Kevin Jones - Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention: Diverse African American and White Perspectives

Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention

Copyright 2017 by Jarvis J. Williams and Kevin M. Jones Sr.

Published by B&H Academic

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4336-4334-7

Dewey Decimal Classification: 286.132

Subject Heading: SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION \ SOUTHERN BAPTISTS \ SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES \ RACISM

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Through their book Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention, Jarvis Williams and Kevin Jones offer a gift of grace to Southern Baptists. The sin of racism universally plagues the human conscience and history bears testimony to the fact that Southern Baptists are by no means immune. Yet, what greater opportunity for the reconciling power of the gospel to be displayed than in a denomination birth marked with the sin of racism? Contributors to this work can seldom avoid referencing their personal stories, evidencing the extent to which the book reveals the souls of the authors. Rest assured, the chapters will also touch the souls of the readers. Southern Baptists have needed this book for a long time. Thank you, Jarvis Williams and Kevin Jones, for having the courage to provide it. Might it push us towards greater faithfulness in love and reconciliation.

Paul H. Chitwood, executive director, Kentucky Baptist Convention

Removing the Stain of Racism is not only essential reading for all who are committed to racial reconciliation in the SBC, but is a call to genuine repentance and gospel-centered living for Christ-followers everywhere. In so many ways, the book marks a moment of celebration for the sanctified progress that has been made in intercultural relations in recent years. On the other hand, the book sadly and starkly reminds readers of our fallenness and ongoing failures. Readers should reflect with care, doing so with an open Bible along with a prepared heart, recognizing the need for continued faithfulness, further illumination, and enhanced understanding. Jarvis Williams, Kevin Jones, and the contributors to this most-important volume are to be commended and congratulated for producing this bold and timely work.

David S. Dockery, president, Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In this important, beautifully edited volume, Jarvis J. Williams and Kevin Jones bring together a tour de force of authors and knowledge. The brilliance of this book is we are not simply told of a need to remove the stain of racism, we are shown howbiblically, theologically, ethically, pastorally, administratively, educationally, and much more. A true gift to the churchwhether Southern Baptist or any other branch of the Christian faiththis is a must read for those serious about removing the deep stain of racism.

Michael O. Emerson, provost, North Park University,
and co-author of Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion
and the Problem of Race in America

Topics ranging from biblical studies, to Southern Baptist history and theology, to educational philosophy and implementation, to contemporary analyses of race relations today, are all arrayed with prophetic voice to address the stain of racism. Though the focus is on the SBC, the writers bring this voice to the church of Jesus Christ in general. I applaud the expertise and courage of each contributor.

Bruce L. Fields, professor of faith and culture, Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In describing the existential dilemma of being both a Negro and an American in the 20th century, W.E.B. DuBois wrote the following: One ever feels his two-nessan American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. Replace American with Southern Baptist and you arrive at what many, if not most, black evangelicals continue to experience in Southern Baptist life. This timely work unpacks this experience via personal narrative and gospel-centered expertise. Since its very inception, the Southern Baptist Convention has often served as exhibit A of the co-constituted nature of religion and race. From their respective sites of Convention service, contributors reckon with this history and its present impact, while considering important themes like white supremacy, racial bias, representation, power, privilege, paternalism, enduring notions of intellectual inferiority/superiority, etc. And while the authors are conversant with these thematicsgiven their usefulness for the purpose of analysis and diagnosisthey are clear that, at root, the fundamental problem is sin, and the ultimate remedy, the power of the gospel. Nevertheless, the stain of racismin terms of the black/white binary in particular (and for legitimate reasons)is rightly centered as a topic worthy of exclusive attention. No one considers it unorthodox to spray spot removal on a specific stain before placing the item in the washer. Likewise, no one avoids a stain in the hope that it will be removed by washing around it. No, we must not fear the conversation. Yes, racism is alive and at work in the SBC. But so is Jesus. This work deals honestly with the former and points us all to the hope inherent in the latter. Southern Baptists of every shade ought to take up and read!

Steven Harris, director of advocacy, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

The stain of racism has been on our convention for far too long. As Southern Baptists, weve made great strides over the past two decades, yet our work is not done. Williams and Jones offer gospel-saturated biblical insights on how we can see Christ purge not only our convention but his global bride from every sinful implication of racism. Im hopeful for the future of our cooperative work in mission together, and believe we can learn from Removing the Stain of Racism in such a way that we will reflect Christs body as seen in Revelation 7:9.

D. A. Horton, pastor, Reach Fellowship, North Long Beach, CA,