Reading List

Bibliography on African-American History and Culture and Racial Reconciliation***

Books*
  • Aeschliman, Gordon D. John Perkins: Land Where My Father Died. Regal Books, Ventura, California, 1987.
  • Anderson, Carol. “White Rage: “The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide.” Bloomsbury, New York, 2017.
  • Bennett, Lerone, Jr. Before The Mayflower. Penguin Books. New York, New York, 1988 (sixth edition).
  • Boone, Wellington. Breaking Through. Broadman & Holman Publishers. Nashville, Tennessee. 1996.
  • Bradley, Athony B. Liberating Black Theology. The Bible and the Black Experience in America. Crossway. Wheaton, Illinois, 2010.
  • Burns, Stewart, To The Mountaintop: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Mission to Save America 1955-1968, New York: HarperCollins, 2004.
  • Campbell, Benjamin, Richmond’s Unhealed History, Richmond, Brandylane Publishers, Inc., 2012.
  • Carter, Anthony J. On Being Black and Reformed. P&R Publications, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2003.
  • Claiborne, Shane and John M. Perkins. Follow Me To Freedom: Leading and Following As An Ordinary Radical. Regal, Ventura, California, 2009.
  • Cose, Ellis. The Envy of the World. Washington Square Press. New York, NY 2002.
  • Crespo, Orlando. Being Latino in Christ. IVP Books, 2009.
  • David, Jay, ed. Growing Up Black, New York: Avon Books, 1992.
  • Dennis, Denise. Black History For Beginners. Writers and Readers Publishing. New York, New York, 1984.
  • Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls Of Black Folk. Barnes & Noble Classics, New York, 2003.
  • Ellis, Carl F., Jr. Malcolm, The Man Behind The X. ICR Publications, Union City, Ga., 1993.
  • Ellis, Carl F., Jr. Free at Last?—Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1996.
  • Evans, Anthony T. Are Blacks Spiritually Inferior To Whites? Renaissance Productions, 1992.
  • Evans, Anthony T. Oneness Embraced: Through the Eyes of Tony Evans. Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 2011.
  • Emerson, Michael B. and Christian Smith. Divided By Faith. Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Oxford University Press. Oxford/New York, 2000.
  • Franklin, John Hope and Alfred A. Moss, Jr. From Slavery To Freedom. McGraw-Hill, Inc. New York, New York, 1994 (seventh edition)
  • Freeman, Joel A. and Don B. Griffin. Return To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Race. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 2003.
  • Garriott, Maria. A Thousand Resurrections: An Urban Spiritual Journey. Washington, DC: Riott Publishing LLC, 2006.
  • Gilbreath, Edward. Reconciliation Blues, A Black Evangelical’s Inside View of White Christianity. IVP Books, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2006.
  • Greenway, Roger S., ed. Discipling The City: A Comprehensive Approach to Urban Mission. (Second Edition), Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1992
  • Griffin, John Howard. Black Like Me. . Penguin Group, New York, NY, 1960.
  • Hacker, Andrew. Two Nations: Black & White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal. Scribner. New York, NY. 1992.
  • Haley, Alex. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Ballantine Books, New York, 1965.
  • Haley, Alex. Roots. Double Day, Garden City, New York, 1976.
  • Harris, Paula and Doug Schaupp. Being White: Finding Our Place in a Multiethnic World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
  • Hunter, Karen. Stop Being Niggardly and Nine Other Things Black People Need to Stop Doing, New York: Karen Hunter Publishing, 2010.
  • James, Kay Coles. Never Forget. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992.
  • Ireland, David. What Color Is Your God? A New Approach to developing a Multicultural Lifestyle. Impact Publishing House. Verona, New Jersey., 2000.
  • Jones, Howard and Wanda. Heritage and Hope: The Legacy and Future of The Black Family in America. Victor Books. 1992.
  • Kellemen, Robert. Beyond the Suffering. Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007.
  • King, Martin Luther, Jr. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Warner Books. New York, NY. 1998.
  • King, Martin Luther Jr. Stride Toward Freedom: the Montgomery Story, New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1958.
  • King, Martin Luther Jr. Why We Can’t Wait, New York: Penguin Group, 1963.
  • Layton, Aaron J. Dear White Christian. Lawrenceville, GA. Committee on Discipleship Ministries, 2017.
  • Lucas, Sean Michael. For a Continuing Church: The Roots of the Presbyterian Church in America. P&R Publishing Company. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2015.
  • Marsh, Charles. God’s Long Summer. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1997.
  • McKissic, William Dwight, Sr. and Evans, Anthony, T. Beyond Roots. Renaissance Productions, Wenonah, NJ, 1994.
