Practical Justice

Practical Justice.  Living Off-Center in a Self-Centered World.

By Kevin Blue

Why this book matters:   Kevin Blue has written a very approachable book on the topic of justice, within his overall concern that we understand that the world is rapidly urbanizing and poverty itself is becoming more urban within global trend.  He makes clear, basic connections between faith in Christ and the need to think and act justly. 

Blue helps us to develop a basic language out of which we can begin to seriously discuss justice issues in the (white evangelical) church.

Overview: 

Initially the author sets the stage for the importance of thinking about justice by considering the overall movement of the kingdom of God (evangelism, healing, power and dealing with evil and injustice).   Next he encourages us to see that Christ calls us to recognize and respond to injustice around us – but to do so cautiously.  Caution is due in part so that our ministry is genuine and effective and so that we are prepared to count the cost.

Following these introductory chapters Blue follows an outline of Justice thinking and response following the proverb (long known and modified by John Perkins)

1.     Give a man a fish (immediate need)

2.     Teach a man a fish (redistribute skill)

3.     Fix the pond [create access] (deal with the system[s])

Blue then moves on to issues central to the discussion about justice such as race, class and lifestyles of justice.   

Chapter worth the price of the book:    Fixing the Pond.  If for no other reason than this chapter helps believers to see things they are often blind to and what might begin to be done about them. 

Quote:

 "We fall short of honoring the Lord’s desire if we only throw some money , food and shelter to the homeless and do not address the causes of hunger and homelessness.  Especially if they are structural in nature and not simply the results of drought and famine or personal sin.  Scripture calls believers to be directly involved in these issues and we should pray against unjust systems as well."  p 72

If you liked this book you may want to consider:

Divided by Faith. By Michael Emerson and Christian Smith.  (a good book to read to give added context to understanding sin within structures.)

Thiers is the Kingdom. By Robert Lupton

Deep Justice in a Broken World. By Chap Clark and Kara Powell 

Theirs is the Kingdom

Theirs is the Kingdom.  Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America.

By Robert D. Lupton

Why this book matters: 

Bob Lupton, perhaps better than anyone else, helps us to see how we have blinders on when it comes to seeing God at work in the inner-city.  He unpacks our prejudice and our unwitting ineffectiveness not by being preachy but by sharing his own stories from his friends and neighbors.  He helps to change our perspective of the poor from being “objects of our ministry” into being fellow-subjects of the kingdom. 

Overview: 

Written in a series of vignettes, the chapters in this book range from less than a page to 2 or 3 at most.  Since the topics range around issues of materialism, prejudice, poverty, race and the like. .  the book is more of a devotional than a clearly outlined pattern that leads from A to Z.  What about family violence?  When is giving Christmas gifts to kids in the city done poorly?  Who are the “truly worthy poor”? What is efficiency and what is welfare?   These and many similar topics are wrestled with in a very accessible manner.

Chapter worth the price of the book:  

Foxes Have Holes.  In which the author demonstrates that we take for granted our warm showers, comfortable beds, our cars and our indignity toward others.

Quote:

The world is urbanizing.  The city is our opportunity to see firsthand how God is doing his creative work in our day.  It is both fearful and wonderful, and invitation to death and incomparable life.  And it is ours to discover (from the afterward).

If you liked this book you may want to consider:

And You Call Yourself A Christian: Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life.  by Dr.  Robert Lupton.

Restoring at Risk Communities.  Doing it Together and Doing it Right.   John Perkins, editor.

Real Hope in Chicago.  By Wayne Gordon. 

Divided By Faith

Divided By Faith. Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Faith in America.

By Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith.

Why this book matters:  Divided by faith is the most important book written to date on the subject of racial divide in the evangelical/conservative church in America.  The authors use reliable survey data and careful sociological analysis to examine what the church says it believes about race and delineates how that often does not line up with actual practice. 

By developing terms carefully, such as “racialization” over “racism”, the authors create a dialogue that maintains its audience while delivering painful truths.  Using the white community’s own words the authors demonstrate ways in which the church has simultaneously embraced “racial-reconciliation” and moved further down the racial divide.    

