For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Ephesians 2:14-16 ESV
It is the reconciling power of the Gospel that compels us in ongoing work of engaging in Christ-centered racial reconciliation, which include breaking down barriers of division, hostility and separation caused by the sin of racism. At the heart of the Gospel is the message and ministry of reconciliation (Corinthians 5:14-21), where through the Cross of Christ, we are reconciled both to God and to one another. As the reconciling people of God, we are further compelled by the heavenly vision of a day when people of all ethnicities and cultures, who have been reconciled to God through faith in Christ, will be gathered together in perfect harmony to worship God forever and fully restored to God’s good intention for humankind (Revelation 7:9-10).
What do we even mean by Christ-Centered Racial Reconciliation?
Read my brief white paper
Resources for Racial Reconciliation
Although there are many excellent resources available, below is a brief listing of books, articles, movies/documentaries, studies and events that we believe will serve to prepare, equip and mobilize the people of God to engage humbly in the deep but necessary work of racial reconciliation. It is also important to add that while these resources are recommended, that does not imply endorsement nor agreement with everything presented by these authors and presenters. As always, it is wise to use discretion and spiritual discernment. Furthermore, all resources are supplementary to the authoritative Word of Holy Scripture.
Recommended Readings:
- Letters to a Birmingham Jail: A Response to the Words and Dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Dream With Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
- The Post-Black & Post-White Church: Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World
- Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian
- Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments, and Practices of a Diverse Congregation
- Welded: Forming Racial Bonds That Last
- Right Color, Wrong Culture: The Type of Leaders Your Organization Needs to Become Multiethnic (A Leadership Fable)
- The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race
- Roadmap to Reconciliation: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness and Justice
- Let Justice Roll Down
- Talking About Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations
- The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity
- The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism
Movies/Documentaries
- Selma (PG-13)
- Just Mercy (PG-13)
- Same Kind of Different As Me (PG-13)
Articles
- We Need to Be Uncomfortable (The Gospel Coalition)
- How to Talk About Race with Your Kids (Christianity Today)
Related Sermons:
- Peacemakers (Pt. 1): Ambassadors of Reconciliation
- Exodus (Series)
- The Gospel According to Exodus (Exodus Pt. 1)
- Drawn Out (Exodus Pt. 2)
- A Holy Rabble (Exodus Pt. 10)
- For Such A Time As This
- Love Where You Live (Series)
- Local Knowledge (Pt. 3)
- Neighboring (Pt. 4)
- Neighboring II (Pt. 5)
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