Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention: Diverse African American and White Perspectives - Softcover

"Contributors to this work can seldom avoid referencing their personal stories, evidencing the extent to which the book reveals the souls of the authors. Rest assured, the chapters will also touch the souls of the readers. Southern Baptists have needed this book for a long time."
--Paul H. Chitwood, Kentucky Baptist Convention
"Removing the Stain of Racism is not only essential reading for all who are committed to racial reconciliation in the SBC, but is a call to genuine repentance and gospel-centered living for Christ-followers everywhere. Readers should reflect with care, doing so with an open Bible along with a prepared heart, recognizing the need for continued faithfulness, further illumination, and enhanced understanding."
--David S. Dockery, Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"A true gift to the church--whether Southern Baptist or any other branch of the Christian faith--this is a must read for those serious about removing the deep stain of racism."
--Michael O. Emerson, North Park University
"Though the focus is on the SBC, the writers bring this voice to the church of Jesus Christ in general. I applaud the expertise and courage of each contributor."
--Bruce L. Fields, Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"Yes, racism is alive and at work in the SBC. But so is Jesus. This work deals honestly with the former and points us all to the hope inherent in the latter. Southern Baptists of every shade ought to take up and read!"
--Steven Harris, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
"Williams and Jones offer gospel-saturated biblical insights on how we can see Christ purge not only our convention but his global bride from every sinful implication of racism."
--D.A. Horton, Reach Fellowship, North Long Beach, CA
"As a pastor in a multi-ethnic community and as a parent in a multi-racial household, my prayer is that God will use this book in such a way that a far more wondrous kaleidoscope of colors and cultures will mark the future of the SBC."
--Timothy Paul Jones, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"This book makes a clarion call to contemporary Southern Baptist Christians and evangelical churches in America to transcend the barriers of race, ethnicity, ideology, and cultural traditions for the sake of Christ, for the sake of the gospel, and for the sake of the lost--to the majestic glory and fame of the eternal and immortal Triune God."
--Celucien L. Joseph, Indian River State College
"It is heartening to see a volume like this one, which is brimming with judicious reflections and compelling exhortations on how we can break down the 'dividing walls of hostility' that still separate Baptists."
--Thomas S. Kidd, Baylor University
"This honest, unveiling confrontation of the SBC's past is the foundation needed to bring about meaningful change in the present, and establish a renewed SBC in the future."
--Alex Medina, Vox Media
"The Southern Baptist Convention of the year 2050 will be truly multiethnic, or it will be dead. Which of these two paths is chosen will depend on how much gospel courage this generation will have, and on how much we believe the inerrant Bible we preach. May God use Removing the Stain to help us!"
--Russell D. Moore, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
"This powerful book is written for Southern Baptists, but should be read by all American believers. . . . Its great strength is to root the hope of racial reconciliation in the promise of the gospel."
--Mark Noll, University of Notre Dame
"The aim of this book isn't lament, but lasting change. But the pathway to lasting change is paved with stones of discomfort that come from honest dialogue. I'm eager to see how the Lord uses this in the life of pastors, churches, and this denomination." --John Onwuchekwa, Cornerstone Church, Atlanta, GA
"May this timely book encourage all believers toward such humility and courage that this generation might see the beauty of Jesus among us."
--Ray Ortlund, Immanuel, Nashville, TN
"May many inside and outside of the SBC read this team's work and so strive to help move their congregations toward the removal of remaining spots, blind spots, and blemishes related to racism, for the sake of Christ's glory in all the earth."
--Eric C. Redmond, Moody Bible Institute
"If you want to be a part of the much-needed change for the better in the Southern Baptist Convention, I encourage you to read this book, and, by God's grace and in his strength, join in the work to remove this stain."
--Juan R. Sanchez, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, TX
"This collection seeks to lance the boil of racism and drain its unhealthy and sinister content instead of simply providing a band aid for a wound that will not heal on its own."
--Robert Smith Jr., Beeson Divinity School/ Samford University
"This book will shine as a lamp of reconciliation for generations to come and gives other Christian denominations, fellowships, and institutions an example to follow."
--Jemar Tisby, Reformed African American Network
"I highly doubt readers will walk away from this book the same. When it comes to racial harmony the authors are bold, passionate, winsome, and gospel-centered."
--Cam Triggs, Grace Alive, Orlando, FL
"Written with the force and weight reminiscent of Soong-Chan Rah's The Next Evangelicalism, this book should not only be read by pastors and leaders, but should be studied and used as a reference by churches and other gospel movements in their own particular pursuits of racial reconciliation."
--Darryl Williamson, Living Faith Bible Fellowship, Tampa, FL
"This book is practically and intellectually indispensable for Baptists, and Christians from every denomination, as we face up to our individual and corporate responsibilities toward one another."
--John D. Wilsey, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has a historical stain. The SBC once affirmed slavery and openly opposed and condemned abolitionists. Even though the convention repented of this sin publicly, a profound divide between the white majority and the black and brown minority still exists for many churches.

This stain is more than historical fact; it prohibits Southern Baptist churches from embracing the one new man in Christ promised in Ephesians 2:11–22 and from participating in the new song of the saints from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation in Revelation 5:9.

The glorious gospel of Jesus Christ commands all his followers to do our part in removing racism from our midst. Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention is a powerful and practical call to sacrifice, humility, and perseverance—along with a relentless commitment to Christian unity—for the sake of the gospel and our brothers and sisters in Christ.