Jarvis J. Williams - Redemptive Kingdom Diversity: A Biblical Theology of the People of God

In these turbulent times of conflict revolving around race, we need well-articulated thinking grounded in the Word of God. Williams provides that, tracing from Genesis to Revelation what it means to be the people of God. The divine goal always has been to create an ethnically diverse community. Faithfulness to that redemptive call will require Christians to engage this countrys unacceptable social constructs based on racial differences. This book prepares us to embrace that challenge.

M. Daniel Carroll R. , Wheaton College

After tracing the theme of the people of God through Scripture, Williams offers an insightful analysis of contemporary events and how they reveal the distortion of Gods intentions. This is a powerful reflection.

Madison N. Pierce , Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In this book Williams takes a deep dive into the question of diversity and equity within the Christian community. Surveying the identity of the people of God from Eden to the new Jerusalem, Williams makes the argument that diversity is the Edenic ideal and therefore must be the ideal of the redeemed community as well. Although no reader will (or should!) agree with everything Williams writes, this book is an important entry into a critical discussion, from a well-seasoned scholar who is himself immersed in the conversation that must shape the future of the church.

Sandra L. Richter , Westmont College

Renowned biblical scholar Jarvis Williams has revived an often-overlooked biblical theme that speaks powerfully into the beauty of ethnically diverse image-bearers unified by our creator. Redemptive Kingdom Diversity is a deeply exegetical look at the development of Gods multiethnic people that demonstrates a biblical motivation to pursue unity among Gods children.

Walter R. Strickland II , Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Developing a biblical theology of Gods people, this work is intended more as a foundation for racial justice and reconciliation than as a comprehensive theology of it. It provides a resource for discussing and preaching about Christian interracial unity, especially by exploring biblical questions regarding the identity of Gods people in Christ and the important implications this identity has for our unity in diversity.

Craig S. Keener , Asbury Theological Seminary

With the Black Lives Matter movement and systemic racism dominating the headlines, many may wonder if the Judeo-Christian Scriptures are still relevant. The desperate fact is that a Band-Aid will never heal the gaping wound. The God of Jesus Christ matters far more. Williams recaptures the Scriptures radical, transformative vision of Gods incredible love for each of us, a love intended to heal and to bring people together regardless of skin color, social hierarchies, walk of life, or ethnicity. In the face of such sacrificial love, how can we not embrace each other?

A. Andrew Das , Elmhurst University

Williams reminds us once again that the kingdom of God is not just diverse today but has always been diverse. His book offers us a theology that does not dismiss the beautiful distinctions in our ethnicity but shows that we retain those distinctions under the banner of Gods larger church. This book will lead us into conversation about how we merge our multicultural reality into the oneness of the body of Christ. If you are up to the challenge of considering how we promote biblical unity over cultural unity, then allow this book to challenge you.

George Yancey , Baylor University