September/October 2007 Volume 4, Issue 6 Editor's Note Let me ask my fellow white readers a question: do you practically in the church, however, is being not less think of yourself as "white"? If not, may I suggest that aware of different skin colors, but more! you are racially insensitive? In between these two contributions a number of Now a question for any African American readers: to brothers pour their hearts out. Let me encourage my what extent does "blackness" define the way you think fellow Whites to listen earnestly to the different voices of yourself? To whatever extent it does, may I suggest in the "Are Whites Missing It?" forum. Do we have ears that your thinking is impeding reconciliation? to hear? Some of the same questions about insensitivity and ignorance are raised in the excellent And a question for any Asian or Hispanic readers: to book reviews from Armstrong, Carter, Chang, Jones, what extent does race shape your identity? If it doesn't, Redmond, Sanchez, and Yong. is that because of acculturation, assimilation, or alienation? Also, Sam Lam observes the myth of "color blindness." John Piper asks a provocative question with I'm no Luke Skywalker, but in my thinking about provocative ramifications. And the D. A. Carson reprint ethnicity and race Thabiti Anyabwile is my Yoda. He's from his book Love in Hard Places offers a good primer pushed me in the directions conveyed by these three for the entire conversation. questions, which is why this issue of the 9Marks eJournal begins and ends with the sophisticated Here's one more question for everyone: do you think analysis of Master Anyabwile. The "Conversation the question of race is a big deal? It's worth observing Starts with Earth, Wind and Fire" in my email exchange that one of the Bible books we most associate with the with him. The conversation ends and turns in an gospel of justification by faith—Galatians—finds its exciting new direction in our saving-the-best-for-last launching point in Paul's opposition to a form of piece, Anyabwile's "Many Ethnicities, One Race." racism—Judiaizing. Some said you have to be Jewish to be saved. Wrong, Paul said. Racism or anything To summarize, Pastor Anyabwile argues that the close to it is anti-gospel. John Folmar, the pastor of a Christian call for "racial reconciliation" is, ironically, church with over fifty nationalities in one of the hardest self-defeating, because there is no such thing as neighborhoods on the planet, shows us how the gospel different "races." To continue even thinking as if there alone has the power to demolish the worst strongholds. are different races requiring reconciliation is to keep people from being fully reconciled. True reconciliation On behalf of 9Marks, let me say how deeply grateful begins when we recognize that we all belong to one we are to each of the brothers who have talked about race in Adam and, if we are Christians, to one new race in this issue of the 9Marks eJournal, each one of race—the people of God in Christ. What this means them doing so freely and lovingly. God be praised for the reconciliation we share and enjoy in Christ. --Jonathan Leeman 1 IS THERE A RACE PROBLEM? Starting the Conversation with Earth, Wind, and Fire Page 6 A casual email exchange between Thabiti Anyabwile and Jonathan Leeman on a few of the Black and White issues of life. A Pastors' and Theologians' Forum Page 12 We asked a roundtable of pastors and theologians whether there is a race problem in the American church and, if so, whether Whites are missing it? Answers from Rickey Armstrong, Anthony Carter, J. D. Greear, Sam Lam, Eric C. Redmond, Juan R. Sanchez Jr., Kevin L. Smith, Ed Stetzer, Justin Taylor, David Wells, & Jeremy Yong Nine Lessons I Learned From Yellow (And One More) Page 20 The author interacts with a secular Asian American professor and comes up with some good lessons for pastors. By Sam Lam Did Moses Marry a Black Woman? Page 23 A biblical view of interracial marriage and why it matters for the local church to take a stand. By John Piper REFLECTIONS ON THE PROBLEM Book Review: Page 25 On Being Black and Reformed by Anthony J. Carter Reviewed by Rickey Armstrong Book Review: Page 27 From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race by J. Daniel Hays Reviewed by Anthony J. Carter 2 Book Review: Page 29 The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African- American Pastors by Thabiti Anyabwile Reviewed by Ken Jones Book Review: Page 31 Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's Inside View of White Christianity by Edward Gilbreath Reviewed by Eric C. Redmond Book Review: Page 34 Being Latino in Christ: Finding Wholeness in Your Ethnic Identity by Orlando Crespo Reviewed by Juan