Living in Color: Embracing God's Passion for Ethnic Diversity

By Randy Woodley

Book Overview

"We would never give Picasso a paintbrush and only one color of paint, and expect a masterpiece," writes Randy Woodley. "We would not give Beethoven a single piano key and say, 'Play us a concerto.' Yet we limit our Creator in just these ways." Though our Christian experience is often blandly monochromatic, God intends for us to live in dynamic, multihued communities that embody his vibrant creativity.Randy Woodley, a Keetowah Cherokee, casts a biblical, multiethnic vision for people of every nation, tribe and tongue. He carefully unpacks how Christians should think about racial and cultural identity, demonstrating that ethnically diverse communities have always been God's intent for his people. Woodley gives practical insights for how we can relate to one another with sensitivity, contextualize the gospel, combat the subtleties of racism, and honor one another's unique contributions to church and society. Along the way, he reckons with difficult challenges from our racially painful history and offers hope for healing and restoration. With profound wisdom from his own Native American heritage and experience, Woodley's voice adds a distinctive perspective to contemporary discussions of racial reconciliation and multiethnicity. Here is a biblical vision for unity in diversity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830832556
• ISBN13: 9780830832552
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: IVP
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

An excellent book

Simply an excellent book for understanding not only the differences in ethnic diversity but in many of the differences that cause division in churches and across cultures. It is an honest book, a soul-searching book, yet a book of hope, as Randy Woodley offers discussions to lead the church away from uniformity and division to unity through diversity. He offers valid suggestions on why the famed revival that began on Azusa Street in the early 1900's was short-lived. If you desire to see healing across cultures and within the church, this book will be a beneficial read. As one who has already been concerned about these issues, this book has energized me in untold ways.

Life Changing

This is one of those books that is life changing and eye opening. Woodley does not pull punches, but he offers great hope for what the church can and should look like in a diverse world.