Faithful Antiracism

Moving Past Talk to Systemic Change

Christina Barland Edmondson, Chad Brennan

• Publisher: IVP
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9780830847235
• eBook ISBN: 9780830847242
• Topic: Teología y religión
• Subtopic: Religión

Reader's Choice Award Winner

It's time to move past talk. It's no longer news to most of us that our society has a deep-seated racism problem. Christians of all ethnic and economic backgrounds are tired of seeing the ugly legacy of racism play out before their eyes and feeling ill-equipped to respond. They watch as friends and family members leave the visible church over this issue, or fall prey to a gospel of White nationalism that is an affront to the cross of Christ.

Racism presents itself as an undefeatable foe—a sustained scourge on the reputation of the church. In Faithful Antiracism, Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan take confidence from the truth that Christ has overcome the world, including racism, and offer clear analysis and interventions to challenge and resist its pernicious power. Drawing on brand-new research from the landmark Race, Religion, and Justice Project led by Michael Emerson and others, this book represents the most comprehensive study on Christians and race since Emerson's own book Divided by Faith (2001). It invites readers to put this data to immediate practical use, applying it to their own specific context.

Compelled by our grievous social moment and by the timeless truth of Scripture, Faithful Antiracism will equip readers to move past talk and enter the fight against racism in both practical and hopeful ways.

CHAPTER ONE

FAITHFUL ANTIRACISTS HAVE WISDOM

THE ART OF BEING A FAITHFUL ANTIRACIST (CHRISTINA)

A few years ago, after the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, I taught a group of grief-stricken and frustrated churchgoers and clergy. During the teaching, to the side of the stage, was a local artist hired to paint in real time an image of the speakers and the heart of their message. Throughout my talk, she created a beautiful painting. There were times as the image was being developed it only looked like flashes of color with no rhyme or reason. However, by the end of my teaching it became clear the artist had a plan and skills to accomplish it. As I exited the stage, there it was. A large painting with my likeness and an image of growth and restoration. The artist’s observations, skill, patience, and time-management were on full display. The artist demonstrated wisdom and skill so apparent that it felt like magic. How did she pull this off?

It is fascinating to watch a skilled artist at work. A carpenter building a chair. A fashion designer shaping a dress. A chef meticulously crafting a meal. Step by step, they apply their knowledge, skill, experience, and creativity. Eventually, something functional, stunning, or delicious appears. To those like myself, without such skills, the creation is even more intriguing and beautiful.

Being a faithful antiracist is an art, not a formulaic process. Like painting a picture, building a chair, shaping a dress, or crafting a meal, it requires knowledge, skill, experience, and creativity. Most importantly, it requires the leading of the Holy Spirit. No amount of knowledge or experience can prepare us for every question and situation that will come up. We need a master artist who can guide our hands and help us to create something beautiful.

THE BIBLE’S TEACHINGS ON WISDOM

The Bible’s description of wisdom includes much more than simply knowing facts. It is a combination of humility, creativity, skill, expertise, and competence. For example, in Exodus we see that God gave Bezalel “wisdom” as a master artist so that he could help decorate the tabernacle: “And [God] has filled [Bezalel] with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills” (Exodus 35:31).

The same Hebrew word that is translated “wisdom” (chokmah) in Exodus 35:31 is also used in Psalm 107:27 as a description for sailors who are unable to navigate through a challenging storm. In the NIV, the verse is translated, “they were at their wits’ end.” More literally, “they were at their wisdom’s end.” In other words, their experience, skill, and ingenuity were not enough to save them from an overwhelming circumstance. For a helpful visual overview of the Bible’s teachings on wisdom, we recommend the five-minute video The Book of Proverbs by the BibleProject.1

The Bible calls us to live with wisdom—effectively applying our knowledge and skills to everyday life in ways that align with God’s will and that benefit our own lives, our neighbors, and society. This is true in all areas of our lives, including our approach to racial dynamics. Wisdom isn’t something we muster up in our own strength or by academic study alone. Wisdom is given as a gift and even more specifically as an answer to prayer. As James explains, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

The Bible also emphasizes we must have a healthy “fear” of God in order to grow in wisdom. As Solomon explains, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). Fear in this sense refers to honoring and submitting to God’s will and taking on a posture of humility and teachability. It is acknowledging that God is the source of all wisdom, not ourselves.

