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Glory Road: The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity
Ten African-American leaders in the church tell their stories of how they embraced Reformed theology and what effect it has had on their lives and ministries. The ten men who have contributed to this book are often asked, "How did you come to embrace Reformed theology?" With the recent surge in popularity of Reformed theology in the broader evangelical world and the growing interest among African-Americans, it shouldn't seem curious that more and more African-American churchmen are embracing Reformed theology. But the question remains, and Glory Road provides an answer, using personal accounts tracing their conversion to Christianity, their introduction to and embrace of Reformed theology, and this theology's effect on their lives and ministries. Ultimately, Glory Road is about the glory of God in providentially bringing men and women to the truths of salvation. In addition to the book's editor, Anthony J. Carter, Glory Road includes contributions from such notable pastors as Thabiti Anyabwile, Ken Jones, Michael Leach, and Eric Redmond.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2009
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317 people want to read
About the author
Anthony J. Carter
13 books12 followersAnthony J. Carter is lead pastor of East Point Church in East Point, Georgia, and a member of the council of the Gospel Coalition. A graduate of Atlanta Christian College and Reformed Theological Seminary, he is the author or editor of several books, including Glory Road: The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity. Anthony and his wife, Adriane, have five children.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 2, 2009
As a transplanted Southerner living in an excruciatingly white part of the Pacific Northwest, I was delighted to receive this book and read the stories of these faithful African-American men whom God has called to Himself, and given the gift of coming to a knowledge of Reformed Theology. Having been blessed by the preaching of several of these men, I was glad to be made aware of others like them.
Editor Carter quickly and rightly prioritizes Christianity over either lineage or particular confession, but the focus and unique contribution of this book is the intersection of the three attributes, an all too rare combination in today's church.
Most if not all of these men are preachers, and it quickly comes through in their writing: their own personal history with the gospel becomes a short and very welcome sermon presenting the gospel to the reader. Usually, a short summation of reformed particulars follows, and by the end a number of tulips lie strewn about.
The majority of these men began in nominal Christian homes, and came to robust faith later in life. While speaking charitably of their previous Christian traditions, the authors often build off of a specific problem caused by a deficiency in the theology they had grown up with. Assurance of salvation, synergistic salvation, works-righteousness, discouragement caused by the false hopes of the prosperity gospel are some of the problems addressed in these pages, problems assuaged by the riches of the Reformed expression of Christianity.
Essays I particularly enjoyed were those of Thabiti Anyabwile and Lance Lewis. Pastor Anyabwile's journey through Islam stuck out as one of the clearest demonstrations of the power of the gospel, moving him not simply from a weaker form of Christianity to a more developed one, but from a position of hating Christianity to one of loving the gospel of grace. Pastor Lewis' disarming honesty and the joy with which recounts his growth in understanding were delightful, and the same honesty applied to the struggle to “fit in” in a predominantly white church and denomination should prove very helpful to men in similar situations.
Weakening the book's usefulness, however, was the lack of pastoral wisdom and experience in dealing with the large differences in the manner of worship between the historically black and historically reformed churches. Luther and especially Calvin would describe the Reformation largely in terms of a reformation of worship, rather than laying the foundation for TULIP, although both were certainly present. The sacramental theology of the Reformers is neglected, resulting in a book that more accurately details journeys into preaching Reformed soteriology, rather than embracing the fullness of the Reformed heritage. Admittedly, Calvin would recognize little enough from much modern Reformed worship, but, as the authors themselves mention without developing, the worship of the black church would make even less sense to the Reformers. This is not to say that African-American worship should change to make Calvin happy, but simply that the authors of the present volume give no help either way in addressing this difficult and pressing issue.
Also, I was surprised to find much mention of the European reformers but scarcely a name-drop of the African bishop who gave them such inspiration. It seems to me that if Augustine was better known in the black community, many barriers could be broken down, and the charge that these men were accepting a “white man's theology” cut off at the knees.
But despite these minor points, Glory Road is a very encouraging collection of stories, small steps toward the day when men from every tribe and nation, people and tongue confess Jesus as Lord. May God call many more such men to serve Him in spreading the biblical truth expressed in the Reformed faith.
Editor Carter quickly and rightly prioritizes Christianity over either lineage or particular confession, but the focus and unique contribution of this book is the intersection of the three attributes, an all too rare combination in today's church.
