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Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?: How the Bible Is Good News for People of Color
Among many young people of color, there is a growing wariness about organized religion and Christianity in particular. If Christianity is for everyone, why does the Bible seem to endorse slavery? Why do most popular images of Jesus feature a man with white skin and blue eyes? Is evangelical Christianity "good news" or a tool of white supremacy? As our society increases in ethnic and religious diversity, millennials and the next generation of emerging adults harbor suspicions about traditional Christianity. They're looking for a faith that makes sense for the world they see around them. They want to know how Christianity relates to race, ethnicity, and societal injustices. Many young adults have rejected the Christian faith based on what they've seen in churches, the media, and politics. For them, Christianity looks a lot like a "white man's religion." Antipas L. Harris, a theologian and community activist, believes that biblical Christianity is more affirmative of cultural diversity than many realize. In this sweeping social, theological, and historical examination of Christianity, Harris responds to a list of hot topics from young Americans who struggle with the perception that Christianity is detached from matters of justice, identity, and culture. He also looks at the ways in which American evangelicalism may have incubated the race problem. Is Christianity the White Man's Religion? affirms that ethnic diversity has played a powerful role in the formation of the Old and New Testaments and that the Bible is a book of justice, promoting equality for all people. Contrary to popular Eurocentric conceptions, biblical Christianity is not just for white Westerners. It's good news for all of us.
168 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2020
64 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Antipas L. Harris
10 books8 followersAntipas L. Harris is the present-dean of Jakes Divinity School and associate pastor at The Potter's House of Dallas, TX. He is also the founding dean of the Urban Renewal Center in Norfolk, VA.
Antipas was born and raised in Manchester, Georgia. His parents had 8 children. Antipas is the second from the oldest. He grew to love education as a young boy. Ironically, he had learning challenges but overcame them by the help of his parents and through God's help. Antipas has devoted his life to teaching and sharing God's love through education and ministry.
Antipas is a practical theologian and taught at Regent University for 10 years where he earned tenure. He has also taught at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, New York Theological Seminary, Portland Seminary at George Fox University, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Antipas has received several awards for his leadership, including the 2018 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award; in 2011 he was named among the Top 40 Under 40 in Hampton Roads. He has also been named among John Maxwell's Top 30 national leaders.
Antipas is a sought-after speaker on topics related to theology, biblical studies and social justice. His most recent book 'Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?' available now wherever books are sold.
Antipas approaches every project and assignment with passionate effort to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. His objective is simple; to help people overcome distress, to reinforce faith, to impart comfort through the arts and to provide stability through education. Harris is a true force to be reckoned with, and he’s not done yet. His motto is “Rise to the Call.”
Antipas was born and raised in Manchester, Georgia. His parents had 8 children. Antipas is the second from the oldest. He grew to love education as a young boy. Ironically, he had learning challenges but overcame them by the help of his parents and through God's help. Antipas has devoted his life to teaching and sharing God's love through education and ministry.
Antipas is a practical theologian and taught at Regent University for 10 years where he earned tenure. He has also taught at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, New York Theological Seminary, Portland Seminary at George Fox University, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Antipas has received several awards for his leadership, including the 2018 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award; in 2011 he was named among the Top 40 Under 40 in Hampton Roads. He has also been named among John Maxwell's Top 30 national leaders.
Antipas is a sought-after speaker on topics related to theology, biblical studies and social justice. His most recent book 'Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?' available now wherever books are sold.
Antipas approaches every project and assignment with passionate effort to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. His objective is simple; to help people overcome distress, to reinforce faith, to impart comfort through the arts and to provide stability through education. Harris is a true force to be reckoned with, and he’s not done yet. His motto is “Rise to the Call.”
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 25, 2020
I pre-ordered a copy of Dr. Antipas Harris’ book Is Christianity a White Man’s Religion weeks before the deaths of Ahmaud Arbury, Breonna Taylor, or George Floyd dominated the news cycles. My interest in the book was not because the topic of the African American experience is currently a hot item in the media and in our culture.
I am a white missions pastor at a Southern Baptist Church in Texas. Why would I be interested in a book which, on the surface, seems to be written to African Americans? The answer lies in the fact that I oversee the missions and outreach ministries for a formerly all-white church which is now a multiethnic church. At our church, we have active members who were born in Burma, Nigeria, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Cameroon, Japan, Brazil, Korea, India, Hawaii, and a variety of places in the U.S. and around the world. We also have Native Americans in our church. Many of our church members are non-white and grew up having friends and family members tell them that Christianity is the religion of Europeans and their descendants. Some of our church members who grew up overseas are the first Christ-followers in their families. Some have been persecuted by family members for following a “foreign religion.” I believe that this book will help me to better encourage them to follow the Biblical Jesus.
Our church is also connected with missionaries and churches in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Serbia, Laos, and Zambia. These connections are valuable and personal. We often take trips to assist our coworkers in their gospel work. The last thing we want to do is to substitute the Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ with an American version of Jesus. I believe that Dr. Harris’s work will greatly assist missionaries, especially those who work in cultures that see Christianity as the religion of foreigners.
This book was well written and had a good balance of personal reflection, solid research, and a biblical foundation. That does not mean that this book was an easy read. Dr. Harris and I are both committed Christians with a goal of following Jesus with a high view of scripture. However, growing up white in America and growing up black in America are two different experiences. Our worldviews and our theologies are not identical. Dr. Harris uses some terminology that I would not use. Having said that, one of my values as a leader is to read books that challenge me beyond my comfort zone to be a better Christian and a more effective leader… this book accomplishes both of these things.
