The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism

Christian Nonfiction. Religion & Spirituality. Sociology. Nonfiction. HTML: A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller! An acclaimed, timely narrative of how people of faith have historically�??up to the present day�??worked against racial justice. And a call for urgent action by all Christians today in response. The Color of Compromise is both enlightening and compelling, telling a history we either ignore or just don't know. Equal parts painful and inspirational, it details how the American church has helped create and maintain racist ideas and practices. You will be guided in thinking through concrete solutions for improved race relations and a racially inclusive church. The Color of Compromise: Takes you on a historical, sociological, and religious journey: from America's early colonial days through slavery and the Civil War Covers the tragedy of Jim Crow laws, the victories of the Civil Rights era, and the strides of today's Black Lives Matter movement Reveals the cultural and institutional tables we have to flip in order to bring about meaningful integration Charts a path forward to replace established patterns and systems of complicity with bold, courageous, immediate action Is a perfect book for pastors and other faith leaders, students, non-students, book clubs, small group studies, history lovers, and all lifelong learners The Color of Compromise is not a call to shame or a platform to blame white evangelical Christians. It is a call from a place of love and desire to fight for a more racially unified church that no longer compromises what the Bible teaches about human dignity and equality. A call that challenges black and white Christians alike to standup now and begin implementing the concrete ways Tisby outlines, all for a more equitable and inclusive environment among God's people. Starting today… (more)

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LibraryThing member deusvitae

A rehearsal of American history focusing primarily on the willingness of professing Christians to compromise Biblical standards and allow for the perpetuation of horrific treatment of black people in the name of compromise to various forces and powers.

The author recognizes that many works have been

written on American history and the treatment of black people in slavery, under Jim Crow, and to the modern day. He will provide the basic outline of events and explains how it happened that black people were brought over as slaves to the US, how the slave system was justified, the Civil War and Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow in the South, the racism of the North, the move toward civil rights, and the rise of the Religious Right. At each moment, however, he pauses to consider how America could have taken different routes, and how Christians could have made conscientious stands in conviction based on Biblical principles, but instead elected to capitulate to economic concerns, accepting and perpetuating claims of racial supremacy, and generally proving unwilling to stand up against the culture of dehumanization, terrorism, and violence which black people have suffered for generations. He also does well at showing how racism remains in America in various ways, and the associations between the rise of the Religious Right and the attempt to uphold the last vestiges of segregation.

It's uncomfortable reading for white Christians to see so many aspects of their spiritual heritage discussed as ways in which the system of slavery and dehumanization of black people was justified, particularly the declaration that the church has its realm and thus nothing to say in terms of social issues of the day.

Highly recommended for all Christians to consider.

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LibraryThing member DrFuriosa

An excellent unpacking of American Christianity's history of and experiences with racism. A must-read.

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