Black History Month
Initially I had written this up as a blurb for our weekly email but quickly realized it was lengthy enough to merit a whole blog post. See below a curated list of resources for the cultural observation of Black History Month:
1. 21 POEMS - Intervarsity Press posted THIS LIST of poems by black authors worth a perusal. (Additionally they’re offering deep discounts on many of their titles HERE)
2. BOOKS - Worth mentioning are:
a. Holier Than Thou - We have several copies of THIS BOOK by Jackie Hill Perry on our bookshelf this month.
b. Reading While Black - An ACCESSIBLE WORK by scholar, Esau McCauley, on the history of faithful black Bible interpretation.
c. One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love - THIS BOOK by John Perkins is powerful and highlights the power of the gospel to overcome hatred and division. His hope is contagious.
d. Divided by Faith - Not written by a black author, however, as MLK Jr. profoundly stated “Sunday morning is among the most segregated hours of the week.” A painful reality. THIS BOOK gets to the heart of the "why." Written by two sociologists, it informed me on issues that were sadly omitted from my public school education but are a reality for many of our black and brown brothers and sisters.
e. Lent - Also by Esau McCauley, the season of Lent kicks off in about a month with Ash Wednesday and THIS SHORT BOOK is a helpful companion for the 40 days leading up to Holy Week.
3. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - My friend Pastor CJ Quartlbaum (an occasional guest preacher at Engage) also compiled THIS LIST for those who really want to dive deep. He also appeared on an episode of the (now defunct) Engage Podcast which I hope to recover soon.
4. CHURCH HISTORY - As our country celebrates black history this month, those of us in the Church have to acknowledge that our faith history finds much of its roots in the continent of Africa. Especially the first five centuries which include these influential giants: Tertullian, Minucius Felix, Cyprian, Lactantius, Optatus of Milevi, and Augustine.
5. NORTHEAST CHURCH HISTORY - I wrote THIS ARTICLE about Lemuel Haynes eight years ago. A black pastor who served just over an hour away from us in Rutland, VT some 200 years ago.
6. LASTLY - I'm aware the topic of race relations can be a sticky one in our country. But it need not be and most certainly shouldn't be in the Church where we are called to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Our prayer is "In Albany as it is in heaven." Built into our very DNA is seeing the manifestation of Revelation 7:9 in our city: every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. (see THIS BOOK by Jamaal Williams, president of Harbor Network, for the theological implications here). What opportunity and challenge we have to seek and pray toward this reality in our midst!