I think my favorite chapter was “The Genesis Curse?” I grew up in Tennessee and Mississippi attending public schools. I have a clear memory of attending a 4th-grade school assembly where the presenter showed us slides of Mt. Ararat along with his model of Noah’s Ark. He then told us the story of Noah, along with the “fact” that Ham’s descendants were cursed. In a school assembly of young white and black children, we were told that Ham’s cursed descendants resettled in Africa, which is why many of them became slaves. I appreciate Dr. Harris applying sound hermeneutics to this oft-repeated myth that has no solid basis in either scripture or anthropology.
In summary, “Is Christian a White Man’s Religion” is a must-read for pastors, missionaries, seminary students, and students at Christian colleges. It is also a good choice for any Christian (of any ethnicity) who seeks a biblical perspective on a false understanding of Christianity that keeps many non-white people around the world from coming to Christ.
- Dr. Stu Cocanougher
I am a white missions pastor at a Southern Baptist Church in Texas. Why would I be interested in a book which, on the surface, seems to be written to African Americans? The answer lies in the fact that I oversee the missions and outreach ministries for a formerly all-white church which is now a multiethnic church. At our church, we have active members who were born in Burma, Nigeria, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Cameroon, Japan, Brazil, Korea, India, Hawaii, and a variety of places in the U.S. and around the world. We also have Native Americans in our church. Many of our church members are non-white and grew up having friends and family members tell them that Christianity is the religion of Europeans and their descendants. Some of our church members who grew up overseas are the first Christ-followers in their families. Some have been persecuted by family members for following a “foreign religion.” I believe that this book will help me to better encourage them to follow the Biblical Jesus.
Our church is also connected with missionaries and churches in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Serbia, Laos, and Zambia. These connections are valuable and personal. We often take trips to assist our coworkers in their gospel work. The last thing we want to do is to substitute the Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ with an American version of Jesus. I believe that Dr. Harris’s work will greatly assist missionaries, especially those who work in cultures that see Christianity as the religion of foreigners.
This book was well written and had a good balance of personal reflection, solid research, and a biblical foundation. That does not mean that this book was an easy read. Dr. Harris and I are both committed Christians with a goal of following Jesus with a high view of scripture. However, growing up white in America and growing up black in America are two different experiences. Our worldviews and our theologies are not identical. Dr. Harris uses some terminology that I would not use. Having said that, one of my values as a leader is to read books that challenge me beyond my comfort zone to be a better Christian and a more effective leader… this book accomplishes both of these things.
I think my favorite chapter was “The Genesis Curse?” I grew up in Tennessee and Mississippi attending public schools. I have a clear memory of attending a 4th-grade school assembly where the presenter showed us slides of Mt. Ararat along with his model of Noah’s Ark. He then told us the story of Noah, along with the “fact” that Ham’s descendants were cursed. In a school assembly of young white and black children, we were told that Ham’s cursed descendants resettled in Africa, which is why many of them became slaves. I appreciate Dr. Harris applying sound hermeneutics to this oft-repeated myth that has no solid basis in either scripture or anthropology.
In summary, “Is Christian a White Man’s Religion” is a must-read for pastors, missionaries, seminary students, and students at Christian colleges. It is also a good choice for any Christian (of any ethnicity) who seeks a biblical perspective on a false understanding of Christianity that keeps many non-white people around the world from coming to Christ.
- Dr. Stu Cocanougher
September 17, 2020
Summary: Explores and answers the title question, showing the misreading of scripture and the affirmation of diverse cultures in scripture.
“Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion?” This question has been asked and the idea asserted by followers of the Nation of Islam, the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, and the Five Percent Nation, among others. It is a question facing not only Blacks, but also other peoples of color. Antipas L. Harris, the president and dean of the Jakes Divinity School affirms not only the rich heritage of the Black Church but also demonstrates that this assertion seriously misreads the Bible and its affirmation of diverse cultures.
First, though, he shows the seriousness of the challenge. He notes the departure from the church of social justice-minded millenials as they have witnessed evangelical embrace of conservative politics and pushback against peaceful protests, often opposing the affirmation that Black lives matter. He observes the rising interest in alternative religious groups. He pinpoints the need for the church to address the issue of identity. Does Jesus care about people of color? What does the call to share in the holiness of Jesus mean for one’s identity?
He observes how our reading of scripture has been dominated by a white, Eurocentric interpretation when the Bible arises in a very different culture and context and needs to be interpreted based on that context. He contends that the white Jesus of Hollywood is not the darker skinned Jesus of the Near East. Within the New Testament, Christianity spread to Ethiopia and North Africa. The gospel writer Mark was from Cyrene, in northeast Libya. From Genesis to the New Testament, there was a good deal of ethnic mixing, including in the lineage of Jesus with Rahab the Canaanite, Ruth, the Moabite, and Bathsheba whose husband was a Hittite. He also gives the lie to the curse of Ham being upon Blacks and justifying slavery.
He invites us to read the gospels through dark lenses, to consider how the both the jubilee message of Jesus and his sufferings resonated with former slaves and those who faced the lynching tree. He concludes with inviting us to see the colorful Bible, and to take this message to the streets, to partner with parachurch organizations (PCO’s) to reach disaffected youth, and that Christian leaders must focus on the humility of Jesus and “redeem the faith from perceptions that it’s no more than a mechanism of power in the hands of good ol’ boys.”
Each chapter concludes with a brief “Living it Out” reflection. A strength of this book is that it distills the best of good scholarship to answer the charge that Christianity is the white man’s religion.” It is a good book to read with someone asking the question. Yet this is far from a sterile argument. Harris invites each of us, black or white, to read the Bible with new glasses, to see how God extends his love across diverse peoples and cultures and that the message of the Bible is good news for people of every color. And he invites us to allow that reading to change us.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
“Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion?” This question has been asked and the idea asserted by followers of the Nation of Islam, the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, and the Five Percent Nation, among others. It is a question facing not only Blacks, but also other peoples of color. Antipas L. Harris, the president and dean of the Jakes Divinity School affirms not only the rich heritage of the Black Church but also demonstrates that this assertion seriously misreads the Bible and its affirmation of diverse cultures.