Most if not all of these men are preachers, and it quickly comes through in their writing: their own personal history with the gospel becomes a short and very welcome sermon presenting the gospel to the reader. Usually, a short summation of reformed particulars follows, and by the end a number of tulips lie strewn about.
The majority of these men began in nominal Christian homes, and came to robust faith later in life. While speaking charitably of their previous Christian traditions, the authors often build off of a specific problem caused by a deficiency in the theology they had grown up with. Assurance of salvation, synergistic salvation, works-righteousness, discouragement caused by the false hopes of the prosperity gospel are some of the problems addressed in these pages, problems assuaged by the riches of the Reformed expression of Christianity.
Essays I particularly enjoyed were those of Thabiti Anyabwile and Lance Lewis. Pastor Anyabwile's journey through Islam stuck out as one of the clearest demonstrations of the power of the gospel, moving him not simply from a weaker form of Christianity to a more developed one, but from a position of hating Christianity to one of loving the gospel of grace. Pastor Lewis' disarming honesty and the joy with which recounts his growth in understanding were delightful, and the same honesty applied to the struggle to “fit in” in a predominantly white church and denomination should prove very helpful to men in similar situations.
Weakening the book's usefulness, however, was the lack of pastoral wisdom and experience in dealing with the large differences in the manner of worship between the historically black and historically reformed churches. Luther and especially Calvin would describe the Reformation largely in terms of a reformation of worship, rather than laying the foundation for TULIP, although both were certainly present. The sacramental theology of the Reformers is neglected, resulting in a book that more accurately details journeys into preaching Reformed soteriology, rather than embracing the fullness of the Reformed heritage. Admittedly, Calvin would recognize little enough from much modern Reformed worship, but, as the authors themselves mention without developing, the worship of the black church would make even less sense to the Reformers. This is not to say that African-American worship should change to make Calvin happy, but simply that the authors of the present volume give no help either way in addressing this difficult and pressing issue.
Also, I was surprised to find much mention of the European reformers but scarcely a name-drop of the African bishop who gave them such inspiration. It seems to me that if Augustine was better known in the black community, many barriers could be broken down, and the charge that these men were accepting a “white man's theology” cut off at the knees.
But despite these minor points, Glory Road is a very encouraging collection of stories, small steps toward the day when men from every tribe and nation, people and tongue confess Jesus as Lord. May God call many more such men to serve Him in spreading the biblical truth expressed in the Reformed faith.
February 18, 2022
Would’ve been more engaging had they cut the number of profiles down and been able to focus more on major details of a small number of men. The first three chapters over the totality of the book would’ve made for a more compelling read.
September 14, 2009
Wonderful account of many African-American pastors, who share their journey into reformed Christianity, and their delight in Christ and his Gospel. They continue to have a large heart for the African-American church, and the social issues blacks continue to deal with, but believe that Christ and His Gospel provide the answers, not government. Highly recommended!
March 24, 2015
My favorite thing about this book was seeing how these men's wrestling with theology was not merely an academic exercise, but an extension of their walk with Christ. Each essay was well-written and encouraging. I am proud that two of my children are from the African diaspora, and am glad that I get to teach to (and hopefully model for) them God's grace through Jesus.
June 25, 2016
So encouraged by the faith journey of these 10 men, all eventually into the Reformed faith. Thankful for God's kindness, grace and of course sovereignty over all things. If nothing else, this book reminded me of those things. And it definitely made me shed a tear or two, seeing how passionately these men love the Gospel of Jesus.
September 1, 2010
What happens when you get 10 ministers of Reformed persuasion to tell their stories of becoming Reformed? You get this book! As a young black Pentecostal who came to embrace Reformed theology I find a great affinity with the stories in this book, especially with Lance Lewis in chapter seven
May 16, 2012
A great book of God's work in these men's lives. Also helpful in thinking through pastoral issues and helping people grapple with a strong understanding of the Bible.
March 14, 2013
This book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone interested in Reformed Theology and how it interacts with the Black community. These testimonies are honest, well-written, and full of humor.
May 18, 2014
Very interesting little book. Worth reading to see the difficulties these men had in coming to this position, and the difficulty they continue to face in propagating it.
December 13, 2013
Outstanding brief biographical sketches of 10 African-American brothers and their journeys into Reformed Christianity. Wonderful stories of God's grace. Highly recommended!
April 12, 2014
This book just spoke so heavily to the need for sound doctrine in the African American church. Its not at all limited to just that context, but that is the major gap that these men addressed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews