The Death of Race: Building a New Christianity in a Racial World

by Brian Bantum

Brian Bantum says that race is not merely an intellectual category or a biological fact. Much like the incarnation, it is a “word made flesh,” the confluence of various powers that allow some to organize and dominate the lives of others. In this way racism is a deeply theological problem, one that is central to the Christian story and one that plays out daily in the United States and throughout the world. In The Death of Race, Bantum argues that our attempts to heal racism will not succeed until we address what gives rise to racism in the first a fallen understanding of our bodies that sees difference as something to resist, defeat, or subdue. Therefore, he examines the question of race, but through the lens of our bodies and what our bodies mean in the midst of a complicated, racialized world, one that perpetually dehumanizes dark bodies, thereby rendering all of us less than God's intention.

Genres: Theology, Race, Nonfiction, Spirituality

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book but there are things that could have been improved. For example, it is very dense. I know not all books can be easy reading, especially books about heavy topics like this one, but the paragraphs got to be burdensome, like each sentence was made to be a powerhouse punch instead of a statement that led to a greater point. It felt like thesis statement after thesis statement, and that tired my eyes and mind. I know his writing is very important, but I think it is best read in small doses.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really stunning. Offered so much insightful course correction, analysis of the current moment, and dignity for all of us ravaged by the disease of race.

As someone who, like the author, also straddles racial lines and lives in racial ambiguity, it was especially healing. Again and again, it was affirmation of beauty and dignity. And it was a call to see difference as opportunity for joy, and distance as an opportunity for loving pursuit.

An important and simply beautiful read. Really highly recommended.

[Tim Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death of Race is a book about how the use of race to determine the worth of bodies brings death. Its prose is almost poetry as Brian Bantum weaves together autobiography, theology, and sociology to help us all see the truth of our situation. A read best done slow, The Death of Race is a bracing marinade in the gift of our bodies, difference, and the redemption God may impart.

[Alison Grant (Henry) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bantum speaks on important and powerful topics, but the writing was confusing and repetitive. I would be interesting in reading a second edition if it is revised.

[Al Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: The author, Brian Bantum is one of our pastors at Quest Church in Seattle. And I admire him.

If you want to learn about race listen to someone who is not like you. Dr. Brian Bantum is well equipped to discuss the state of race in today's culture. Brian is a Mulatto mar (mix race, married to a Korean woman, who is technically his boss at church since she is our new Senior Pastor, and father to their three mixed-race boys. He is also the theologian in residence at Seattle's largest multi-racial church and a university professor.

His book is well written, very accessible and potentially healing and helpful if read with the right mindset. I want to let you discover it's contents and experience how it melds with your experiences.

So, in the spirit of letting you, the reader, be impacted by the pages, I will leave you with my above summary the author's credentials rather than my synopsis of his content.

I also encourage you to read this as soon as you can.

[Jackson Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best introductions to thoughts about race and theology. This is an excellent book for reading groups, to buy your pastors, to begin understanding the complexity of existing with dark bodies in America. Bantum is as astutely theological as he is pastoral. A book I would feel comfortable sharing with any Christian curious on the topic.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the topic of race in re Christianity. Clear, lucid prose; helpful stories illustrating his points. I would have given it 5 stars but some unfortunate statements nearing the end detracted from the overall usefulness of the book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Bantum has a way with words and this book is beautiful. He creates poetry in the way he connects his story to theology. I’ve read this book twice and the first time was in Dr. Bantum’s Intro to Theology class. The second time through was just as rich and meaningful as the first.

[Charles Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The style of writing was difficult to read for me..it was a narrative-essay.

[Melanee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is to be read slowly and thought about deeply!

[Mary G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives on the meaning of race within the context of the author's christian beliefs. The author was my professor of Theology at seminary school.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read. Can't recommend Bantum's book highly enough, for ANY theologian at heart who's interested in issues of faith and race.

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant and powerful mediation on race, bodies, and how God coming to us in Christ's incarnation and pulling us in resurrection makes plain the structures of death we put in place to separate ourselves from each other. Whoa! Brian's writing is way better than mine. You should read his book instead of my review.

[Derryck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bantum's theology was pretty good- on its own- but his sociology was bad.