First, though, he shows the seriousness of the challenge. He notes the departure from the church of social justice-minded millenials as they have witnessed evangelical embrace of conservative politics and pushback against peaceful protests, often opposing the affirmation that Black lives matter. He observes the rising interest in alternative religious groups. He pinpoints the need for the church to address the issue of identity. Does Jesus care about people of color? What does the call to share in the holiness of Jesus mean for one’s identity?
He observes how our reading of scripture has been dominated by a white, Eurocentric interpretation when the Bible arises in a very different culture and context and needs to be interpreted based on that context. He contends that the white Jesus of Hollywood is not the darker skinned Jesus of the Near East. Within the New Testament, Christianity spread to Ethiopia and North Africa. The gospel writer Mark was from Cyrene, in northeast Libya. From Genesis to the New Testament, there was a good deal of ethnic mixing, including in the lineage of Jesus with Rahab the Canaanite, Ruth, the Moabite, and Bathsheba whose husband was a Hittite. He also gives the lie to the curse of Ham being upon Blacks and justifying slavery.
He invites us to read the gospels through dark lenses, to consider how the both the jubilee message of Jesus and his sufferings resonated with former slaves and those who faced the lynching tree. He concludes with inviting us to see the colorful Bible, and to take this message to the streets, to partner with parachurch organizations (PCO’s) to reach disaffected youth, and that Christian leaders must focus on the humility of Jesus and “redeem the faith from perceptions that it’s no more than a mechanism of power in the hands of good ol’ boys.”
Each chapter concludes with a brief “Living it Out” reflection. A strength of this book is that it distills the best of good scholarship to answer the charge that Christianity is the white man’s religion.” It is a good book to read with someone asking the question. Yet this is far from a sterile argument. Harris invites each of us, black or white, to read the Bible with new glasses, to see how God extends his love across diverse peoples and cultures and that the message of the Bible is good news for people of every color. And he invites us to allow that reading to change us.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 3, 2020
I was grateful that my Christian institution required all its employees to read this book, and for the discussion with colleagues about the ideas Harris shares. Should be required reading for anyone who claims identity as a Christian, especially those who have grown up in white churches, immersed in a white understanding of the Bible and of God.
June 25, 2020
This book is so needed and timely. Dr. Harris speaks to a wide range of issues, theological and practical. His conclusions are grounded in real-life experience and knowledge of the communities he has served, and his theology is robust, informed by his own theological background and training. Jesus came to save all people, and so our contemporary theologies must speak into and be relevant to the lives and contexts of all people. Jesus was incarnational, and we as the church must be incarnational.
As the US seeks to heal centuries-old racial divisions and wounds, Dr. Harris’ book offers timely wisdom and guidance for how the church should move forward in redefining a faith that better encompasses all those whom Jesus came to save. This book speaks to the relevant needs of the black community and calls us back to the basics of the Gospel, that we as Christians are to love the poor and the oppressed because that is who Jesus identifies with, and that is where He can be found. Dr. Harris isn’t afraid to approach sensitive topics such as white or black Jesus and social justice. He reminds us of the legacy of the Civil Rights movement, which was grounded in the African American Church, and the prominent role the church used to play in the black community historically. He discusses barriers and issues that have caused young people to not find refuge in the church as previous generations had and also helps provide a clear path forward for how to better engage with this generation of African American youth.
This book is refreshing, harkening back to the true Gospel roots in the nation and gives hope for a diverse but genuine Biblical faith. Perhaps one of my favorite topics covered is that of social justice. Dr. Harris does not hesitate to state that social justice came out of the church and belongs to the church and need not be a “bad word” in charismatic and evangelical spaces! Dr. Harris gives true hope for answers to social problems arising from within the black community being met by the church, and his knowledge of history and connection to contemporary black communities make him an authoritative voice on this topic.
As the US seeks to heal centuries-old racial divisions and wounds, Dr. Harris’ book offers timely wisdom and guidance for how the church should move forward in redefining a faith that better encompasses all those whom Jesus came to save. This book speaks to the relevant needs of the black community and calls us back to the basics of the Gospel, that we as Christians are to love the poor and the oppressed because that is who Jesus identifies with, and that is where He can be found. Dr. Harris isn’t afraid to approach sensitive topics such as white or black Jesus and social justice. He reminds us of the legacy of the Civil Rights movement, which was grounded in the African American Church, and the prominent role the church used to play in the black community historically. He discusses barriers and issues that have caused young people to not find refuge in the church as previous generations had and also helps provide a clear path forward for how to better engage with this generation of African American youth.
This book is refreshing, harkening back to the true Gospel roots in the nation and gives hope for a diverse but genuine Biblical faith. Perhaps one of my favorite topics covered is that of social justice. Dr. Harris does not hesitate to state that social justice came out of the church and belongs to the church and need not be a “bad word” in charismatic and evangelical spaces! Dr. Harris gives true hope for answers to social problems arising from within the black community being met by the church, and his knowledge of history and connection to contemporary black communities make him an authoritative voice on this topic.
December 17, 2020
The Christian university where I work provided this book for ALL employees and asked us to join a book club to discuss the book via Zoom. The introduction was disappointing to me. It seemed a little soft, without much depth. Then I got into the 1st chapter. POW!!!
Antipas challenges the white man's version of Biblical history in such a way that unless you are a racist, you realize the truth and can begin to see "American" Christianity has been hijacked by white folks for centuries. But despite that fact, African-Americans, people of color everywhere, have been able to journey into their own faith, bypassing the horror of white supremacy that has infiltrated the American church.
This book is a must-read if you...
1. Profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
2. Attend a white Christian church
3. Consider yourself 'color blind'
4. Believe that all people are treated equally
I plan to read this again. Half of my copy is underlined.
For such a time as this, Dr. Harris has respectfully given us white folk a lesson or two.
Antipas challenges the white man's version of Biblical history in such a way that unless you are a racist, you realize the truth and can begin to see "American" Christianity has been hijacked by white folks for centuries. But despite that fact, African-Americans, people of color everywhere, have been able to journey into their own faith, bypassing the horror of white supremacy that has infiltrated the American church.
This book is a must-read if you...
1. Profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
2. Attend a white Christian church
3. Consider yourself 'color blind'
4. Believe that all people are treated equally
I plan to read this again. Half of my copy is underlined.
For such a time as this, Dr. Harris has respectfully given us white folk a lesson or two.
August 26, 2020
I was on the fence with rating and would give 4.5 if I could. It’s quite compelling and satisfying in addressing a very understandable question. I read it in two stretches months apart, and I remember feeling it was a little slow in the first half, but once I picked it back up in the last few chapters I was underlining more and going “oh, snap!” Definitely worth the read, especially cuz it’s only 150 pages.
July 10, 2020
This is a great read! It covers a lot of ground if not all. I can appreciate a well rounded, holistic approach to what could be a largely controversial topic. Dr Harris did an amazing job with this! Bravo!
August 2, 2020
Highly recommend! I learned a lot through this book, especially about what the church experience has been like for many African Americans.
July 3, 2020
Spoiler alert: the answer is no!
Among many young people of color, there is a growing wariness about organized religion and Christianity in particular. If Christianity is for everyone, why does the Bible seem to endorse slavery? Why do most popular images of Jesus feature a man with white skin and blue eyes? Is evangelical Christianity “good news” or a tool of white supremacy?
From the book description on Amazon
Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion: How the Bible is Good News for People of Color tackles these and other questions head-on. This is an important and useful book for understanding some of the underlying issues surrounding different communities and how the church could and should respond to them. Its focus is on the United States, but there is still much here that would benefit readers in other countries.
As far as I can tell, the book is not available in paperback yet and the hardback is out of stock on Amazon. The hardback is a medium sized book of 168 pages, including extensive notes and references.The style is popular, any regular reader would be able to tackle it without problem. The Kindle version will currently set you back £5.40. I obtained my copy direct from the publishers on a recent free offer.
The author, Antipas L. Harris is an African American theologian and activist. The issues he talks about in this book are not theoretical, they emerge out of his own experience and from the experience of his friends and colleagues. There are times that it is hard to believe that some of these things have happened.
The book consists of four broad sections.
The Church and Threatening Contemporary Ideas. In this section, Harris outlines some of the challenges facing the church in the United States. These included a rejection of Christianity by many in the millennial generation and the attraction of alternative spiritualities to people of colour, who find the church to be inhospitable.
Have We Been Taught to Misread the Bible? Here, Harris moves away from a focus on the current situation in the United States and starts to examine broader issues. To this Brit, it was at this point that the book really took off. Issues such as the Bible being used to justify slavery and apartheid are dealt with as is the question of why so many images of Biblical characters portray them as apparently having Scandinavian origins. The Bible is presented as being a much richer and ethnically diverse book than it is sometimes portrayed.
A Faith That Cares About People From Different Cultures. This takes the discussion from the previous section a step further. It clearly demonstrates that if we are to take the Bible seriously, then we must care about people from other cultures and that this care must extend beyond seeing them as targets for evangelism.
Where Do We Go From Here? The Streets Are Waiting. The final section is practical in orientation and builds on the earlier arguments in the book. It includes a short section on the author’s reasons from leaving academia to take up a role as a social-activist.
This is a good and helpful book. There are works that go into some of the issues more deeply, but the strength of this one is its breadth, rather than its depth. A lot of ground is covered in a short space and that is very helpful for anyone trying to get to grips with what is a complex subject.
Who should read it? I’d strongly suggest that anyone leading a church in the USA should have it on their “to read” list and, until something similar is published with a British focus, I think a lot of people on this side of the pond could benefit from it, too. I’d also suggest that it would form excellent background reading for anyone preparing for cross-cultural or diaspora mission in any context.
As usual, a series of quotes which struck me.
They are interested in spirituality, social justice, personal significance, and how to live a good life. Studies show that millennials are reading more than any other adult generation. But they are not reading the Bible! The church and the Bible are no longer where they look for answers.
Also, the gift of listening is crucial when discipling others. Listening will help the church develop better strategies to re-envision the faith altogether. Top-down approaches will strangle the future of faith. Listening draws in perspectives that are often overlooked and aids in the development of more compassionate ministries.
Afrocentric religious movements such as Black Muslims, black nationalists, Rastafarians, and Black Hebrew Israelites stand on urban street corners and unabashedly proclaim that Christianity is the white man’s religion! And, yes, young people are listening to them and joining their movements by the thousands.
Theologically speaking, it seems of little importance to know the color of the historical Jesus. Jesus loves the world and offered himself as Savior for everyone. Yet the question of historical identity is on many people’s minds. Deeper than the physical features, they are concerned that perhaps Jesus can’t really understand life in the ghettos and barrios. Everyone wants a Savior with whom they can relate. The musician needs to know that Jesus loves their music. The pilot needs to know that Jesus is in the airplane as it flies across the skies. The business executive needs to know that Jesus is in the boardroom to help close a deal. This is why the spirit of Christ is central to theological discourse. Jesus is present with us daily by the Holy Spirit.