  • Miline, Bruce. Dynamic Diversity: Bridging Class, Age, Race and Gender in the Church. IVP Academic, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2007.
  • Mulder, Mark. Aida Ramos, and Gerardo Marti. Latino Protestants in America: Growing and Diverse. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017.
  • Peart, Norman Anthony. Separate No More, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000.
  • Perkins, John. Beyond Charity. Baker Books. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1993.
  • Perkins, John. With Justice For All. Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 1982
  • Perkins, John. Let Justice Roll Down. Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 1976.
  • Perkins, John. Quiet Revolution. Urban Family Publications, Pasadena, CA, 1976.
  • Perkins, John & Thomas A. Tarrants, III. He’s My Brother. Chosen Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 1994.
  • Perkins, John. Resurrecting Hope. Regal Books, Ventura, California, 1995
  • Perkins, Spencer and Rice, Chris. More Than Equals. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1993.
  • Perkins, John, ed. Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together & Doing It Right. Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995
  • Piper, John. Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian. Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois, 1903, 2011.
  • Raboteau, Albert J. Slave Religion: The “Invisible Institution” in the Antebellum South, (Updated Edition), Oxford: University Press, 2004.
  • Sadler, Robert. The Emancipation of Robert Sadler. Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN, 1975, 2012
  • Salvatierra, Alexia and Peter Heltzel. Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World. IVP books, 2014.
  • Serven, Doug. General Editor. Heal Us, Emmanuel. Oklahoma City, OK. White Blackbird Books, 2016.
  • Shuler, Clarence. Winning the Race to Unity, Chicago: Moody Press, 1998.
  • Steele, Shelby. The Content of Our Character. HarperPerennial, New York, New York, 1991.
  • Usry, Glen & Craig S. Keener. Black Man’s Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1996.
  • Walters, Ronald W. White Nationalism/Black Interests: Conservative Public Policy and the Black Community. August 2003.
  • Walters, Ronald W. The Price of Racial Reconciliation. University of Michigan Press, 2009.
  • Ware, A. Charles. Prejudice and The People of God. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 2001.
  • Washington, Raleigh and Kehrein, Greg. Breaking Down Walls. Moody Press. Chicago, Illinois, 1993.
  • Williams, Juan and Quintgon Dixie, Ph. D. This Far by Faith. HarperCollins Publishers Inc. New York, NY, 2003
  • Wright, Richard. Native Son, New York: HarperCollins, 1940.
Articles**
  • Becker, Robert M. “Why Do We Celebrate Black History Month?”
  • Blake, John. “Why Many Americans Prefer Their Sundays Segregated.” September 2008.
  • Ellis, Carl. “reflections on Black Lives.” July 2016.
  • Ellis, Carl. “Some Things I’ve Learned Along the Way.” 2016
  • Ellis, Carl. “Racism Alone?” Reflections on the Current National Divide.” December 2014.
  • Ellis, Karen. “Step Out the Boat: Following the Urban Disciple Maker.” December 2014.
  • Ince, Irwyn. “Get Out Of The Ghetto.” February, 2009.
  • Jolley, Reed. “Love In Black And White.” Christianity Today March 1994.
  • Nabors, Randy. “On Racial Reconciliation.”
  • Nabors, Randy. “Some Ideas to Help Someone Pursuing Cross Cultural Relationships and Ministry”
  • Perkins, Mitali. “Guess Who’s Coming to Church?” Christianity Today. March 1994.
  • Piper, John. “Is There Such A Thing As Race? from his book, Bloodlines, 2011.
  • Piper, John. “The Sovereignty of God and the Soul Dynamic” from his book, Bloodlines, 2011.
  • Piper, John. “How and Why Bethlehem Baptist Church Pursues Ethnic Diversity” from his book, Bloodlines, 2011.
  • Frangipane, Francis. “Reconciliation” Charisma. April 1993.
Blogs
  • Prophets of Culture: http://drcarlellisjr.blogspot.com
  • The Ellis Perspective: https://www.ellisperspectives.com
  • The Witness: https://thewitnessbcc.com
  • The Front Porch: https://thefrontporch.org
Videos/DVD’s***
  • Campolo, Tony & Cain Hope Felder. Lift Every Voice: The Bible In An Age Of Diversity. Seraphim Communications, Inc. Biblical Institute for Social Change.
  • Evans, Tony. The Sin Of Racism. The Urban Alternative, 1996.
  • National Desk. Redefining Racism: Fresh Voices From Black America. Whidbey Films, 1997.
  • Ware, A. Charles. Reconciliation, Rooted in Redemption and Guided By Revelation. Answers In Genesis, 2004.
  • Healing The Heart Of America. Richmond, VA, 1993
  • The Church and the Racial Divide, Trevor Atwood, ed. LifeWay, 2019.
*Most of these books are available in the church library for you to check out and then return.
**These articles are in your Inquirer’s Weekend booklet.
***Some of these videos are in the library and some I have at home. I would be glad to loan them out.

