The Church Enslaved: A Spirituality of Racial Reconciliation

The Church Enslaved: A Spirituality of Racial Reconciliation by Tony Campolo and Michael Battle Fortress, Minneapolis, 2005. 159 pp. $15.00. ISBN 08006-3697-X.

THIS SMALL VOLUME TACKLES the malignancy of racism in the church, still, today. It is authored by two well-known scholars who have made the project of dismantling racism central to their careers. Tony Campolo (Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University) is the colorful and insightful academic who has long brought the descriptive task of the social sciences into challenging engagement with the church as well as public issues. Michael Battle (Associate Dean and Professor at Virginia Theological Seminary) is a younger scholar best known for his work on Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Together, this bi-racial team embodies authenticity and accountability so lacking in communities of faith who too often become tongue-tied around the discussion of race.

Campolo and Battle draw on a wide range of sources-both academic and experiential-in constructing their analysis. The first half of the book unpacks the problem, beginning with defining racism and unmasking both its individualistic and systemic manifestations. They seek to be very even handed in looking at how communities of African as well as European descent participate in the construction and fallout of racism. The second half of the book moves beyond the analysis to response. Again, they present both collective action for justice as well as spiritual practices for individuals. Transformation is encouraged at both the social and personal levels. They include questions for discussion for each chapter as well as a list of resources: publications, organizations, and internet sources.

The book is envisioned as a tool for congregations struggling with racism. It could be effectively used, for example, in an adult education series. There are also enough stories and references to flesh out a hearty sermon series on the subject. There are some limitations, however, about which readers should be aware.

First, this book is very focused on the dynamics between black and white. It does not venture into other areas of multiculturalism in this country at this time. This is defensible, given the particularity of African American experience rooted in slavery. Black/white racism is also the primary lens which informs all other intercultural dynamics in this country. Those looking for resources for more diverse settings should be aware of the laser focus of this book.

Second, it comes from two evangelical scholars who are really addressing that theological community in particular. That is not to say it is so in-house as not to be helpful for a mainline Protestant church. It would have been helpful to eliminate the references to the evangelical community since the issue is unfortunately universal across the theological spectrum.

Finally, the book is limited by its modest length. Into few pages are packed many references, often in passing, to a wide variety of sources. If readers are not familiar with the writings of James Cone, Howard Thurman, William J. Wilson, John Mbiti, or any of the other voices cited, hopefully the book will pique interest to do additional research. It is regrettable to have such superficial treatment of important theorists in the event that readers do not dig deeper. Perhaps in a later edition, Campolo and Battle can expand on the ideas, or perhaps the collaboration should continue for a second volume.

[Author Affiliation]

KATIE DAY

LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA