Racial Reconciliation Resources
The Color of Compromise by Jamar Tisby
This book is a very helpful survey of the history of how the church in America has been consistently complicit in both setting up and maintaining a racialized structure in America that advantages some and disadvantages others. Written by a committed believer with a deep love for the church, this book gives a perspective on American History that most people were never exposed to in high school or college. This book demonstrates how the church has often failed in the past, and calls the church to become a prophetic force to work for godly righteousness and justice for all people.
Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison
Be the Bridge is written by a Black woman who is actively engaged in ministry to bring together people of all ethnicities. The book outlines a methodology and an ethos to encourage honest discussions that move believers towards a deeper understanding of one another. Through personal stories and discussions of history and theology, Morrison encourages Christians to grow in love and empathy so that the church can better reflect the unity that Jesus died for.
Rediscipling the White Church by David Swanson
Swanson makes the case that we are all being “discipled” by the culture in a way that profoundly effects how we understand race, ethnicity, and justice. He argues that this discipleship is largely invisible to most people in the dominant culture. Swanson, who is the pastor of a multicultural church in Chicago, describes racial hierarchies as the operating system that we live in. He exposes the programming of the operating system and describes practical ways that the local church can redisciple people to a Biblical understanding on issues of race and justice.
One Blood by John Perkins
John Perkins has been on the forefront of racial reconciliation for over 50 years. In his “final manifesto on race, faith, and reconciliation,” Perkins describes a way forward that centers around Biblical practices such as lament, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and prayer. Perkins highlights the courage that is necessary in the fight against racism, and inspires readers to live out the gospel by working towards true justice and reconciliation.
White Lies by Daniel Hill
In this powerful book Pastor Daniel Hill exposes the many ways that racial hierarchies continue to exist and divide believers in the body of Christ. Hill demonstrates how the idea of “wokeness” is actually not a helpful concept and artificially divides believers. He argues for the idea that believers are all on a continuum from blindness to sight in understanding the impact that racial hierarchies play in our society and in the church. This is an extremely helpful book in helping White believers to better understand how hierarchies work and how to use Biblical wisdom in unraveling them.