Reconciliation Blues
A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press
- Published: 2008
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Publisher's Description
Merit Award, 2007 Christianity Today Christianity and Culture Book What is the state of racial reconciliation in evangelical churches today? Are we truly united? In Reconciliation Blues journalist Edward Gilbreath gives an insightful, honest picture of both the history and the present state of racial reconciliation in evangelical churches. In his thoughtful overview he looks at a wide range of figures, such as Howard O. Jones, Tom Skinner, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson and John Perkins. Charting progress as well as setbacks, his words offer encouragement for black evangelicals feeling alone, clarity for white evangelicals who want to understand more deeply, and fresh vision for allwho want to move forward toward Christ's prayer "that all of them may be one." Now in paper!
Endorsements (5)
“We've needed a book like this for a long time: strong writing, honest observations and hopeful assessments of a complex but nonnegotiable issue for Christians. By providing both a personal and social perspective of racial tensions within evangelical contexts, Ed Gilbreath has done us a great service--especially if we pay attention.”
“This is must reading for anyone committed to racial reconciliation, but especially to white folks like me who have a long way to go in understanding our African American brothers and sisters.”
“What Gilbreath has done in his well-researched and very personal book is not only to call out the black Christian experience as what it's always been--unique, pain-filled, rich and diverse--but he's given many African American Christians clear validation for not wanting to or having to assimilate into today's version of evangelicalism. Gilbreath has also given people like me--an Asian American Christian who's also felt like the 'token' nonwhite on historically white evangelical boards--more of a basis for our lingering sense of misgiving and even episodes of outrage. I am going to insist not only that my own church staff and leaders read this book; I'm also going to recommend highly that white Christian organizations with the stated goal of racial righteousness study and discuss it. This book clearly stands out among the many other great books on this subject because of the commitment and courage of the author.”
“Ed Gilbreath is one of those prophets who comes out of nowhere with a message from the heart of God. His words make us uncomfortable, but that is the mission of a prophet. . . . Some of what he is saying to us about race and culture is painful to hear, but we must listen.”
“This is a gifted writer's firsthand account of the black evangelical experience in America . . . a beautifully written chronicle of the strange dilemma of being a black evangelical in a predominately white movement. Gilbreath has written a tough account of his experience as a black evangelical, and he wraps the brick in soft velvet. This reads easily, but it is deeply disturbing after all these years. Oh well . . .”
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