We pray that in your common grace there would be sociological studies in our times that lead Christian leaders to make wise decisions that contribute to racial harmony. Because of that, proponents of this model do not have a good track record of persuading whites who “do not already feel a significant level of racial guilt.” (69)įather, please raise up more men and women who can bless the church by seeing the many complexities of our current social moment. And yet this model discounts the responsibility of racial minorities. ![]() Proponents of this model will not let us forget the awful effects of sin. This model rightly sees power dynamics as having real relevance in the relationships around us. Unfortunately, it understates or ignores how past sin can have present consequences. It also helps us avoid looking for racism where it doesn’t exist. For instance, colorblindness rightly helps us celebrate the advances our society has made in God’s common grace. With each, Yancey is able to see what is right in each approach before offering critiques. Yancey’s careful work of describing, for instance, the four leading secular models of racism while altogether avoiding polarizing rhetorical frameworks was enlightening. Throughout the book, Yancey excels in making distinctions, a skill too few embody in the current conversation. Because Yancey is trained at dealing with data, the book’s tone and rhetoric is exceptionally balanced. But if we acknowledge that caveat up front, there is much we can learn from Yancey.Īmong many reflections I had in reading Beyond Racial Gridlock and discussing it with others, here are 3 with prayer requests.īeyond Racial Gridlock is an adaptation aimed at Christian audiences of the more scholarly Transcending Racial Barriers (Oxford: OUP, 2011), which Yancey authored alongside sociologist Michael Emerson. Mutual responsibility should not be taken to imply equal responsibility or suggest that victims of racism are responsible for the sins of racists. Mutual responsibility appropriates the strengths of the contemporary secular models of racial recognition (which Yancey identifies as Colorblindness, Anglo-Conformity, Multiculturalism, and White Responsibility) and yet bears a distinctively Christian flavor by actively incorporating the Biblical doctrine of depravity and the reconciling life and death of Jesus in its prescription. While mutual responsibility does not answer every question, it provides a foundation for Christians to reason together. Yancey, a black Christian sociologist now at Baylor University, claims that there is a uniquely Christian solution to racial strife: mutual responsibility. ![]() In the introduction, Yancey asks “What does our Christian faith offer to help solve problems? Is there a unique Christian solution, different from any of our societies secular alternatives?” (8) Though the book was written in 2006, these are still very timely questions. That fact alone is one reason why George Yancey’s Beyond Racial Gridlock (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006) was appealing to me. So I guess I’ll join the multitudes: crafting a persuasive AND effective approach to overcoming racial strife in the church is like attempting to dislodge a giant tug boat stuck in the Suez Canal. It’s a perfect metaphor for what many situations feel like in a fallen world. Of course, a gigantic ship stuck in the middle of the Suez Canal has almost unlimited meme potential in today’s cultural moment. A 1300ft container ship, the Ever Given, ran aground in the Canal, completely blocking the canal and creating a traffic jam like no other. Yancey's vision offers hope that people of all races can walk together on a shared path-not as adversaries, but as partners.When I wrote this, there was a crisis in the Suez Canal. Part two offers a new "mutual responsibility" model, which acknowledges that both majority and minority cultures have their own challenges, tendencies, and sins to repent of, and that people of different races approach racial reconciliation and justice in differing but complementary ways. The first part of the book analyzes four secular models regarding race used by Christians (colorblindness, Anglo-conformity, multiculturalism and white responsibility) and shows how each has its own advantages and limitations. Sociologist George Yancey surveys a range of approaches to racial healing that Christians have used and offers a new model for moving forward. Adding to this complex situation is the reality that Christians of different races see the issues differently. ![]() Many proposed solutions have been helpful, but these only take us so far. Christians have struggled with racial issues for centuries, and often inadvertently contribute to the problem.
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