Redeemer Presbyterian Church Downtown Resources:
Race, Ethnicity and the Gospel
While the concept of race is a social construct, it is surely a social construct that has had far-reaching and often devastating consequences for both the church and society in America and in the world. As Emerson and Smith write “Race is intimately tied to the American experience … It is indivisible from American life.” Few would disagree. But most would also agree that race-related issues in America are profoundly complex. Diagnosing the complexities well is crucial to prescribing remedies that will effectively address the brokenness in American society that has arisen from our history regarding race. Because God profoundly values every human life and because that value has not always been acknowledged and manifested, racial injustices ought to be profoundly disturbing to every follower of Jesus. We long for a society in which God’s ways and purposes are honored.
Below is a list of resources to help us think biblically about the issues regarding race in the society and church in America. We have decided to put forth resources that address these issues from a Christian perspective. None of these perspectives are unalloyed from error or are exempt from needing correction. You are encouraged to read thoughtfully, like adults who chew the meat and spit out the bones. Still, we have tried to collect resources that take the biblical perspective seriously.
This does not mean that secular authors don’t have profound and meaningful insights into race-related issues. We believe that we should read and listen both widely and critically. The internet is filled with fascinating and important “orthodox” and “heterodox” perspectives on race and its impact on society. In the abundance of counselors, there is wisdom. Allow those who take alternative positions to challenge you. Our goal is to reach unity in the truth. Our goal is the kingdom of God not the kingdoms of men. So pray, read, interact and pray again. We are confident that if we do so we will increasingly achieve the mind of Christ on this and many other challenges the church faces. We will increasingly become “one in heart and mind” (Acts 4:32).
We are grateful to be on this journey together with all of you to pursue unity in the truth. We long for that day when God’s kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. We long for that day when all the brokenness in the world will be obliterated. We long for the day when everything that grieves God is abolished. In the meantime, let’s interact graciously and then act courageously to hasten the coming of that kingdom.