission indeed speak volumes. This book explores the relationship between Pentecostal pioneers William J. Seymour and Charles F. Parham by examining the doctrine of God at the core of their bond, the laws and societal norms at the beginning of the twentieth century that impacted interactions across racial lines, and the cultural divide that had shaped two very different contexts for religious experience and worship practice.

As the world grows more and more chaotic; we need more authors like Dr. Croone who have a genuine interest in building bridges between all peoples.  This book is highly recommend!

Copies are available at https://www.amazon.com/Seymour-Parham-Move-Relationship-Conflict/dp/1502499762/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479950535&sr=8-1&keywords=james+croone.