Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical’s Inside View of White Christianity (IVP, 2006)

Combining a personal memoir with a probing investigative report, journalist Edward Gilbreath gives an insightful, honest picture of both the history and the present state of racial reconciliation in evangelical churches. He looks at a wide range of figures, including Tom Skinner, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, and John Perkins. Charting progress as well as setbacks, his words offer encouragement for black evangelicals feeling alone, clarity for white evangelicals who want to understand more deeply, and fresh vision for all who want to move forward toward Christ’s prayer “that all of them may be one.” Reviews and endorsements Buy the book Or get more information at ReconciliationBlues.com

Gospel Trailblazer: An African American Preacher’s Historic Journey Across Racial Lines (Moody, 2003)

Billy Graham made a dramatic decision to go against the grain of the segregationist era in the church: he opened his ministry to people of all races. Dr. Howard O. Jones became Dr. Graham’s first African-American colleague, thereby helping him integrate and broaden his ministry. Readers from all backgrounds will be inspired, informed, and challenged as they read Gospel Trailblazer. Even if Dr. Jones isn’t a familiar name, this book will help readers more fully appreciate the triumphs and failures of the 20th Century evangelistic movement. Buy the Book

PRAISE FOR RECONCILIATION BLUES

Edward Gilbreath is a gentle prophet. He forces us to take another look at an issue that many wish would go away, but he does so in a way that encourages us to live up to what we believe. This book both prods us to racial reconciliation and models how to get there.”

“What Gilbreath has done in his well-researched and very personal book is not only to call out the black Christian experience as what it’s always been--unique, pain-filled, rich and diverse--but he’s given many African American Christians clear validation for not wanting to or having to assimilate into today’s version of evangelicalism. Gilbreath has also given people like me--an Asian American Christian who’s also felt like the ‘token’ nonwhite on historically white evangelical boards--more of a basis for our lingering sense of misgiving and even episodes of outrage. I am going to insist not only that my own church staff and leaders read this book; I’m also going to recommend highly that white Christian organizations with the stated goal of racial righteousness study and discuss it. This book clearly stands out among the many other great books on this subject because of the commitment and courage of the author.”

“This is a fine piece of work. Evangelical Christians need to hear it and take heed. I highly recommend this book.”

“This is a gifted writer’s firsthand account of the black evangelical experience in America . . . a beautifully written chronicle of the strange dilemma of being a black evangelical in a predominately white movement. Gilbreath has written a tough account of his experience as a black evangelical, and he wraps the brick in soft velvet. This reads easily, but it is deeply disturbing after all these years. Oh well . . .”

“Edward Gilbreath is one of the nation’s foremost journalists on Christianity and race. Reconciliation Blues is a spellbinding first-person look into his world as he has navigated white evangelicalism. In the process, we are provided with both a powerful teaching tool and an eye-opening journey into what is white about American Christianity. People of all backgrounds will learn much by reading this engaging book.”

“Amazingly authentic! A must-read for anyone who wants insight about blacks who must dance on the evangelical floor of multiculturalism.”

“Ed Gilbreath is one of those prophets who comes out of nowhere with a message from the heart of God. His words make us uncomfortable, but that is the mission of a prophet. . . . Some of what he is saying to us about race and culture is painful to hear, but we must listen.”

“Both loving and angry, but always true, Edward Gilbreath’s brave exploration of ‘white Christianity’ takes a daring look at racial disconnection in the evangelical world, then challenges believers to do something redemptive to heal the problem. Bold, topical and urgently on time.”

“A fair and balanced, yet frank and honest, assessment of the state of evangelicalism in terms of racism and reconciliation. Gilbreath has lived and worked in the Euro evangelical community for much of his life. He is an appreciative, yet frustrated evangelical. . . . Edward Gilbreath writes with knowledge, sensitivity and insight in a way that will benefit both the Afro and the Euro reader.”

“We’ve needed a book like this for a long time: strong writing, honest observations and hopeful assessments of a complex but nonnegotiable issue for Christians. By providing both a personal and social perspective of racial tensions within evangelical contexts, Ed Gilbreath has done us a great service--especially if we pay attention.”

“This is must reading for anyone committed to racial reconciliation, but especially to white folks like me who have a long way to go in understanding our African American brothers and sisters.”