How should pastors preach on race and ethnicity? What does the Bible have to say about our current cultural moment? In Ministers of Reconciliation, Lexham Press presents a primer for preaching on race and the gospel.
Preaching on Race in View of the Image of God
Edited by Daniel Darling, this collection of 13 essays calls preachers to continue Christ’s ministry of reconciliation in their pulpit ministry. Its contributions come from a diverse lineup of pastors, including J. D. Greear, Dhati Lewis, Ray Ortlund, and Juan R. Sanchez. The book argues that the message of racial reconciliation is urgent and one that all pastors must consider.
After a foreword from Russell Moore, Gordon-Conwell professor Matthew D. Kim begins the book with the chapter, “Preaching on Race in View of the Image of God.” His examination of Genesis 1:27 is a fitting introduction to ground the rest of the book in the Bible. Racism is explicitly called out as sin, and Kim writes that fighting it in our sermons is an active way of celebrating the image of God in all persons to the glory of God.
Giving Greater Honor to the “Minority” in Your Midst
Pastor Bryan Loritts looks at Acts 10 in “How God Addresses Our Prejudices.” He introduces the concept of race in the sociological sense and describes how it’s possible to preach and be prejudiced at the same time. He concludes that the gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached to build community, experience a life-changing event, and confront our prejudices and replace them with compassion.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 is the text that Asian American Christian Collaborative President Raymond Chang writes on Giving Greater Honor to the “Minority” in Your Midst. To be without social power and honor, and to be separated in superior and inferior groups goes against God’s design for diversity in the church. Chang challenges preachers to recontextualize and apply the whole gospel message to promote unity and break dividing walls with wisdom and love.
Care Like Christ, Our Chief Shepherd
This book was written with COVID-19, political unrest, and social turmoil in the background. It speaks directly to our time while staying tethered to the timeless truths of the Gospel message. Reading this book will challenge you to preach the whole counsel of God. It will give you courage to address the contentious topics of race and ethnicity in your local church. And it will calm your soul as you look to Christ, our kind and caring Chief Shepherd, who brings other sheep into his fold.
I received a media copy of Ministers of Reconciliation and this is my honest review.