To have a serious conversation about biblical interpretation, one must confront the problem of colonial readings of Scripture that have permeated Western Christian history since the sixteenth century.
We must not continue to trick ourselves into thinking that people’s experiences are not important when interpreting Scripture. Of course, we must be faithful to the text, but human experience is as a significant part of interpreting the Word of God in Scripture. Yet, almost without fail, Western European models of biblical interpretation assume the dominant voice heard in American liberal and conservative, Catholic and Evangelical churches.
Imagine a little dark-skinned baby born to an unmarried peasant girl named Mary. Impregnated under odd circumstances, Mary had already resisted any potential temptation to terminate her pregnancy. Then, shortly after the baby’s birth, his poor, dark-skinned mom and stepdad were warned to flee as refugees to Egypt because of Herod’s threat of infanticide.
In the West, spirituality is generally thought of as a private and internal affair. Many have been indoctrinated to believe the Christian faith is only for the salvation of our souls and, as a result, we only engage Jesus in light of what he did on the cross for our benefit. Most churches talk about Christ’s death and resurrection with his ministry relegated to the background. There is much more to Jesus’ life and ministry. Without a doubt, Christ’s death and resurrection are the central tenets of Christianity; however, if his death and resurrection are separated from his teaching and historical context, their meaning becomes distorted. Jesus’ ministry cannot be overlooked if we are to engage the fullness of his revelation in the Scriptures. His ministry provides deep insight into the way in which God has chosen to redeem and restore humanity.
However, many conservative evangelicals tend to lose sight of the seriousness of a society plagued by the sin of social injustice. Sadly, they say they preach against sin but do very little to challenge sinful systems that colonized forms of Christianity set in motion—systems that have perpetuated social injustice.
The church, as God intends, consists of people of all nations, cultures, and languages. It is not—nor does it belong to—any one nation, culture, and language. In the church, we have the opportunity to experience that completeness of color, a united front with anyone and everyone facing the throne of God. How can we face the throne of God when we have not learned that God is a God of diversity?
Given the upsurge of suspicion about faith, the Christian mission must not focus on growing churches. It must turn its gaze toward showing the world how Jesus came to love them, affirm their humanity, and offer them hope in despair.
Imagine that instead of instructing Peter to “feed my sheep,” Jesus had said, “Be sure you announce your doctrine and political affiliation.” The idea may seem laughable, but mainstream and evangelical churches in America may be doing just that—twisting the gospel into a confessional religion and a political platform.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “On this rock I will build my church.” The church is God’s idea, so any extensions must remain participants in Christ’s mission for the church. Too often people with great zeal for God build PCOs (para-church organisations) because they have a passion for a particular ministry and are frustrated that their local church is not attending to the need as effectively as they think they should. However, every believer is called to be part of the body of Christ. To ensure that new believers are properly involved in a local body of believers, parachurch ministries need a seamless connection with the local church. Otherwise, their efforts are relegated to humanitarian efforts, or worse, they share God’s love in the world but perpetuate the epidemic of unchurched people.
Among many young people of color, there is a growing wariness about organized religion and Christianity in particular. If Christianity is for everyone, why does the Bible seem to endorse slavery? Why do most popular images of Jesus feature a man with white skin and blue eyes? Is evangelical Christianity “good news” or a tool of white supremacy?
From the book description on Amazon
Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion: How the Bible is Good News for People of Color tackles these and other questions head-on. This is an important and useful book for understanding some of the underlying issues surrounding different communities and how the church could and should respond to them. Its focus is on the United States, but there is still much here that would benefit readers in other countries.
As far as I can tell, the book is not available in paperback yet and the hardback is out of stock on Amazon. The hardback is a medium sized book of 168 pages, including extensive notes and references.The style is popular, any regular reader would be able to tackle it without problem. The Kindle version will currently set you back £5.40. I obtained my copy direct from the publishers on a recent free offer.
The author, Antipas L. Harris is an African American theologian and activist. The issues he talks about in this book are not theoretical, they emerge out of his own experience and from the experience of his friends and colleagues. There are times that it is hard to believe that some of these things have happened.
The book consists of four broad sections.
The Church and Threatening Contemporary Ideas. In this section, Harris outlines some of the challenges facing the church in the United States. These included a rejection of Christianity by many in the millennial generation and the attraction of alternative spiritualities to people of colour, who find the church to be inhospitable.
Have We Been Taught to Misread the Bible? Here, Harris moves away from a focus on the current situation in the United States and starts to examine broader issues. To this Brit, it was at this point that the book really took off. Issues such as the Bible being used to justify slavery and apartheid are dealt with as is the question of why so many images of Biblical characters portray them as apparently having Scandinavian origins. The Bible is presented as being a much richer and ethnically diverse book than it is sometimes portrayed.
A Faith That Cares About People From Different Cultures. This takes the discussion from the previous section a step further. It clearly demonstrates that if we are to take the Bible seriously, then we must care about people from other cultures and that this care must extend beyond seeing them as targets for evangelism.
Where Do We Go From Here? The Streets Are Waiting. The final section is practical in orientation and builds on the earlier arguments in the book. It includes a short section on the author’s reasons from leaving academia to take up a role as a social-activist.
This is a good and helpful book. There are works that go into some of the issues more deeply, but the strength of this one is its breadth, rather than its depth. A lot of ground is covered in a short space and that is very helpful for anyone trying to get to grips with what is a complex subject.
Who should read it? I’d strongly suggest that anyone leading a church in the USA should have it on their “to read” list and, until something similar is published with a British focus, I think a lot of people on this side of the pond could benefit from it, too. I’d also suggest that it would form excellent background reading for anyone preparing for cross-cultural or diaspora mission in any context.