Overview:  The authors initially describe their thesis that “evangelicals desire to end racial division and inequality and attempt to think and act accordingly.  But, in the process, they likely do more to perpetuate the racial divide than they do to tear it down” (from the preface).

Initially the authors describe the ways in which the country is “Racialized”.  That is the country is separated economically, residentially, and socially (marriage, entertainment, etc..).  They then trace this historically showing that the origins of the black church are from within the white church -- first being treated unfairly, then being tossed out of the white church.  Chapter 3 traces the important leadership of black evangelicals that brings rise to the modern evangelical involvement with racial reconciliation (John Perkins, Tom Skinner, Samuel Hines).  The authors show how the message of these leaders is co-opted by white evangelical leaders and (unintentionally or otherwise) neutered in such a way as to foment black distrust. 

The authors then explore white notions of the “race problem” through interviews and survey data.  Using a sociological approach the authors delineate a set of “Tools” that white Christians use to understand the problems of race in America.  White Christians have a colorblindness-as-virtue approach to race and society and operate under a free-will individualist notion of self.  All of this puts them at odds with how black American understands race and society (among other things).

The chapter on understanding how one controls one’s own (economic) destiny puts conservative white Christians directly at odds with conservative black Christians.    The survey and interviews here explore these various Christian notions of what happens to people in the US economically and why. 

Next the authors explore solutions to the race problem offered by evangelicals.  Issues discussed include integration of congregations and communities, relationship building and working against structural racism. The authors also consider how white racial isolation impacts this thought-framework.

Finally the authors suggest that structural organization of church and society has direct implications for understanding and addressing the situaion with racialization in America and ask good questions the white evangelical church’s role in this. 

Chapter worth the price of the book:  

I think every chapter in this book is worth the price of the book.   For those new to the subject, the short chapter at the beginning of the book that illustrates the stratification of the world we live in will be key.  For those who see the difference and “have a black friend” the difference in perspective demonstrated by the authors in Color Blind will begin to see a weakness in this perspective and likely be shocked by the following two chapters that show how the more conservative we are as Christians, the further apart we are in viewing race in America.  For those passionate about the subject the historical connections as well as the recent neutering of the African American message of reconciliation should give us great pause. 

Quote: 

"More surprising to us was that when white evangelicals were asked to provide concrete examples (of racism) a substantial number could not. . . .conversely, our nonwhite respondents had not trouble producing specific examples of racism, nor did the relatively racially non-isolated whites, usually both tat the individual and institutional levels.  As many race scholars note, not having to know the details or extent of racialization is an advantage afforded to most white Americans."   (p 88).

If you liked this book you may want to consider:

United by Faith. The Multi-racial congregation as an Answer to the Problem of Race.  By Curtis Paul Deyoung, Michael O. Emerson, George Yancey and Karen Chai Kim.

Reconciliation Blues.  A Black Evangelical's View of White Christianity.  By Edward Gilbreath. 

Whitewashing Race.  The Myth of a colorblind society.  Michael Brown, Martin Carnoy et. al. 

Grace Matters

Grace Matters.  A True Story of Race, Friendship and Faith in the Heart of the South.

By Chris P. Rice

Why this book matters:  It is rare to find someone willing to tell their own story of struggling to overcome the complexities of racism in real time (events just passed) and open honesty.    This compelling portrayal of blacks and whites living together and working to overcome the American racial divide shows that glossy-eyed idealism won’t cut it, that there will be pain involved and a million reasons and chances to quit.  But the journey can be taken, in God’s grace, and its worth it. 

Overview:  Several families and individuals move in and do life together by building community, working in ministry, sharing pains and trials, while living literally under the same roof.  As the work both grows and struggles, “success” is seen and then seemingly lost, and all the while the author is so painfully honest about his own sin and internal struggles of jealousy that you can’t help but think:  “This thing is over!!” in many places as they journey on. 

Chris Rice and Spencer Perkins are the central characters and it is the forging and testing of their relationship that creates the basic narrative of the book.  As Voice of Calvary ministries, CCDA, The Urban Family magazine and other things are started in the wake of John Perkins, Chris and Spencer find their places of voice and leadership  along the way.  Their personal relationship is central to understanding racial reconciliation at a level that cuts well below the surface. 

The agony of Spencer’s untimely passing near the end of the story is heartbreaking.  The reality of the long, hard, yet grace-filled road of racial reconciliation is told not so much in theory as in blood, sweat and tears. 

Chapter worth the price of the book:  One after the next.  Each chapter is built on the one before in this narrative and therefore, if you read the first chapter the next will simply add drama, value, insight and grace to your understanding of Chris, Spencer, human nature amidst the struggle of racial reconciliation.   

Quote:  A mentor that often gave sage advice said the following well into the process of struggling to live together and love one another:

“Giving each other grace is looking at people through God’s eyes.  It's internalizing God's love so much that we can get into the bones of others that God loves them – by serving, valuing and caring for them.  The Bible doesn’t talk about Jesus warm feelings for his disciples.  It's mostly about how he served them – a bunch of failures, doubters, and traitors.  God wants us to use our lives to help each other understand who God is.”  P 257. 

If you liked this book you may want to consider:

More Than Equals: Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel.  Chris Rice and Spencer Perkins 

To Live in Peace

To Live in Peace.  Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. 

By Mark R. Gornik

Why this book matters:  Rev. Gornik takes the Jeremiah 29:7 message into application in the inner-city.   Finding hope for our urban centers in the gospel and in discipleship, he roots the discussion in serious theological and sociological observation and reflection.  Far from an ivory tower discussion, Gornik gives us very specific examples of practical impact from his own life and experience in inner-city Baltimore.

Overview:  In his introduction Gornik brings to the table the key issues to be dealt with in the book:  The city, the gospel and discipleship.  The author then moves on to summarize the present reality of the country’s most excluded neighborhoods and how they became what they are now.  He looks at them for their socio-economic status as well as through a spiritual lens.

In the next section the presence, impact and beauty of the church “of the streets” is explored, as well as the things that lead to peace (and what that means in the deepest sense of shalom).  The application of these things through community development is explored the lens and theological praxis of Nehemiah.   

The final section of the book retraces the work of New Song Community Church in Baltimore as well as a vision for the future of God at work in the urban centers of America.

Chapter worth the price of the book: A Church of the Streets. This chapter will redfine for the average reader the blessing and essence of the local body and make relevant the idea that the nature of the church is key to bring life and hope to the city.  It will challenge you notion of things like eating together, hospitality, and the “now” elements of the Kingdom of God.

Quote:  “A[n innercity] community church, therefore, will not “have a ministry” so much as it will be a community of people who read scripture together, who share in the hope of the gospel, and who share every joy, tragedy and resource in Christ (Acts 2:42)”  p 87.

If you liked this book you may want to consider:

Until Justice and Peace Embrace, Nicholas Wolterstorff.

Exclusion and Embrace, Miroslav Volf

The Beloved Community, Charles Marsh. 

Until Justice and Peace Embrace chpt 1

Nicholas Wolterstorff initially presented this book as a series of lectures for the Kuyper series at . . .

World Formative Christianity.

Chapter 1. The purpose of the book is to explore Calvinism in its systematic assertions rather than its inconsistent or overreaching applications. The system was not always thought out and put in practice appropriately.

Key points: C was a movement way from midieval christianity's "otheworldly" outlook.

avertive vs. formative religions. Medieval Christianity/ avertive religion. Lutheranism and Calvinism were formative religions.

Luther took the formation (or reformation) of the soul and the church. Things were not as they should be and must be reformed through contemplation and sanctification.

Calvin and the reformers took to reforming the world. The systems of the world are offensive to God and do not represent his justice and truth and therefore must be reformed. Christians engage in this reformation out of gratitude and through vocation. Ones place as Lord, Serf, slave or free is not to be taken as granted but rather ones gifts and abilities were to be expressed through ones vocation and reformation of the systems of the world.

Black on the Block, Mary Pattillo

Subtitle: The Politics of Race and Class in the City.