Bibliography on Doctrine, Church History, and Christian Living 

I. The Westminster Confession:
  • Truths We Confess: A Layman’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith, vol. 1: The Triune God by R.C. Sproul
  • The Westminster Confession of Faith, Summertown Texts
  • The Westminster Confession of Faith: Commentary by J.H. Gerstner
  • The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes by G.I. Williamson

II. Salvation by Grace Alone:
  • Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel by Michael Horton
  • What is Justification by Faith Alone? J.V. Fesko

III. Reformed Theology:
  • Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul
  • Reformed Theology, Video Series, by R.C. Sproul
  • Summary of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof
  • Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray

IV. The Trinity:
  • The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief by James White
  • The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything by Fred Sanders.

V. The Apostles’ Creed:
  • We Believe: Recovering the Essentials of the Apostles’ Creed by Michael Horton

VI. Witnessing/Evangelism:
  • Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
  • The Gospel Commission: Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples by Michael Horton
  • Tactics: A Game Plan for Discuss Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl
  • Making Sense of God by Tim Keller
  • The Reason for God by Tim Keller

VII. Prayer:
  • A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul E. Miller
  • Christian Meditation by Edmund P. Clowney
  • The Hour That Changes the World by Dick Eastman
  • The Necessity of Prayer (and 6 other books on prayer) by E.M. Bounds

VIII. Baptism:
  • To A Thousand Generations: Infant Baptism—Covenant Mercy for the People of God by Douglas Wilson
  • The Case for Covenantal Infant Baptism edited by Gregg Strawbridge
  • Christian Baptism by John Murray
  • http://heidelblog.net/2012/11/baptism-the-doctrine-that-caused-tears-1/ 5-part series
  • What Christian Parents Should Know About Infant Baptism by John P. Sartelle
  • Why Do We Baptize Our Children? A Video, By Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
  • Why Do We Baptize Infants? by Bryan Chapell

IX. The Lord´s Supper:
  • The Lord’s Supper: Eternal Word in Broken Bread by Robert Letham
  • Children and the Lord’s Supper by Guy Waters and Ligon Duncan
  • What is the Lord’s Supper? By Richard Phillips

X. Counseling:
  • Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson
  • Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping
  • People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp
  • The Heart of a Servant Leader by C. John Miller
  • Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

XI. Marriage:
  • Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
  • Each for the Other by Bryan Chapell
  • Marriage by Tim Keller

XII. Church History:
  • The Church in History by B.K. Kuiper
  • Exploring Church History by Howard F. Vos
  • A History of Christianity, Volume 1 and 2, by Kenneth Scott Latourette
  • Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley
  • The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1 and 2 by Justo González