As usual, a series of quotes which struck me.
They are interested in spirituality, social justice, personal significance, and how to live a good life. Studies show that millennials are reading more than any other adult generation. But they are not reading the Bible! The church and the Bible are no longer where they look for answers.
Also, the gift of listening is crucial when discipling others. Listening will help the church develop better strategies to re-envision the faith altogether. Top-down approaches will strangle the future of faith. Listening draws in perspectives that are often overlooked and aids in the development of more compassionate ministries.
Afrocentric religious movements such as Black Muslims, black nationalists, Rastafarians, and Black Hebrew Israelites stand on urban street corners and unabashedly proclaim that Christianity is the white man’s religion! And, yes, young people are listening to them and joining their movements by the thousands.
Theologically speaking, it seems of little importance to know the color of the historical Jesus. Jesus loves the world and offered himself as Savior for everyone. Yet the question of historical identity is on many people’s minds. Deeper than the physical features, they are concerned that perhaps Jesus can’t really understand life in the ghettos and barrios. Everyone wants a Savior with whom they can relate. The musician needs to know that Jesus loves their music. The pilot needs to know that Jesus is in the airplane as it flies across the skies. The business executive needs to know that Jesus is in the boardroom to help close a deal. This is why the spirit of Christ is central to theological discourse. Jesus is present with us daily by the Holy Spirit.
To have a serious conversation about biblical interpretation, one must confront the problem of colonial readings of Scripture that have permeated Western Christian history since the sixteenth century.
We must not continue to trick ourselves into thinking that people’s experiences are not important when interpreting Scripture. Of course, we must be faithful to the text, but human experience is as a significant part of interpreting the Word of God in Scripture. Yet, almost without fail, Western European models of biblical interpretation assume the dominant voice heard in American liberal and conservative, Catholic and Evangelical churches.
Imagine a little dark-skinned baby born to an unmarried peasant girl named Mary. Impregnated under odd circumstances, Mary had already resisted any potential temptation to terminate her pregnancy. Then, shortly after the baby’s birth, his poor, dark-skinned mom and stepdad were warned to flee as refugees to Egypt because of Herod’s threat of infanticide.
In the West, spirituality is generally thought of as a private and internal affair. Many have been indoctrinated to believe the Christian faith is only for the salvation of our souls and, as a result, we only engage Jesus in light of what he did on the cross for our benefit. Most churches talk about Christ’s death and resurrection with his ministry relegated to the background. There is much more to Jesus’ life and ministry. Without a doubt, Christ’s death and resurrection are the central tenets of Christianity; however, if his death and resurrection are separated from his teaching and historical context, their meaning becomes distorted. Jesus’ ministry cannot be overlooked if we are to engage the fullness of his revelation in the Scriptures. His ministry provides deep insight into the way in which God has chosen to redeem and restore humanity.
However, many conservative evangelicals tend to lose sight of the seriousness of a society plagued by the sin of social injustice. Sadly, they say they preach against sin but do very little to challenge sinful systems that colonized forms of Christianity set in motion—systems that have perpetuated social injustice.
The church, as God intends, consists of people of all nations, cultures, and languages. It is not—nor does it belong to—any one nation, culture, and language. In the church, we have the opportunity to experience that completeness of color, a united front with anyone and everyone facing the throne of God. How can we face the throne of God when we have not learned that God is a God of diversity?
Given the upsurge of suspicion about faith, the Christian mission must not focus on growing churches. It must turn its gaze toward showing the world how Jesus came to love them, affirm their humanity, and offer them hope in despair.
Imagine that instead of instructing Peter to “feed my sheep,” Jesus had said, “Be sure you announce your doctrine and political affiliation.” The idea may seem laughable, but mainstream and evangelical churches in America may be doing just that—twisting the gospel into a confessional religion and a political platform.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “On this rock I will build my church.” The church is God’s idea, so any extensions must remain participants in Christ’s mission for the church. Too often people with great zeal for God build PCOs (para-church organisations) because they have a passion for a particular ministry and are frustrated that their local church is not attending to the need as effectively as they think they should. However, every believer is called to be part of the body of Christ. To ensure that new believers are properly involved in a local body of believers, parachurch ministries need a seamless connection with the local church. Otherwise, their efforts are relegated to humanitarian efforts, or worse, they share God’s love in the world but perpetuate the epidemic of unchurched people.
June 23, 2020
I saw the name of this book and immediately applied for an advanced copy. I also preordered the hardcopy after I started reading it. The title of this book challenges the reader to look deeper, behind the meaning of what the author called the “white man’s religion” It’s a question we as Christians all need to ponder, especially with what is happening in our country. The first question I asked myself was, What is the author’s definition of white man’s religion. And the second question was, How does it pertain to me as a Christian?
First, this book is not about bashing white man’s Christianity, it’s about challenging its religious concept, according to scripture. The author writes, “Much of Christian thinking has been shaped by poor biblical interpretation rather than historical, contextual readings of Scripture. The way history has contorted biblical characters to support European imperialistic agendas is a social construct. To reimagine the original diversity in Scripture and Christianity, we must first problematize this socially manufactured concept of race. It has far too long imposed itself upon biblical history and the origins of the faith.” He goes on to write, “As Americans regain the art of dialogue, black, white, brown, and all other Christians can work together to write a new narrative in ways that align more with the biblical faith than with colonialism. Colonial forms of Christianity have ideological links to Western colonization.”
