A new book answers that question just in time for the 70th anniversary of Robinson's first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, a day Major League Baseball has set aside to honor Robinson's memory.

"Much has been written about Robinson. But little has been said about how his faith carried him through the torment and abuse he suffered," said Chris Lamb, co-author of "Jackie Robinson: A Spiritual Biography; The Faith of a Boundary-Breaking Hero."

Robinson faced death threats daily, and no one -- not even his teammates --wanted to be around him. "He was surrounded by nothing but hate," Lamb said. "Pitchers threw at his head, and base runners tried to cleat him."

Understanding Robinson's faith is necessary to understand how he dealt with the brutal racism that came with breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier, and also with overcoming racism and poverty as a child, his court-martial in the U.S. Army, and his work as a civil rights activist after he retired from baseball, Lamb said.

Not many are aware of the role faith played in Robinson's life for a simple reason, Lamb said: "He didn't like to talk about it."

"Only when we see faith in every part of Robinson's life, from his birth to his death, will we understand that Robinson was a man for whom Christian faith acted as a source of inspiration and motivation, comfort and strength, wisdom and direction," Lamb said.

Click here to read this story in its entirety.

Indiana University

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Texas Governor Signs Bill Banning 'Abortion Inducing Drugs' after Seven Weeks of Pregnancy

Biden Endorses Controversial Bill Guaranteeing Abortion 'Without Limitations'

Another BOMBSHELL: FDA Staffer Suggests Nazi-Style Registry during Undercover Video

Florida Judge Halts City's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

PRAY: 'She Was the Best Mother'; Special Police Officer Murdered, Killer Still at Large; 'I'm gonna let God have the vengeance' Says Husband

Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide $1 Billion for Israel's Iron Dome after Progressives Had Eliminated It

Thousands Attend Sukkot Priestly Blessing in Jerusalem

FDA Panel Unequivocally Rejects COVID Vaccine Booster Shots for Most Americans

Experts Warn of COVID Vaccine Risks at FDA Hearing: 'The Vaccines Kill More Than They Save'

Federal Govt Whistleblower Goes Public with Secret Recordings: 'Government Doesn't Want to Show the [COVID] Vaccine is Full of '----'

Is Australia Under Lockdown Still a Free Country? 'The Media Has Just Scared People Senseless'

Dems to Vote on Iron Dome Funding This Week after Nixing it from Spending Bill: 'Iron Dome Saves Lives. Blocking Funding for Iron Dome Helps Terrorists Kill Civilians'

Biden Admin Says It's Sending Bridge Migrants Back to Haiti, but Thousands Actually Being Released into US

'Satan's Power Was Defeated Tonight': Tennessee HS Football Team Defies School Board, Holds Post-Game Prayer

Skillet's John Cooper Was Promised Fame if He Stopped 'Talking about Jesus' – It Was a 'Turning Point in My Career'

Oregon Senators File Grand Jury Petition Alleging CDC, FDA Violated Federal Law By Inflating COVID Death Data

Virginia Introduces QR Codes to Verify COVID-19 Vaccination

New York, California Hospitals Reverse Religious Exemption Denials after Workers Fight Vaccine Mandates

Biden Tells UN 'America Is Back' But Foreign Leaders Fume after 'Greatest Debacle in NATO's History'

'Gigantic Fraud the Media Perpetrated on the Country': Indictment in Russia Hoax Investigation Points to Hillary's Camp