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Book Review/ Notes: Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical’s Inside View of White Christianity By Edward Gilbreath / 02.19.10, 05:53 PM
I really enjoyed reading this book. In many ways I am trying to gain a clearer picture of what it means to be an evangelical Christian. I feel that Gilbreath addresses several issues found in evangelicalism that I have been thinking about recently. Growing up in an evangelical church, one aspect that I cannot ignore is the emphasis on individualism. Though I have gained a lot from knowing that Jesus wants a “personal relationship” with us, I have learned that many evangelicals push this point at the expense of being socially aware (or concerned) of what is going on in our world. I now like to talk about an “intimate relationship” with Jesus. I believe in a personal God who desires to walk in intimacy with His creation. An intimate relationship is not an individualistic relationship, but rather it includes both times of solitude as well as times of community. Jesus said that we need to love both God and our neighbor. Racism is thus one of the social concerns that many (white) evangelicals just simply do not care to address. In a world where many think that “white is right,” or at least “normal,” many evangelicals just simply do not want to “stir the pot” of controversy. But wrong is wrong, and the (evangelical) Church must wake up and can no longer afford to not “stir the pot.” This book is a must read for the white evangelical. Here are some insights from the book.
Chapter one: The author paints a picture of his history of often being the only African American in a sea of white folk and some of the challenges he faced doing so.
Chapter two: A look at evangelicalism…
The word itself comes from “evangelion” which is Greek for declaration of good news (p37). This term grew out of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Today the word, “evangelical,” has become interchangeable with terms like Christian right and right wing conservatives. “These names say a lot about morality, politics and maybe even religion, but very little about Jesus’ good news” (p.37).
I like the fact that evangelicals discuss an “encounter with God,” and the fact that they hold the Bible as central to living a life of faith. The problem is that the expression of their faith is often little more than “preaching” at people and getting people to “say a sinner’s prayer.” Following Jesus and proclaiming the good news goes much further than this. In a society of racism and countless injustices, the evangelical church should be at the forefront of speaking and living good news into these situations.
Chapter three: A good discussion on racism and the dangers on being silent.
“You might say, ‘I am not racist. I have not done anything to anyone personally.’ But the problem with racism is that we have to be careful that we d not enjoy the benefits of it. When we silently enjoy the benefits of racism; when we do not protest injustice to those who are poor, powerless and oppressed; when we decide it’s not our problem and go on enjoying the fruits fo a racist system, then we too are racist” (p.49).
Chapter four: A look at Tom Skinner
Chapter five: Discusses the impact of being the “first black in various sectors of society.
Chapter six: Discusses “when blacks quit evangelical institutions.”
“When so many otherwise successful African-American Christians still express frustration and disappointment over the state of race relations in the church, as my research indicates, something is not right. We need to listen and learn” (p.89).
“To me, the proof of racial reconciliation is when the culture of an organization allows for different styles of leadership and self-expression s that people from all cultural backgrounds can be considered competent without hiding their cultural distinctives from others” (p.91)
Chapter seven: A look at MLK Jr.
“The church once changed society. It was a thermostat of society. But today I feel that too much of the church is merely a thermometer, which measures rather tan molds popular opinion” (p.108).
Chapter eight: A Look at Jesse Jackson
Chapter nine: A very important look at politics!
“In many ways, olitical bigotry is America’s new racism.” (p.133)
>> many evangelicals believe that “non-republican opinion” somehw indicates they they are lesser Christian. (p.135).
>> Being a Christian does not mean that you have to be conservative or republical, or American>> they are not equated.
Chapter ten: A look at racism beyond the black and white issue A look at immigration.
“In America today, we are all faced with the choice beween creating life together on the basis of hate for other cultures, languages, and ethnic groups, or working hard to become a free union of many.” (p.148)
Chapter eleven and twelve: A look at singing and preaching and creating a multi-cultural church>> you must be intentional.
A very good book.
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