A Burning House: Redeeming American Evangelicalism by Examining Its History, Mission, and Message
Despite the civil rights progress he fought for and saw on the horizon in the 1950s and '60s, Martin Luther King Jr.--increasingly concerned by America's moral vision, admitted--"I've come to believe that we are integrating into a burning house."
In A Burning House, Brandon Washington contends that American Evangelicalism is a house ablaze: burning in the destructive fires of discrimination and injustice. The stain of segregation remains prevalent, not only in our national institutions, but also in our churches, and this has long tarnished the witness of Christianity and hampered our progress toward a Christ-like vision of Shalom--peace, justice, and wholeness--in the world. Common doctrine may unite black and white evangelicals, but rifts such as social ethics and cultural influences still separate us.
Throughout this challenging but reconciliatory book, Washington gives a historical and theological appraisal of American evangelicalism to understand how we came to be where we are and what our response should be. Instead of calling the movement to become something new, he challenges it to live into what it has always been in Christ and strive for deliberate and sacrificial integration--the unity of believers of all ethnicities.
A Burning House is a rallying call to a waning movement whose most public leaders have often turned a blind eye to, or even justified, the sin of racism--a movement whose theology is sometimes compromised by a secular anthropology. This is a call to both white and black evangelicals to better understand our past so that we can better embrace the unifying and comprehensive message of the gospel we preach.
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Brandon Washington is the pastor of preaching and vision at The Embassy Church in Denver. He holds a master's degree from Denver Seminary, where he studied Systematic Theology and Apologetics & Ethics. He lives with his wife, Cheri, and their two children in Colorado.
'Brandon Washington has emerged as a much-needed prophetic voice for such a time as this. When many 'exvangelicals' are publicly disavowing American evangelicalism and leaving the church, he affirms his commitment to evangelicalism as he not only diagnoses what has gone wrong but offers a cogent way forward. He passionately calls us to restore American evangelicalism by a return to our roots by bringing the gospel to bear on sins such as injustice, racism, classism, and sexism. He deals with historical, cultural and theological complexity in a way that is engaging and accessible.'-- Cynthia Long Westfall, PhD Associate Professor, McMaster Divinity College
'A Burning House?falls in a category of its own when it comes to today's Christian literature. By joining biblical faith with sound reasoning, Pastor Brandon Washington tackles a number of sensitive topics such as race, history, culture and the church.? His presentation incorporates personal accounts with hard data to offer thought provoking arguments pertaining to American Evangelicalism.? This book is real, relevant, and right on time for believers who desire to see His kingdom come and His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'-- Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr. Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Glenarden
'Virtuous deconstruction?is what Washington calls this expose of racism in the history of the United States and the American church. This book is truly virtuous: it is honest while gracious, courageous and informed. It is a timely call by an evangelical African American pastor-theologian to a compromised evangelicalism to rediscover its authenticity and commit itself to an authentic gospel and kingdom ethic. Direct, passionate, and constructive...a necessary word!'-- M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), PhD Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy, Wheaton College and Graduate School
'It is impossible to convey the content of the gospel without attaching cultural fingerprints. Such is the case with what my friend, Brandon Washington repeatedly references as 'American Evangelicalism'. Because of this we are in need of a 'virtuous deconstruction, ' where the content of the gospel has been emancipated from its cultural captivity.?A Burning House, is a timely, prophetic forensic into this much needed process.'-- Dr. Bryan Loritts Author, Insider/Outsider
''Friendly fire' is a strange expression: how can accidental killing ever be 'friendly' no matter who pulled the trigger? The expression should be reserved for warning shots fired to alert one to clear and present danger! Brandon Washington, an African American evangelical pastor and scholar, provides us in this book with 'friendly fire' of this second kind. Rev. Washington is one of the friendliest and most committed Christians I know, but he has learned, seen and experienced things in his life that many white evangelicals never have. Hopefully, we can work together to put out this fire and save the church.'-- Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary
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