Second, I found the book more about how we identify as Christians for the future. He writes, “Lives are at stake and the future of the world depends on how Christians unify to fight against injustice. We Christians must strengthen our public witness to respond to prevailing cynicism and outright rejection of the faith. While we are having church, sects and cults are missionizing the communities. Christians must not be oblivious to a generation that is being attracted to alternate faiths. Christians must renew their commitment to God’s agenda and abandon distorted images and claims on a racialized faith. Racialization runs interference with God’s global agenda of love. Social stratification of any kind is an insult of God’s creative genius.”
From beginning to end, I found this book to be informative on so many levels. Not just about historical past, Biblical scriptures, and racism, but our divine love in who we are as God’s people and His agenda. Well written. It’s a must read.
First, this book is not about bashing white man’s Christianity, it’s about challenging its religious concept, according to scripture. The author writes, “Much of Christian thinking has been shaped by poor biblical interpretation rather than historical, contextual readings of Scripture. The way history has contorted biblical characters to support European imperialistic agendas is a social construct. To reimagine the original diversity in Scripture and Christianity, we must first problematize this socially manufactured concept of race. It has far too long imposed itself upon biblical history and the origins of the faith.” He goes on to write, “As Americans regain the art of dialogue, black, white, brown, and all other Christians can work together to write a new narrative in ways that align more with the biblical faith than with colonialism. Colonial forms of Christianity have ideological links to Western colonization.”
Second, I found the book more about how we identify as Christians for the future. He writes, “Lives are at stake and the future of the world depends on how Christians unify to fight against injustice. We Christians must strengthen our public witness to respond to prevailing cynicism and outright rejection of the faith. While we are having church, sects and cults are missionizing the communities. Christians must not be oblivious to a generation that is being attracted to alternate faiths. Christians must renew their commitment to God’s agenda and abandon distorted images and claims on a racialized faith. Racialization runs interference with God’s global agenda of love. Social stratification of any kind is an insult of God’s creative genius.”
From beginning to end, I found this book to be informative on so many levels. Not just about historical past, Biblical scriptures, and racism, but our divine love in who we are as God’s people and His agenda. Well written. It’s a must read.
July 6, 2020
This book exceeded my expectations! I am often asked this question in various ways; and until reading this book I didn't know how to properly respond. Thank you Dr. Harris for giving me the words to continue the conversation.
November 15, 2020
If you are seeking an answer to the titular question, you should skip the first half of the book and jump in around chapter 6. Fortunately, I have already answered this question for myself. I was hoping this book would provide a deeper understanding, both theologically and historically, that I could use in conversation with the youth I teach.
THE GOOD
The author sparks a very real and important conversation. The topic of how racial identity and structural racism in the church are very necessary. Near the end of the book, the author does address false doctrines such as non-existent "the curse of Ham" and the white washing of Biblical characters.
THE BAD
If the audience of the book is supposed to be people searching for the answer to this question, I think the author missed the mark. Much of the first part of the book is spent telling us why someone would ask this question in the first place. The author brings up questions without answering them. He brushes over groups like the Black Hebrew Israelites and the Nation of Islam--whatever counter he has for people leaving the Church for these religions isn't discussed until almost a hundred pages later. The author often brings up a point only to lose it by jumping to another topic without tying them together. It was exhausting to read because I couldn't figure out what his point was or what his answer to the question was most of the time.
1 Star for effort + 1 Star for the information he did finally get to = 2 stars.
Gave up and stopped at page 100 (in chapter 7)
A more in depth review can be found on my blog at: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/06/bo...
THE GOOD
The author sparks a very real and important conversation. The topic of how racial identity and structural racism in the church are very necessary. Near the end of the book, the author does address false doctrines such as non-existent "the curse of Ham" and the white washing of Biblical characters.
THE BAD
If the audience of the book is supposed to be people searching for the answer to this question, I think the author missed the mark. Much of the first part of the book is spent telling us why someone would ask this question in the first place. The author brings up questions without answering them. He brushes over groups like the Black Hebrew Israelites and the Nation of Islam--whatever counter he has for people leaving the Church for these religions isn't discussed until almost a hundred pages later. The author often brings up a point only to lose it by jumping to another topic without tying them together. It was exhausting to read because I couldn't figure out what his point was or what his answer to the question was most of the time.
1 Star for effort + 1 Star for the information he did finally get to = 2 stars.
Gave up and stopped at page 100 (in chapter 7)
A more in depth review can be found on my blog at: http://www.psalmstogod.com/2020/06/bo...
June 17, 2020
When I first learned of this book I was interested in reading it and now that things are crazy in our world this book is needed. I loved how Anipas looked at the issue from his experience and perspective and a white guy like me could understand it.
I think anyone would read this book and take the message to heart. Teachers/ pastors need to read this book. We are guilty of not being true to the word of God and to the people in our communities. We have to do better. This book was a wake up call for me as a pastor teaching people about scripture, teaching people how to be like Jesus.
This is 150 pages of great stuff. If you don’t have a call to action or a need to repent after reading this book you have not done serious reflecting about yourself or the issues in this book.
I’m hoping that this book will open opportunities for churches to get off the sidelines and get in the game like never before! Buy a copy for yourself and then for your pastor, leadership, community leaders. We all need to hear this message.
July 9, 2020
Disclaimer - Antipas served as an Associate at my church in Norfolk, VA. I enjoyed his new book and wife is using it as a small group Bible study. Excellent.
August 20, 2020
Really interesting book, very encouraging too, I recommend to all people.
April 20, 2022
I grew up in a church built in the middle of Norristown, PA. The capital of the richest county of Pennsylvania is home to some of the poorest demographics.
Our church was "old establishment"- made up of older white families who lived in the nicer houses and condos when they were newly built in the 60s - failing to grasp the changes outside the stained glass windows. They hired a black youth leader once, but she didn't stay. (Neither did we.) There were whispers about every member of the church, looks at "those youths" outside our doors, and comments about the "different" way in which Black churches worshipped.
