Race, Love, & Justice

In Christ Jesus, we have the great privilege of extending the transforming presence of His Kingdom in our city and all over the world. Through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in and through us, we seek a new city transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only the Church has the power and presence of the living God to bear witness to His Kingdom of light over and above the kingdom of darkness.

This site is designed to help us extend the Kingdom of Christ against the evils of racism and all forms of injustice. The burden to engage in this missional work comes from the person and work of Jesus—His person, His work, His message, and His manner. His gospel is a radical gospel that reveals to us the love of God for sinners like us and calls us to love others as He has loved us. Because our hearts are prone towards all forms of evil, hate, injustice, selfishness, and apathy, and is far darker than we know, we recognize the continual need we have to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Roman 12:2). This grace is the sanctifying work of the Word and Spirit in our lives, leading us to lament, confess, repent, and walk in the forgiveness offered to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. This is the good news of the gospel we long to extend.

On this page, you will find a collection of resources that can help you grow in your understanding of the issues of race and justice and how the Church should respond. This is a collection of books, interviews, podcasts, and websites that are recommended by members and friends of our church. We all need to grow in our understanding of the issues and how we can engage. As you read, watch, and listen, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and show where and how you need to change and engage. You will likely not agree with everything you read and hear. But, in these resources, you will find helpful and challenging insights for building up His Kingdom. As you read, remember that all truth is God’s truth. Read with a spirit of humility and love, anchored in the Word of God.

Relationships

As we talk about the issues before us, we know that just having knowledge isn’t enough. We must know and live the Word of God. We need to move forward with acts of righteousness for the sake of Christ’s glory. To extend His Kingdom, we must pursue relationships with others who are also eager to bring about change. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you, love one another as I have loved you. All men will know you are my disciples if you love one another.” As a church, we want to build relationships with our brothers and sisters of color that are deep and full of the reality of our union in Christ. We long to pursue joint efforts of connecting to Christ, abiding in Christ, and extending Christ as we combat racism and injustice in all forms. With this desire in our hearts, in the coming weeks and months, we will offer resources including classes and relational opportunities for connection that will help us together seek the good of our city for the glory of Christ.

As His Church, we are His ambassadors. We have been given everything we need to be faithful to this calling—namely Him. He is leading us; He is with us; He will never forsake us. The mission before us is a long journey. Let’s start now by listening, learning, and loving as He has called us to love.

Resources

Books:
- The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best by Irwyn Ince (New)
- All Are Welcome by 10 authors including Irwyn Ince and Russ Whitfield
- Divided by Faith by Michael O. Emerson & Christian Smith
- Heal Us Emmanuel by 30 authors including Irwyn Ince and Russ Whitfield
- Free at Last by Carl F. Ellis Jr.
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Websites and Online Resources:
- A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory by Timothy Keller (NEW)
- The Sin of Racism by Timothy Keller (NEW)
- Interview: Irwyn Ince, Jr. on Diversity in the Church that Stems from the Gospel by Gospel in Life (NEW)
- The Bible and Race by Timothy Keller (NEW)
- Redeemer: Grace and Race
- The Gospel Coalition (TGC)
- Tony Evans Commentary
- Deep Light with Annie Roberson

Hear What the Lord Says
Sermon from Micah 6:8