The pastoral team is committed to the study of issues related to race, ethnicity, justice and diversity in the church. We want to provide church members with resources we feel are helpful and timely on these issues. By including a resource by particular author or speaker we are not necessarily commending everything that person produces or says. And there may be points or statements we agree with more than others in a particular resource. We include sources we find to be generally credible and reliable in both their public and private witness. This list will be updated on a regular basis so it remains a relevant tool.
Top Five Books
Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian, John Piper, 2011. 293 pages. If you are looking for a place to start or might only read one book on ethnic harmony, make it Piper’s book. He includes his story of racism in his own upbringing and the key biblical texts that address ethnic issues.
Mother to Son: Letters to a Black Boy on Identity and Hope, Jasmine Holmes, 2020. 151 pages. This is a gracious, discerning, gospel-centered introduction to black experience and identity in America, written in the form of letters to her sons. The book is short and very accessible.
Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race—And Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us, Benjamin Watson, 2015. 218 pages. Watson is a former NFL player who has provided a wise, honest, and hope-filled response to race issues in America. This book is not intended to be an expositional or theologically-driven treatment of race, but is intended to promote understanding, fruitful dialogue, unity, and justice.
Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility, George Yancey, 2006. 197 pages. Yancey provides a gracious critique of secular models of dealing with racism, such as colorblindness and white responsibility. He presents a distinctly Christian approach to ethnic harmony that highlights our sin nature, the work of Christ, mutual responsibility, and how to talk about race.
Let Justice Roll Down, John Perkins, 1976. 219 pages. Perkins tells his powerful story of ethnic injustice, forgiveness, and the power of the gospel to promote racial harmony and justice. He believes that “ Only the power of Christ’s crucifixion on the cross and the glory of His resurrection can heal the deep racial wounds in both black and white people in America.”
Top Five Online Resources
Calling the Next Generation to Racial Reconciliation, Trip Lee (28-minute video)
What the Bible Teaches About Ethnic Harmony, Andy Naselli (44-page article)
George Floyd and Me, Shai Linne
Ten Ways to Pursue Ethnic Harmony in Your Church, John Piper (41-minute message and transcript)
The Doctrines of Race: A Call to Make Christ Central, David Mathis
Additional Online Resources
Audio and Video
How the Gospel of Grace Speaks to Race, Trip Lee (3-minute video)
The Gospel and Ethnic Unity, Shai Linne (54-minute audio)
The 9Marks Podcast: Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman
Moving Beyond Racial Gridlock in a Divided Nation, George Yancey (1 hour video)
Grace, Justice, and Mercy: Tim Keller and Bryan Stevenson (1 hour and 10 minute video)
Justice, The Bible Project (6-minute animated video)
On Disagreements in the Church Over Racial Issues, Brian Davis (6-minute video)
Blog Posts
Mizzou and a More Excellent Way, Isaac Adams
Preserving the Richness of Racial Diversity, John Stott
My Heart Breaks for Kenosha, Mike Bullmore
A Biblical Approach to Protest, Dr. Carl Ellis
Seven Points of Clarification, Dr. Carl Ellis
Structural Racism: The Child of Structural Pride, John Piper
Critical Race Theory, John Piper
Not White Fragility, Mutual Responsibility, George Yancey
We Must Find a Better Way to Talk about Race, Kevin DeYoung
Articles
Tim Keller’s articles on justice and race:
3. A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory
Sever the Root of Racism, Ch. 32 in Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, John Piper
A Pastoral Letter on Racism and the Gospel, Ligon Duncan
Additional Books
Biblical Studies
From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race, J. Daniel Hays
One New Man: The Cross and Racial Reconciliation in Pauline Theology, Jarvis Williams
God’s New Humanity: A Biblical Theology of Multiethnicity for the Church, David E. Stevens
Love and Relationships
Weep with Me: How Lament Opens a Door for Racial Reconciliation, Mark Vroegop
Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win, John Perkins
More Than Equals: Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel, Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice
United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity, Trillia Newbell
Respect the Image: Reflecting Human Worth in How We Listen and Talk, Timothy Shorey
How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics?, Leeman and Naselli
African-American Experience
Free At Last?: The Gospel in the African American Experience, Carl Ellis Jr.
Black and Reformed: Seeing God’s Sovereignty in the African-American Christian Experience, Anthony J. Carter
American History
The Problem of Slavery in Christian America: An Ethical-Judicial History of American Slavery and Racism, Joel McDurmon
A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass
Who Is An Evangelical?: The History of a Movement in Crisis, Thomas Kidd
Biblical Justice
Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes Us Just, Tim Keller
Good News about Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World, Gary Haugen
When Helping Hurts: How To Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself, Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
What is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission, Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert
How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age, Jonathan Leeman
Critiques of Secular Justice
Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask about Social Justice, Thaddeus Williams
Engaging Critical Theory and the Social Justice Movement, Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer
Sociology
Redeeming Sociology: A God-Centered Approach, Vern Poythress
Ethnic Identity from the Margins: A Christian Perspective, Dewi Hughes
Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk & True Flourishing, Andy Crouch
Children’s Books
God Made Me and You, Shai Linne
God’s Very Good Idea, Trillia Newbell
ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us, Dorena Williamson