R. Sanchez Jr. Book Review: Page 37 Growing Healthy Asian American Churches edited by Peter Cha, S. Steve Kang, and Helen Lee Reviewed by Jeremy Yong and Geoffrey Chang Five Steps for Racial Reconciliation on Sunday at 11 a.m. Page 43 Here's an extended consideration of the historical, moral, sociological, cultural, biblical and theological dimensions of why our churches don't display the reconciliation Christ has won. By D. A. Carson OVERCOMING THE PROBLEM Pastoring a Multi-Ethnic Church Page 52 A pastor in one of the world's most difficult neighborhoods reflects on challenges and opportunities of having a multi-ethnic church. By John Folmar Many Ethnicities, One Race Page 54 If the church wants to better embody the reconciliation Christ achieved on the cross, it must begin thinking about race in a whole new way. By Thabiti Anyabwile 3 AUDIO—LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS Above All Earthly Pow'rs with David Wells posted 8/1/2007 at www.9marks.org; click on “audio” Mark Dever asks David Wells about going against culture, contextualization, postmodernism, how to do theology as preachers, urban ministry, and more. You'll want to listen several times. Life and Ministry with Mark Dever posts 9/1/2007 at www.9marks.org; click on “audio” The tables turn as C.J. Mahaney puts Mark Dever in the hot seat and interviews him. 9MARKS EVENTS THIS FALL (for more information on conferences below, go to www.9marks.org and click on “events” tab) "Theology for All": Annual Day Conference London, England 9/22/2007 Mark Dever Building Healthy Churches at East London Tabernacle Baptist Church London, England 9/24/2007 Mark Dever and Mike Gilbart-Smith NANC Annual Conference Fort Worth, TX 10/1/2007 - 10/2/2007 Mark Dever Building Healthy Churches at The Northbrook Conference Cedar Rapids, IA 10/8/2007 - 10/9/2007 Matt Schmucker and Jonathan Leeman Ready for Reformation? at Reformation Truth Ministries 2007 Pastors' Conference Durham, NC 10/12/2007 - 10/13/2007 Matt Schmucker 4 Building Healthy Churches at Missouri Baptist Annual Pastor's Conference Osage Beach, MO 10/29/2007 Mark Dever, Matt Schmucker, and Jonathan Leeman Gospel Growth vs. Church Growth with Matthias Media Washington, DC 10/30/2007 - 11/1/2007 Mark Dever John Reed Miller Lectures Jackson, MS 11/6/2007 - 11/8/2007 Mark Dever Building Healthy Churches Jackson, MS 11/9/2007 - 11/10/2007 Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, Matt Schmucker, and Jonathan Leeman Donate Online! Contact Us 9Marks 525 A Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Toll Free: (888) 543-1030 Email: [email protected] 9marks.org Do you have friends who could benefit from this eJournal? Go to 9Marks.org encourage them to subscribe. 5 Starting the Conversation with Earth, Wind, and Fire An email exchange between Thabiti Anyabwile and Jonathan Leeman From: Jonathan Leeman Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 10:56 AM To: Thabiti Subject: RE: Book recommendations Hey, I bought Earth, Wind, and Fire’s greatest hits. Man, that’s good stuff! At least the music. I can’t always understand what they’re saying. Did you ever listen to them? From: Thabiti Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 11:16 AM To: Jonathan Leeman Subject: RE: Book recommendations Did I ever listen to them?! You kiddin’, right? ;-) Man, that’s one of the first and greatest bands of that generation. They played forever, and I’m surprised their "greatest hits" is one CD. If so, you got robbed! But in any case, that’s classic stuff. They set the standard for a long time. When I think of Saturday morning chores around the house, or "blue light parties" (let me know if I need to explain that for you ;-)), The Elements are the folks that come to mind. Enjoy that piece of African Americana. T- From: Jonathan Leeman Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 11:21 AM To: 'Thabiti' Subject: RE: Book recommendations I hate to ask: what’s a blue light party? From: Thabiti Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 11:58 AM To: 'Jonathan Leeman' Subject: RE: Book recommendations "I would not have you ignorant, brother." A blue light party is a house party where the regular light bulbs are exchanged with a blue light bulb that sets the mood by casting a blue hue over things. It basically gave enough light that you could see somewhat, but enough darkness that you had to guess what you were seeing or hide what you were doing. Add a string of beads hanging in the doorway, some afros, and those cheesy velvet paintings, and you’re in the 70s of my childhood, brother! T- From: Jonathan Leeman Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:35 PM To: 'Thabiti' Subject: RE: Book recommendations Wow.