Race Over Grace: The Racialist Religion of the Christian Identity Movement

by Charles H. Roberts

Race over Grace is a fascinating, critical look at a religion on the margins of modern American culture: the Christian Identity Movement. Embraced as truth by some in militia and far-right racialist groups, and by others not politically involved, Christian Identity is supported by advocates who promote such disturbing beliefs as the Jews being the literal offspring of Satan and that only Caucasians may go to heaven. In this book, Reformed scholar and pastor Dr. Charles H. Roberts examines the historical underpinnings of the movement and its better known exponents, past and present. He provides the reader with a uniquely Biblical, Reformed, evangelical analysis of the major doctrines of the movement.

Genres: Christianity

120 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Wesley and Fernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read. I first heard an interview with the author on The Narrow Mind some years back and found the topic fascinating. As one who spent the first ten years of my life in northern Idaho, I actually have known some people who were involved in the Christian Identity movement. As such, my interest was piqued, though it took some time to finally delve into the book.

I was not disappointed. The author has clearly taken the time to thoroughly research and understand what adherent to the CI movement believe and how they differ from area to area. Going back to original sources and quoting extensively from leaders, as well as giving a lengthy history lesson on how the movement developed over time, really helped to see what they believe in regards to other ethnicities and how this movement differs from the KKK.

For the conclusion alone, I would recommend this book. The author is not merely dismissing these CI members out of hand, but genuinely trying to understand why they believe what they believe and lovingly critiquing them with respect. You do not see that very often, and I feel that he was more than fair to the movement.

I think it is also a timely read as we are currently dealing with a lot of racial tensions and issues regarding groups such as the alt-right. You can see some of the similarities between the different CI sects and those who seek to keep up racial boundaries. I am not well-versed enough to comment on all of these modern issues quite yet, but much of what is said in this book can definitely help one be prepared to speak against racial boundaries, injustice, and how we need to listen and hear from each other.

[Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction treatise on the Christian Identity movement is a real eye-opener for those not attuned to the degree of religious radicalism present in the United States. I purchased this book as research for a novel I'm currently writing, and it will be a great help to me in making a believable formulation of one of the book's characters.

The author goes through a concept-by-concept exposé of what those who are involved in the Christian Identity movement believe, beginning with its roots in Europe and its move into the U.S. pantheon of religions and moving into a comparison and analysis of Christian Identity beliefs in contrast to other biblical and mainstream Christian tenets.

The writing is clear and well-organized, with a copious bibliography of materials used to support the author's analysis. A must-read for those wishing to understand more about this radical and racist religious movement.

[Nate Ranson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, I thought "who is this book for?"

After reading a few other things about this ideology, I decided to go back to this one. Gives a lot of context about this particular sect of "Christianity" and engages with it in good faith (pardon the pun) in the way that a shepherd tends to a wayward sheep. Stern, corrective, but in a way that doesn't denigrate people who, in my opinion, ought be denigrated.

An interesting read and I'm glad I came back to it.

[Jeff McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. For more than ten years, I have been involved pretty deeply in the southern heritage movement, and inevitably found myself runny across the term "Christian Identity." I only had a vague knowledge of what "they" believed, but knew it related to issues of race. I kind of jumped lumped them into what I knew about the beliefs of the Klan. I learned so much more than I ever realized about the history, theology, and key players in this movement, and the author easily kept my attention, was easy to follow and consume, and for a small writing of only 83 pages, was filled with in depth content. I am more than glad to have finally read such an informative work on a movement few seem to know about (which I guess is sort of a good thing, considering their beliefs). If you have ever heard of, met, or socialized with those in this movement, it would be a great benefit to you to read this little book.