XIII. Understanding and Reaching the LGBT Community:
General
  • Mark Yarhouse, Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends (Bethany House Publishers, 2010), 240pp.—If you only get one book on this list, this is the one to get. A Christian clinical psychologist addresses questions with honesty and attention to detail to help pastors, parents, and congregations understand homosexuality.
  • Wesley Hill, Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian (Brazos Press, 2015), 160pp.—Much practical wisdom comes from Wesley Hill, a celibate gay Christian, who writes about the need to form lasting relationships as a solution to include and provide support to LGBT individuals who seek to live the Christian life and ethic.
  • Travis Collins, What Does It Mean to Be Welcoming? Navigating LGBT Questions in Your Church (IVP Books, 2018), 144pp.—A shorter book addressing similar questions as those above with an eye to a congregation-level context of responsiveness.
  • Preston Sprinkle, People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue (Zondervan, 2015), 224pp.—Preston Sprinkle deftly elevates our conversations about homosexuality above an issue to be discussed or debated so that we consider the real lives that are at stake in how we address this important topic and life circumstance.
  • Nate Collins, All but Invisible: Exploring Identity Questions at the Intersection of Faith, Gender, and Sexuality (Zondervan, 2017), 320pp.—Have you ever wondered “Why do they need to add ‘gay’ to their identity? We’re all Christians”? This book is for you. Addressing how identity is formed and why the identifiers we use matter, Collins explores how identity concerns intersect and fit into the broader Christian vision of humanity, not directly suggesting an answer to that question, but helping us understand what goes into those considerations and identities.
  • Mark Yarhouse, Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (IVP Academic, 2015), 191pp.—One of the top Christian researchers on the topic, Yarhouse addresses key questions about this emerging issue in the Church.
Testimonies
  • Wesley Hill, Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality, Revised and Expanded Edition (Zondervan, 2016), 224pp.—Wesley Hill’s autobiographical testimony on his struggle with his attractions and how he lives the full Christian life with them.
  • Rosaria Butterfield, Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, Expanded Edition (Crown and Covenant Publications, 2014), 208pp.—The story of a secular woman who is lesbian who was converted to Christianity, with some interesting implications for how the Church engages its community.
  • Gregory Coles, Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity (IVP Books, 2017), 144pp.—Coles tells his story and, in the process, shows a path forward to work with those who identify as gay and also are trying to live the Christian life, as well as how to work with those who are outside the Church.
Family, Youth, Children
  • Preston Sprinkle, Living in a Gray World: A Christian Teen’s Guide to Understanding Homosexuality (Zondervan, 2015), 160pp.—An accessible guide to help teenagers understand what homosexuality is and to show an accessible view of how to live in a world that is not black and white.
  • Mark Yarhouse, Understanding Sexual Identity: A Resource for Youth Ministry (Zondervan, 2013), 208pp.—Yarhouse’s practical guide and condensation of his major book on homosexuality, this is useful for parents and youth-related staff that addresses key questions and common concerns with attention to practical ministry.
  • Joe Dallas, When Homosexuality Hits Home: What to Do When a Loved One Says, “I’m Gay” (Harvest House Publishers, 2015), 224pp.—A good guide to how to respond with love when someone you know comes out. Helpful, practical, and therefore imminently useful.
Online and Video Resources
  • Spiritual Friendship blog: www.spiritualfriendship.org
  • Walls Down: www.wallsdown.org
  • Walls Down is an organization that exists to help conservative, biblical churches welcome LGBT+ persons and minister to them.
  • Interview with Dr. Mark Yarhouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQUIcTR-LJA
  • Dr. Wesley Hill on Christian Faith and Same Sex Attraction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KybVFV7e-ss
  • Dr. Wesley Hill at Revoice 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImESpqDCfhQ
  • Ty Wyss, founder of Walls Down, at Gordon-Conwell in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQhS39EonSo

XIV. General:
  • Knowing God by J.I. Packer
  • Last Things First: Unlocking Genesis 1-3 with the Christ of Eschatology by J.V. Fesko
  • The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman
  • The Gospel-Centered Life by Bob Thune and Will Walker
  • Christian Living in the Home by Jay E. Adams