More Than Equals: Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel

by Spencer Perkins, Chris Rice

Here is living proof that white and black Christians can live together. When Spencer Perkins was sixteen years old, he visited his bloodied and swollen father (pastor John Perkins) in jail. Police had beaten the black activist severely, and Spencer never forgot the moment. He couldn't imagine living in community with a white person after that. But his plans were changed. Chris Rice grew up in very different circumstances, of "Vermont Yankee stock," attending an elite Eastern college and looking forward to a career in law and government. But his plans were changed. Spencer and Chris became not only friends, but yokefellows--partners for more than a decade in the difficult ministry of racial reconciliation. From their own hard-won experience, they show that there is hope for our frightening race problem, that whites and African-Americans can live together in peace. This revised and expanded edition includes a new introduction, a new afterword, a new study guide, updated resources and a new chapter by Spencer, "Playing the Grace Card." In compellingly practical detail, Chris and Spencer present their hope, which is boldly and radically Christian. "The cause of racial reconciliation needs yokefellows," they argue, ". . . not solely for the sake of racial harmony--even though it will lead to that--but for the witness of the gospel."

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction, Cultural, Nonfiction, Race, Christian Living

285 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Steve Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I met Spencer and Chris (twice) in the late 90s, they blew me away. They spoke at a campus where I was a chaplain, and then I brought a group of students to Voice of Calvary Ministries in Jackson, and we spent a couple of hours with Chris and Spencer around the dining room table at Antioch, just a week or two before Spencer's death. They moved me, and I learned so much about valuing both racial justice and racial reconciliation through their teaching and example.

Re-reading this book, that's still there, but it feels more dated to me. Race in America has changed - both for better and for worse - over the past 20 years, so that's natural. The Bible work feels too simplistic to me now as well. Otherwise, though, still so grateful for their teaching and legacy. And the practical roadmap for racial justice and reconciliation and friendship they lay out still largely holds, I think.

[Tyler Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book written 30 years ago about racial reconciliation, I wish society would have moved forward enough to make this book more out of date than it is. Most everything in it felt relevant to today. I agreed mostly with their take on racial reconciliation and I appreciated the practical advice they give to seeking racial reconciliation in our personal lives. A great book for practical responses to bridging the racial divide in our personal lives, less great for learning about why the racial divide is there (but I don't think that was the intent 🤷🏼‍♂️)

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody, absolutely EVERYBODY, yes, that means YOU, should read this book. The Gospel is not only about reconciling us to God, but to each other as well. So touching and real. A must-read for EVERYONE!

[Anna Stamborski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top five necessary books for those interested in racial reconciliation

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. From page 217: "I can't help the fact that I don't have to be intentional about affirming my whiteness. But I can educate myself in order to affirm blackness as well as whiteness. I can't change the fact that I didn't know the other race where I grew up. But I can decide who my friends are now. I can't change the fact that I was raised in churches where everybody looked like me. But I can choose what Christians influence my life now. I can't rub away what adults taught and demonstrated to me in my childhood. But I can raise my children to appreciate and understand people who are different. I can't help the fact that I have benefited from slavery and the oppression of blacks. But I can choose to use these benefits in a way that builds justice for everyone."

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of interesting to read right after Divided by Faith. More than Equals heavily focuses on the relationship between individuals of different races, and the repercussions of this relationship. Divided by Faith stated that while interracial relationships are important, it is usually not until whites are extensively networked with members of other races before they are deeply impacted and begin to recognize injustices. Divided by Faith also mentioned that relationships are just the beginning; we need to look at structural issues, whereas More than Equals made almost no mention of structural problems.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer Perkin's father John Perkins spoke at a missions conference at Third Pres several years ago and made quite an impression, so I was attracted when I saw this book by his son Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice, a northern white guy of about the same age. The two men write candidly and sometimes quite painfully about an intentional community they formed that involved a house with black and white Christians living together. The book helped me think through some issues and to see how we can't settle for just superficial unity, but that real unity takes alot of work.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the College Preparation curriculum that we are using to equip minority students for leadership and excellence on largely homogenous campuses.

The book is good overall... I think racial reconciliation is an end to itself and should be done as part because it is right and good and hopefully, to that end... it represents that which faith is to represent in our lives-- self-sacrifice, kindness, justice.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our church read this in February as part of our annual Unity Month conversation. If you have any interest in the topic of racial reconcilation, particularly inside the Christian church, then I recommend you read this book. (It has some hope in it, a nice antidote to the utter hopeless of Coates' Between the World and Me)

[RF]

Recommended by a woman who has done black/white supper clubs for over ten years. They use this book to get the conversations rolling. We are hoping to start such clubs in our house group...

BTW - Spencer is John Perkins's son...

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several books out now that speak just as well about racial reconciliation, but I especially appreciate how the two authors use their distinct voices together to give us a better perspective. I recommend this book to anybody.

[Tag Tuck]

Lots of things to chew on. Written 20 years ago and still relevant today. Gives very common advice about black and white relationships. Even has a chapter about interracial marriage. A great primer if you are looking for a place to start.

[Sarah Lozecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time through this book and it is harder this time since as a staff of racially diverse people we are having to admit our humanity to one another and that is uncomfortable.

[Iv · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for anyone that is going through any racial or prejudices within themselves or with others.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book did a really good job of using a Christian perspective to explore issues of race in our country. An enjoyable and quite thought-provoking read.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes the hard parts of true racial reconciliation real, while driving home the message that we need to get through that tough stuff to fulfill God's vision for this world.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds us of the call for reconciliation. The Body of Christ will be the only place racial reconciliation can truly happen. My heart of hearts.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the authors come to our campus. Very helpful book on racial reconciliation.