I just finished a deeply moving book by Edward Gilbreath, Reconciliation Blues. There is nothing in this book that makes you think Gilbreath, an editor at CT, thinks the end of racialization is imminent. Instead of repeating well-worn figures, Gilbreath introduces his readers to the scene -- what it is like to be African American and evangelical.
Reconciliation Blues is dynamic, forceful, honest, hopeful and realistic story-telling about major figures -- like Tom Skinner and Jesse Jackson and James Earl Massey and Russell Wright and plenty more beside -- and their impact on Gilbreath and the evangelical world. In process, Gilbreath interjects some solid theology, some social critique ("the two primary colors have morphed from black and white to blue and red"), and some potent suggestions (for leaders especially).
In his chp on ML King, Jr., Gilbreath says "What looked like a radical social gospel in the sixties now doesn't seem that different from the activism employed by evangelicals who protest abortion or same-sex marriage -- at least in principle" (108). On Jesse Jackson: "He is forever too political to be embraced as a true minister but too religious to be accepted as a formidable politician" (126).
This is a book that won't make you feel guilty; instead, it will give you imagination to what has been done, what isn't being done, and what can be done.
Buy this book. More importantly read it. And even more importantly discuss it with friends. And then think about what you can do to end the most embarrassing hour of the week for the Church and turn it into a display of what the Lord of the gospel came to do -- set the table for all of us.
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I concur with your evaluation. I especially liked his chapter on Jesse Jackson and the review of how white evangelical's react to him. Despite his respect for Rev. Jackson, it seems Ed is taking a different tactic in dealing with dominant culture--one that will probably engender less defensiveness. It remains to be seen whether this tactic will be any more successful in breaking down barriers between white and black Christians. We can only hope and pray and act.
What is "the most embarassing hour of the week" and why is it embarassing?
if I may, that saying refers to the fact that though Christians say the dividing wall has been removed between Jew and Greek, male and female, Sunday morning is pretty segregated and does not look like the scene around the throne in Revelation where every tongue and tribe worship the Lord together.
Glad you liked Ed's book, Scot. I also commend it to everybody (and not just because I work at the publisher). Ed writes warmly, and his insights into majority white culture and evangelicalism are spot on. As one of a few non-whites at my company, I resonate with his experience, but I'm also grateful for our parent organization's overall commitment to multiethnicity. I just attended an internal Asian American staff conference with over 150 people - one of eight of our employees. Amazing numbers for what a few years ago was a predominantly white organization. At any rate, Ed's book gives me hope that evangelicalism can indeed become the diverse multiethnic community the kingdom of God is intended to be.
Edward Gilbreath is discussing his book Saturday morning, March 31 at Breakthrough's Joshua Center in Chicago. Breakthrough Urban Ministries is First Ev. Free Church's affiliated ministry to the homeless.
http://www.breakthroughministries.com/events/EdGilbreath2.php
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