Racism

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How should we articulate the spiritual disfigurement caused by our racialized society and then chart a course toward authentic racial reconciliation through the Body of Christ?

"Race relations are fraught with land mines," Michael Emerson warns, because racial groups tend to define racism differently-with whites emphasizing overt acts of prejudice and discrimination, and people of color focusing on group inequalities and unjust systems. Joseph Parker describes the invisibility of racially dominated systems and individual actions in America. In Gregory of Nyssa's radical critique of slavery, Kimberly Flint-Hamilton finds theological insights for lifting "the veil of oppression"-the cultural blindness motivated by privilege.

Mikeal Parsons explores how from God's covenant with Abraham, "Luke gleans a radical vision of God's people as inclusive of all who profess the lordship of Jesus Christ, regardless of socio-economic standing, physical appearance, or ethnic or racial identity."

Victor Hinojosa, Kathleen Garces-Foley, and Damian Emetuche embrace the promise and report the difficulties of multiracial congregations. Warning against "ecclesial sloth," Hinojosa writes, "Instead, we must recognize that what God is doing-reconciling us to God and to one another-is often painful, difficult work."

Christian Reflection is an ideal resource for discipleship training in the church. Multiple copies are available for group study at $3.00 per copy.

The study guides and lesson plans integrate Bible study, prayer, and worship to explore the centrality of apocalyptic imagination in the Christian life. The study guides can be used in a series or individually. You may download and reproduce them for personal or group use.