Ministers of Reconciliation: Preaching on Race and the Gospel
How to Talk About Race
2021 Top Shelf Book Cover Award Winner
2022 ECPA Christian Book Award Finalist for Ministry Resources
Race is one of the most pressing issues of our time; how should pastors tackle it from the pulpit?
In this collection of essays, issues of race and ethnicity are explored from a variety of perspectives, offering guidance to pastors on how to address those topics in their own contexts. Each builds on a foundational passage of Scripture. With contributions from Matthew D. Kim, Dhati Lewis, J. D. Greear, and more, Ministers of Reconciliation offers practical and biblically faithful approaches to the subject of race.
Contributors include:
- Raymond Chang
- Daniel Darling
- J. D. Greear
- J. Daniel Hays
- Matthew D. Kim
- Dhati Lewis
- Bryan Loritts
- Ray Ortlund
- Joey Royal
- Juan R. Sanchez
- Jamaal Williams
- Lemanuel Williams
- Jared C. Wilson
Top Highlights
“The doctrine of the image of God teaches us that all people have inherent value, worth, and dignity in God’s eyes. No person is worth more or worth less. Regardless of color, race, ethnicity, gender, and other possible human distinctions, every person deserves respect and equal treatment by virtue of being made in God’s image. How we celebrate the image of God will look differently in each ecclesial context, but one practical way to celebrate the image of God in every culture is, as you preach and lead worship, not to draw attention to a person’s race/ethnicity in the first or even subsequent visits.” (Page 8)
“We often claim, in a well-meaning attempt at unity, to ‘not see color,’ but God sees color. To imagine it away is to not behold God’s intricate design described by David. But to see color is to embrace the beautiful kaleidoscope of color in this new kingdom of God. This is what God is doing, this is where we are headed, this is the work of Jesus.” (Pages 18–19)
“The Hebrew word ‘Cushite’/‘Cush’ is used fifty-five times in the Old Testament, almost always in reference to an ancient and powerful African kingdom located along the Nile River just to the south of Egypt.” (Page 23)
“God never intended for people to have dominion over others. Only God is in the position to have dominion over us all” (Pages 6–7)
“‘If the church fails to apply the central truth of Christianity to social problems correctly” (Page 90)
- Foreword by Russell Moore
- “Preaching on Race in View of the Image of God” by Matthew D. Kim
- “Known, Seen, and Designed by God” by Daniel Darling
- “Jeremiah and His Unexpected Rescuer” by J. Daniel Hays
- “Race and the Great Commission” by J. D. Greear
- “Building the Temple with Wisdom” by Lemanuel Williams
- “How God Addresses Our Prejudices” by Bryan Loritts
- “Engaging Communities with the Reconciling Power of the Gospel” by Dhati Lewis
- “Caring for the ‘Minority’ in Your Midst: Giving Greater Honor” by Raymond Chang
- “The Ministry of Reconciliation” by Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr.
- “The Gospel and Ethnic Justice in Galatians 2” by Jared C. Wilson
- “Reconciled under the Lordship of Christ” by Jamaal Williams
- “The Chosen People and Racial Reconciliation” by Juan R. Sanchez
- “Racial Reconciliation and the Victory of Christ” by Joey Royal
- Title: Ministers of Reconciliation: Preaching on Race and the Gospel
- Editor: Daniel Darling
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2021
- Pages: 160
- Format: Logos Digital, Hardcover
- Trim Size: 5x8
- ISBN: 9781683594772
Daniel Darling is senior vice-president of communications for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) and author of several books including The Dignity Revolution: Reclaiming God’s Rich Vision for Humanity and A Way with Words: Using Our Online Conversations for Good.