Walking in Unity: Biblical Answers to Questions on Race and Racism

The church desperately needs this book. Bontrager and Duson bring a solidly biblical approach to issues of race and racism. The book explores the racial reconciliation/antiracism model, based on the critical social theories, that has migrated into the church from mainstream culture. But instead of simply poking holes in antiracism, they present an alternative framework—biblical unity—based on their study of the scriptures. While not minimizing our nation's (or the church's) sordid past in these areas, they offer a true, hope-filled call to participate with one another as the family that Christ died to make us. In Christ, unity is our starting point. This book makes a strong biblical case for that and offers practical guidance on how to live as brothers and sisters in the family of God."The beauty of Christianity, in contrast to secular worldviews, is that it offers a better hope for healing, justice, and unity. Where culture encourages contention and resentment, the gospel brings peace. The world says that reconciliation comes through favoritism and unity comes through striving. Christianity says reconciliation comes through Christ, not our works, and that striving ceases at the foot of the cross. This is good news for everyone, of every ethnicity and skin tone! It is Jesus who restores all things and makes us one family. He is the foundation of our unity" (pg. 223).While the book's theological framing is thorough and sound, it's also an extremely readable book woven around the story of the authors' unlikely friendship. They spent a lot of time walking and talking together, engaging with each other through misunderstandings, disagreements, and fun times alike. The way they persevered with each other is a powerful testimony and encouragement to me—and, I think, exactly the example believers need to set in a culture that encourages "canceling" those who don't agree with us. I want to walk this out, too, with the people the Lord has placed around me:"Instead of retreating permanently into avoidant silence or escalating until we burned down the friendship, we learned to enter those difficult conversations with more grace and humility because the other person was worth it" (pg. 21).

I began following CFBU in 2020, after seeing Monique interviewed on the Alisa Childers podcast. I had found myself getting caught up in the heat of the 2020 moment, wondering where, how, and if I should “take a side.” I longed to hear a black voice that was grounded in Scripture, there was so much confusion and redefining of words taking place in the culture.I’ve learned so much from them! it’s been a blessing to watch these two imperfect people grow in their friendship and their understanding of Scripture as it speaks to cultural hot topics. I love the way they are so transparent and “real” - we know they’re not faking anything or have any kind of “agenda.”So of course I was super excited to learn they were writing a book! And what a great book it is. In each chapter they answer a pressing question about race issues and include snippets from their personal journey as they walked and talked and sorted out why they believed what they believed. Scripture became the plumb line and that is where they landed on the truth, together.Again, their willingness to share their personal struggles along the way makes this book very compelling. The answers to each chapter’s question aren’t just flippant, back-handed words. They are solid, based firmly on the truths of Scripture, and were shaped through hard and deep searching.In chapter 2 they lay out their model for biblical unity that includes four principles: creation identity, salvation identity, matters of providence, and walking in unity. This was very helpful to me, especially the concept of “matters of providence”- the things that God has allowed in our life that we have no control over, like what color our skin is or where we are born. It’s our creation identity and salvation identity that ultimately define us.I also appreciated how they defined the “antiracism” and “racial reconciliation” approaches out there, pointing out the good in them but also what doesn’t line up with Scripture. They do not shy away from tough topics like America’s history of slavery or the discussion around reparations.Chapter 6 was powerful, too, about what it really means to “get everyone to the table.” My favorite line from the end of the chapter is “Monique and I found freedom in knowing there is no further work that either of us must do to become more reconciled to each other. All the work to make us family has already been done by Jesus!”I highly recommend this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This is an excellent and accessible book for thinking Biblically about race and racism! It’s the personal story of two friends from very different backgrounds who literally walked together while wrestling with questions of identity. There are great books out there to challenge the critical theory model, but this is a great one to start with!It’s packed with scripture, history, data, as well as the raw story of friendship and the birth of a ministry. Each chapter ends with reflection questions. This is great to read with a small group at church or a bookclub!🎧 I highly recommend the audiobook as well, it’s read by both authors so you get a sense of thier personalities.

The discussion of racial reconciliation seems to be a land mine riddled landscape of unshared definitions, political decisiveness and blaming. Monique and Krista bring a refreshing and Biblical approach to thinking through this divisive topic, without simplistic platitudes but Biblical depth. They don't take a simplistic approach, but clearly demonstrate how they have wrestled through the nuances of the debate and have landed on unity, consistent with Biblical truth. The writing style is extremely conversational with truth discovery woven through life anecdotes. Highly recommend and look forward to sharing with many others.