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Review Summary: Pastoral, Challenging, Honest and Encouraging |
Date: 2004-01-24 |
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Details: This book was a hard read. Not because it's language is difficult -- it isn't. In fact, Carter's style is clear and fluid. And not because the concepts are intricate -- they're not. The ideas are actually rather straightforward. And it wasn't that I disliked the content, because as uncomfortable as the truth might be, I still prefer it to complacency. This book was a hard read because it's painful to think about the way black Christians have been mistreated by white Christians throughout American history. And it was a harder read because it points out that mistreatment continues. It was hard because it made me weep for my brethren of all races, and because it made me hunger for reconciliation that I cannot reach quickly enough. In short, it was hard because it was real. And in this case, reality is hard. But it's not bitter. In fact, the book is anything but a tirade against the oppressor. It's pastoral. It's insightful. It's forgiving. It inspires compassion. And it's wise, written by a man that has personally jumped the chasm and tied his rope to both sides, and who now shows all of us how to do the same so that together we might build a bridge. Thanks, Pastor Carter, for loving the church enough to write this, for loving truth enough to be honest and accurate, and for loving Christ enough to do it with a shepherd's hand. |
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Review Summary: A Reforming Book |
Date: 2004-02-12 |
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Details: Informative, eye-opening and extremely thought-provoking. Mr Carter has done a superb job of writing well in a rather small book (I could have read another 500 pages by this author) and providing troubling history graced with hope. I was so profoundly impacted that I even acquired 3 of the books on his recommended-reading list and will probably get others. |
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Review Summary: To Glorify God and to Comfort the Saints |
Date: 2008-02-09 |
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Details: With one succinct sentence, Anthony Carter integrates historical Reformation theology and historical African American experience. "Our primary goal as theologians is to glorify God and to comfort the saints."
Some may wonder what's so novel about that declaration. A careful reading of most modern presentations of Reformed theology exposes the truth that God's glory is always emphasized (rightly so), while the saints' comfort is often minimized (sadly so).
Reformation theology has historically offered great treatises on anthropology (human creation and God's design), hamartiology (human sin and depravity), and on soteriology (Christ's salvation and human deliverance). Historically, what has been lacking is a biblical sufferology--a theology of suffering that brings comfort to human misery, that brings hope to the hurting.
Throughout "On Being Black and Reformed" Carter's subtext reverberates. Reformed theology has much to offer African American Christians. And, African American Christians have much to offer Reformed theology. When separated from Reformed theology, African American Christians, according to Carter, are tempted toward a lower view of God, truth, and theology. When separated from African American Christianity, Reformed theology, according to Carter, is tempted toward a lower view of comfort, love, and contextual experience. Reformed theology and African American Christianity need each other equally.
Nowhere is this juxtaposition more clearly revealed than in the Reformed African American theological interpretation of American enslavement. How could a good and sovereign God allow an entire people group to be enslaved for centuries? African American pastors like Lemuel Haynes, Richard Allen, and Absalom Jones, and writers like Phillis Wheatley, Olaudah Equiano, and Quobna Cugoano all offer the "Joseph Answer." "You meant evil against me, but God intended it for good." In God's affectionate sovereignty, He shepherds good from evil, He creates beauty from ashes.
Anthony Carter's retelling of this historical merging of African American Christian experience and Reformed theology is a gift to all people of all races.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."
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Review Summary: Challenging, but Not Above Your Understanding.... |
Date: 2005-11-18 |
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Details: This is another one of those books that should be required reading by every Pastor, especially if you have a small or zero African-American population in your congregation. Carter's main thesis in the book is that the African-American experience is best viewed and explained through the lense of reformed theology. In the book, he takes on such hard issues as:
* The Sovereignty of God and the slave trade
* The rejection of reformed theology by most African-Americans and the inroads of Arminian and liberal theology into our churches
* the common experience of African-American Christians and Reformed Christians
* culpability by both white and black Christians for the 'break in fellowship'
For adherents of Reformed theology, not too much new here that you don't already know (in the area of theology). But the charitable tone and the hard issues addressed by Bro. Carter make this book a must read - especially if you desire to truly have fellowship with your brethren from 'every tongue, tribe and nation'. For the average African-American, this book will introduce you to some new material and concepts not commonly thrown around from our pulpits. And prayerfully, it will serve to bring you closer to a more Biblical theological system. I have no question that this book will challenge all who read it. The author's writing is easy to understand and the book is relatively short. I can't give it anything less than 5 stars as a rating. |
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Review Summary: A New Perspective |
Date: 2008-05-18 |
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Details: Anthony Carter makes the case that reformed theology is the only theology that can sufficiently explain the African-American experience. Reformed theology has traditionally been viewed and explained through the eyes of white Europeans; Mr. Carter gives us a new perspective. And he understands the sovereignty of God like very few in the church today. This book exalts God and Christ, not man. It is sound, thought provoking, and edifying, and should be widely read. |
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out of 10 Reviews