"This book is not a study in the causes and consequences of gentrification" p20. "This book is about gentrification and public housing and mixed income communities, but as contexts within which African American residents negotiate each other, the outside players, and various layers of public (government and civic) decisions that frame what is preferable and what is possible" p21

The author says that her intent as to "highlight the class and lifestyle fractures within black identity, while affirming blackness as a collective experience and endeavor." (p297)

This book is written by a scholar who is (was) a middle class African American taking part in the gentrification of my community (North Kenwood/Bronzeville) and simultaneously studying it.

She begins by retelling the history of the building she lived in -- 4432 South Berkley. She describes how and when and by whom the home was built, owned and occupied. Through the lens of this one home she retells the story of the community as it is built, becomes part of Chicago proper, goes through race riots (1919ff) [p31 has the cook county coroners report on a black man beaten to death by a white mob at 46th and Cottage Grove - visible from my rear deck]. These riots were part of the result of Chicago's black community doubling in size between 1910 and 1920, causing the black community which was restricted by "housing covenants" to spill over its historic "lines".

Between 1940 and 1960 the community went from 21% black to 99% black (p37). The story of "race mixing" at a local hotel (Ritz) is told (p40ff). The change in racial identity is viewed/described as "invasion". 1943 neighborhood association goes on the offensive to keep blacks out (p43 has agenda list).

1948-1965 as the Black golden era. Muddy Waters as resident. "Thelonious Monk, Max Roach, and Miles Davis (and his sidemen John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley) all played the Sutherland Lounge. It is one of the few remaining venues of this heralded jazz age in black Chicago" p54. Description of addition of public housing to community, severely overcrowded public school, arrival of 30,000 blacks to Chicago annually between 1950 and 55. p61.

1965-88, the Low End. Term used to describe lowest income areas especially to the north of Oakland/Kenwood. From 67-87 Chicago lost 60% of its manufacturing sector (520,000 jobs!). Stores that had lined 43rd and 47th street disappear as poverty and unemployment skyrocket.

1988 to present. Black on the Block. Increasing presence of middle class African American's.

Chapter 2. The Black Bourgeoisie Meets the Truly Disadvantaged. description of interactions personal and community wide of a returning middle class and older, mostly lower income less educated long term residents. Poor residents like the lower crime and visible improvements in the community but worry about displacement. Newer residents have a sense of racial solidarity and more patience with low income neighbors but have conflict of what defines "respectable" and "responsible".

Chapter 3. White Power, Black Brokers. "This chapters is about that man or woman in the middle. The person in the middle, if she's good, speaks at least two languages in order to translate, has two sets of credentials for legitimacyand juggles a double booked calendar to keep all relationships cordial, memberships current, constituencies appeased." p 113.

Middlemen align themselves alternatively with the upper portions of society (perhaps by facilitating a grant from a foundation to perform work in the community) or with the "littleman" when "confronting the man". (aka governing bodies, corporations or developers, etc..) p118ff.

"When the middleman is downwardly aligned he must first establish genuine respect for the experiences and preferences of the littleman, fighting the urge and pressure to act as if he knows what's best for struggling community residents. . . " p119 The middleman role requires balance, compromise, negotiation and cunning. p 120 If she loses her ties with those with resources she can no longer deliver for the littleman. But total alignment with the man means losing credibility in the community. p 120

Chapter 4 - Remedies to Educational Malpractice. Story told of local schools (including King High where my son attends) . The school was shut down and limited new enrollment to those with high test scores. A bonus for the community in terms of having a good school in the area but exclusionary as it eliminated the possibility for the vast majority of youth in the community to attend. Huge financial resources were poured into the school --- very disproportionate investment in a relatively few students.

Also tells story of UC and Duncan family involvement in creating 2 new schools in the community -- North Kenwood Oakland Academy (NKO) -- a UC charter school and Shakespeare Elementary.

Chapter 5. The case against public housing

Chapter 6 The case for public housing.

Chapter 7 Avenging violence with violence.

Crime and violence are redefined around class identity. In the process of the community moving from concentrating on major crimes to loitering, barbecuing in the park or on front steps, and other lifestyle issues, many residents once part of policing became the targets of policing.