We hope and pray this book will help you grow in your wisdom in regard to racial dynamics—that is, your ability to apply your creativity, skills, and knowledge to the complexities of racial dynamics. That requires more than just learning facts and principles. It requires you to ask God for wisdom in a posture of humility and teachability. It also requires you to reflect on the unique mix of experiences and abilities God has given you. How have you been uniquely equipped to be a faithful antiracist?

A DIFFICULT REALITY TO ACCEPT (CHAD)

In the following sections, we will look at research data showing that Christians in some racial groups generally have less accurate racial views than non-Christians within their racial group. When I first began to study racial dynamics in the United States, that was a difficult reality for me to accept. I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember, and I have been surrounded by loving, committed Christians throughout my life. I grew up viewing Christians as people who stand for what is right, love their neighbors, turn the other cheek, and walk the extra mile. But the more I learned about the relationship between Christianity and racial injustice in our country, the more I was disturbed by what I saw.

Studying racial dynamics in US Christianity can challenge our view of our Christian heritage, our respected mentors, our organizations, and ourselves. In the past, I have wanted to dismiss the realities we share in this book as inaccurate, exaggerated, politically motivated, or unfair. If you feel that way, I encourage you to take the time to explore with an open mind the data and historical examples we share, and I believe you will discover what I discovered. There is a tremendous amount of evidence that the views and actions of many Christians, both in the past and present, are very far from what Christ taught and modeled.

Oftentimes, I have wanted to close my eyes and wish it all away or go back to the days when I wasn’t able to see what I can see now, but I am thankful that is not possible. I now realize that my desire to “unsee” racial injustice is an expression of my privilege.2 As Christians we do not need to be afraid of the truth, even when it hurts. As Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). The truth gives us freedom. Lies, denial, and willful ignorance keep us trapped in bondage.

Throughout this book, some readers may feel we are being overly critical of US Christianity. James Baldwin famously said, “I love America . . . and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”3 Similarly, it is our love for the church that compels us to point out the weaknesses that keep it from being the source of light, hope, truth, and love that God desires for it to be. Our criticism is an act of love. We point out these areas of concern for the benefit of the church, individual Christians, and our society.

ABOUT THE GRAPHS WE SHARE

In the remainder of this book, we share graphs displaying how different groups responded in our research. The following are some questions we anticipate may be on your mind.

Why don’t you include the views of multiracial or Indigenous Americans? The data we share in this book primarily focuses White Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Black Americans, and Asian Americans because they are the four largest racial groups in the United States.4 As of 2020, the population of the United States was approximately 60% White, 17% Hispanic/Latino, 13% Black, and 6% Asian.5 The data we have collect...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication Page
• Contents
• Foreword by Korie Little Edwards and Michael O. Emerson
• Introduction
• 1 Faithful Antiracists Have Wisdom
• 2 Faithful Antiracists Apply the Bible
• 3 Faithful Antiracists Stand for Justice
• 4 Faithful Antiracists Understand Our Past
• 5 Faithful Antiracists Understand Our Present
• 6 Faithful Antiracists Understand Racial Trauma
• 7 Faithful Antiracists Do Not Rely on Magic
• 8 Faithful Antiracists Follow the Example of the Early Christians
• 9 Faithful Antiracists Seek Out Help and Help Others
• 10 Faithful Antiracists Effectively Measure Progress
• 11 Faithful Antiracists Help to Change Our Society
• Epilogue
• Acknowledgments
• Appendix A: Key Terms
• Appendix B: Interviewees and Interview Themes
• Notes
• Praise for Faithful Antiracism
• About the Authors
• More Titles from InterVarsity Press
• Copyright