In high school, one of my best friend's dad died. They were members of a Black church on the north side of town and I went to the funeral out of support. It. Was. An. Experience. Such joy. Truly, a "going home celebration."
In college, students would embark on summer-long trips to inner cities to reach out to these demographics as if the churches they had established needed help offering spiritual substance to it's own people.
Working in the YW, tables were flipped. I was no longer a minority as a woman, but I was also no longer a majority as a white person. My black coworkers talked openly and freely about spirituality with no hemming and hawing. It wasn't "shoving religion down people's throats," it was a part of their community and life.
So, the title of this book intrigued me.
Harris dives briefly into the ways in which scripture has been used to oppress minorities, and I honestly wish there was more detail or citation on this part. He does a great job of showcasing how minorities have latched on to the promise of Christ to bring healing to the oppressed, and how that has shaped the so-called Social Justice movement. Finally, he offers a lot of real-life applications, both at the end of each chapter and in a final section to be used by ministry leaders looking to make changes to the way they interact with their local community.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking to better understand the church's place in the social context we find ourselves in these days.
Our church was "old establishment"- made up of older white families who lived in the nicer houses and condos when they were newly built in the 60s - failing to grasp the changes outside the stained glass windows. They hired a black youth leader once, but she didn't stay. (Neither did we.) There were whispers about every member of the church, looks at "those youths" outside our doors, and comments about the "different" way in which Black churches worshipped.
In high school, one of my best friend's dad died. They were members of a Black church on the north side of town and I went to the funeral out of support. It. Was. An. Experience. Such joy. Truly, a "going home celebration."
In college, students would embark on summer-long trips to inner cities to reach out to these demographics as if the churches they had established needed help offering spiritual substance to it's own people.
Working in the YW, tables were flipped. I was no longer a minority as a woman, but I was also no longer a majority as a white person. My black coworkers talked openly and freely about spirituality with no hemming and hawing. It wasn't "shoving religion down people's throats," it was a part of their community and life.
So, the title of this book intrigued me.
Harris dives briefly into the ways in which scripture has been used to oppress minorities, and I honestly wish there was more detail or citation on this part. He does a great job of showcasing how minorities have latched on to the promise of Christ to bring healing to the oppressed, and how that has shaped the so-called Social Justice movement. Finally, he offers a lot of real-life applications, both at the end of each chapter and in a final section to be used by ministry leaders looking to make changes to the way they interact with their local community.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking to better understand the church's place in the social context we find ourselves in these days.
July 16, 2023
Bought to better relate to black Christians and understand why Chritianity has been seen as "white" by other cultures. Instead, got an odd mixture of critical race theory and New Agism combined. The few good nuggets that can be gleamed from this work are not worth the pained stretches it goes through to present all arguments through the author's skewed "race is everything but we are all the same!" philosophy. Harris tries to tell us we must read the Bible through many interpretations then proceeds to wax superior with his own, many of which add details to fit the narrative. If the Bible does not say what it says clearly and indefinitely and is rather a matter of interpretation and context, then it would not be worth following.
Of all the things I was hoping to learn the main one I left with was this- someone once drew a picture of Jesus as a white man and now blacks don't know if he could have understood suffering. Black Christians are not as fickle and superficial as Harris likes to give them credit for.
Of all the things I was hoping to learn the main one I left with was this- someone once drew a picture of Jesus as a white man and now blacks don't know if he could have understood suffering. Black Christians are not as fickle and superficial as Harris likes to give them credit for.
August 6, 2020
This book was amazing!
It does an amazing job of laying out the historical events in Christianity that tainted the gospel & the church and made it to be something it was never meant to be. Acknowledging & calling out the church’s history while also redeeming its future.
This is incredibly relevant in this cultural moment where we are re-examining a lot of things, as we should be.
There is also a section that talks about how we have often been misreading the Bible. This was really eye opening for me & I think is something a lot of people need to read. Especially those of us that grew up in the church.
It does an amazing job of laying out the historical events in Christianity that tainted the gospel & the church and made it to be something it was never meant to be. Acknowledging & calling out the church’s history while also redeeming its future.
This is incredibly relevant in this cultural moment where we are re-examining a lot of things, as we should be.
There is also a section that talks about how we have often been misreading the Bible. This was really eye opening for me & I think is something a lot of people need to read. Especially those of us that grew up in the church.
February 10, 2022
For most of the chapters, I found him repetitive, where they seemed to drag on much longer than I thought they needed to. I was looking forward to the "Living it out" sections at the end of the chapters; however, they felt more like extensions of the chapters themselves than examples of how to take the chapter to the world. What made this book a 4-star is that it asks the question (and answers quite well, I might add) that non-white, deconstructing Christians have to wrestle with, whether they want to or not. Regardless your ethnicity, race, or background, this book has earned a spot on the bookshelf.
July 29, 2020
I deeply appreciate the well structured history lesson in regard to how the history of the Christian faith altered the core message of Jesus, influenced and in many case promoted racism, and has been often used for political ends through to this current political era. I also appreciate that this book is not only about racism, but about the responsibility of the church to live out the message of Jesus in practical, measurable ways, and how not doing so impacts everything. Each chapter is followed by some helpful suggestions and challenges. Well done!
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January 13, 2022some really interesting and valuable points made, but I wish the author had spent more time digging into the actual questions posed in the title. it takes a while to get to the meat of the book. still, it was good to hear from a different perspective.
May 21, 2022
While there is not much new here to me, I heartily agree with the work. I appreciate especially the specific section on different spiritualities that have become attractive to urban millennials. Much more work needs to be done here.
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November 26, 2022Recommend
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