Talking about Race: Gospel Hope for Hard Conversations

Review 'Is the gospel that unites us more powerful than race that divides us? Where do you start Christians in a conversation about the vast topic of race in America? In this brief book, Isaac Adams gives us a wonderful resource to begin the journey. Adams points us to listening, empathy and love--along with prayer--as the place to start. He's right. This book will lower defenses and encourage love. I pray that God gives this book a great ministry among us, displaying the division-overcoming power of the gospel.' -- Mark Dever, pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, and president of 9Marks.org 'This is one of the most insightful, wise-for-the-times books I have read. It is so deeply needed, and I will be recommending it widely. My only regret was that it didn't come out sooner. I almost wept thinking about the thousands of churches that could have used this book in the summer of 2020--the summer of George Floyd. But I rejoice thinking of how many people will read it now. There are millions of people who need to read this book.' -- Michael O. Emerson, professor of sociology, University of Illinois Chicago, coauthor, Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America 'Making progress in racial reconciliation is one of the most pressing needs of the church today, and we desperately need gospel-centered, culturally adept, clear-eyed, humility-rich, biblically wise, prayer-soaked, unflinching-yet-gracious guidance in it. Isaac's book asks some great questions and offers much needed insight into both the biblical and cultural dimensions of these questions. I have come to love and trust Isaac's counsel in many areas, and in this book he is at his best.' -- J. D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina 'Race and racism can seem like abstract topics. Everyone has an opinion. It's easy to share our opinions in the abstract. But how do we actually talk to each other about it, especially among fellow believers? That's what sets this book apart. As an African-American pastor in multiethnic settings, Isaac Adams knows how these conversations go well and where they go wrong. This is the book we need for relevant advice not only on how to think about an 'issue' but how to listen, learn, and love.' -- Michael Horton, professor of theology, Westminster Seminary California and host of the White Horse Inn 'It's easy to pretend that the American church doesn't have a problem with race; it's even easier, when you see the problem, to despair. What's hard is to look our sins right in the face and still bring a message of gospel hope. That's what Isaac Adams does in this sober and strong, wise and practical book. May we all have ears to hear.' -- Alan Jacobs, distinguished professor of humanities, Baylor University, and senior fellow, the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, University of Virginia 'With clarity and insight, courage and compassion, Isaac Adams has provided an elixir of a book for Christians who are weary and worn out by the effects of the poison that often accompanies conversations on race and justice. Using realistic stories and Scripture to both illuminate the mind and stir the heart, he reveals the importance of learning how to lament and listen so as to more effectively learn and love the 'other,' whoever that may be. His insights are realistic without being simplistic, pragmatic without being dogmatic. So, for anyone wishing to learn how to betternavigate the challenging conversations regarding racial reconciliation, this book is a must-read.' -- Julius J. Kim, PhD, president, The Gospel Coalition 'Books and articles on race typically make an argument or offer a perspective, which are good things to do. Yet this book feels different. Isaac writes as a pastor who, more than anything, loves his sheep--Black and White, Asian and Hispanic--and wants to do them good. He wants them to love and to know love. I've not read anything else like it on the topic.' -- Jonathan Lee