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Evangelical Christianity in America has a reputation for political self-interest and hurtful attitudes toward homosexuals, women, minorities, followers of different religions, and others outside its fold. Though sometimes unfair, sadly, this reputation is too often deserved. In Forgive Us, four evangelical leaders confess the church's public failings and call their fellow believers to reengage the surrounding culture in a new and better way.
List of contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Genocide of Indigenous People in the Americas
Chapter 2: Environmental Degradation and the Stewardship of Creation
Chapter 3: Racism and Xenophobia
Chapter 4: Sexism and Oppression of Women
Chapter 5: Marginalization and Abuse of the LGBTQ Community
Chapter 6: God and Country: Nativism and Immigration
Chapter 7: Christocentrism, Anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia
Conclusion
About the author
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP); author of the award winning Social Justice Handbook and other books on spirituality and justice. Cannon has several masters degrees and earned her doctorate in American History with the minor in Middle Eastern studies from the University of California--Davis, focusing on the history of the American Protestant church's engagement in Israel and Palestine.
Summary
Many people have become angry and frustrated with organized religion and evangelical Christianity, in particular. Too often the church has proven to be a source of pain rather than a place of hope. Forgive Us acknowledges the legitimacy of much of the anger toward the church. In truth, Christianity in America has significant brokenness in its history that demands recognition and repentance. Only by this path can the church move forward with its message of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.
Forgive Us is thus a call to confession. From Psalm 51 to the teachings of Jesus to the prayers of Nehemiah, confession is the proper biblical response when God’s people have injured others and turned their backs on God’s ways. In the book of Nehemiah, the author confesses not only his own sins, but also the sins of his ancestors. The history of the American church demands a Nehemiah-style confession both for our deeds and the deeds of those who came before us.
In each chapter of Forgive Us two pastors who are also academically trained historians provide accurate and compelling histories of some of the American church’s greatest shortcomings. Theologian Soong-Chan Rah and justice leader Lisa Sharon Harper then share theological reflections along with appropriate words of confession and repentance.
Passionate and purposeful, Forgive Us will challenge evangelical readers and issue a heart-felt request to the surrounding culture for forgiveness and a new beginning.
