The Cross and the Switchblade

The Cross and the Switchblade (1962) is a best-selling memoir written by Reverend David Wilkerson with Christian authors John and Elizabeth Sherrill. It is an autobiographical account of Wilkerson’s time as a Pentecostal minister working with troubled youth in New York City in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Wilkerson believes he is called by God to help young people turn away from drugs and crime. He faces many personal and fiscal challenges as he goes about his work, but he overcomes these to set up a successful ministry known as the Teen Challenge Center. Major themes in the book include Redemption Through Baptism of the Holy Spirit, The Sacrifices Necessary for Missionary Work, and The Societal Roots of Gang Violence.

This guide uses the 1977 Jove mass-market edition, which is available as an ebook.

Content Warning: The source material contains descriptions of drug abuse and addiction, sexual and physical violence against minors, and animal cruelty. Additionally, the source material endorses dated ideas about sex workers, sexually active women, and persons with substance use disorders. The source text also shows anti-gay bias and is prejudiced against Black and Hispanic people.