Living in Color: Embracing God's Passion for Ethnic Diversity

The book on Living in Color: Embracing God's Passion for Ethnic Diversity is authored by a Cherokee Native American or Indians as popularly known, Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley. The author, has primarily focused on the prime topic that the church in twenty first century needs to know the topic of multiculturalismThe topic of multiculturalism even as the author put is God's plan for God His people from the very beginning, having its roots in our first ancestors and disobeyed and fast forwarded at the tower of Babel, God who is the God of diversity accomplished His plan of preparing the bride of Christ in its most beautiful diverse way. God who is diverse in perspective is no respecter of persons. No culture is better or worse to the Lord. Hence to state one culture as superior to another and then to link it to state that to be a Christian one must assimilate into the dominant culture is not only horrendous sin but as the author stated worldly and Satanic. On pondering on this point, the connection that I could not first make first, that even as culture lifts itself up against another, it is following satanic trait of lifting ourselves. It was this pride that led to Babel, as it had led to Lucifer’s fall. I loved the way that the author alluded to Gen 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result,” to show how even through the self-inflicted curse (Location 159) God brought His intended good in dispersing people to form different culture, language and people group.Dr. Woodley presented in this book the expression of the diversity in Godhead as reflected in the Trinity and the creation. With the theological training the critic found the theology of the Trinity well explained and though expressions seemed at times a little stretched, however the diversity as the very heart of God cannot be denied. The creativity aspect (loc. 1696) was well brought out to be one of the predominant reasons behind the same.The author recounted various mistreatments of the First Americans in the hands of Euro-American immigrants. He calls it as dehumanization, ethnocentrism, or “cultural cannibalism (Loc. 186). Reading this book I have come to realize why the Native Americans have so vehemently refused the gospel and how the hypocritical Christianity (culture-tainted Christianity) has become a stumbling block to the many cultural-political ideas that was introduced in the name of Christianity. This has blocked the path of many hearts towards the Gospel, something that kept repeatedly coming up in Woodley’s book. (Loc. 408-409, 504).Before the discussion on the final two ideas discussed latter in this book, caution must be provided to the reader regarding the concept of overstretching contextualization. As Dr. Woodley stated that only cultures in tune with the Biblical teaching may be adopted and also caution must be applied not to force every cultural practice into the Scripture. Since the critic personally did not have much idea about the Native American practices, she found it difficult to judge the culture adopted from the Native Americans into the church (Loc. 445, 508, 744), but the critic believes the gospel is supra cultural, though certain cultural ingredients which are not against the Scripture and helps on propagation of the gospel, devoid of the native religious connotation, may be used.What the critic was humbled and refreshed reading the section of forgiveness, in the section of Getting beyond “Getting Along” (Woodley 2004, Loc. 17100). The practical steps laid out in the book in this process were very insightful o the critic. The psychological process of active listening has been stated as the number one in the healing process. In our attempt to heal the clients (Loc. 1724), this portion of the book seemed to be very insightful. The quote that stuck to me was (Loc1749) "Until a wounded person can express his pain to a person who represents those who have wounded him, it is very difficult for him to get past it". Confession is basically defined as taking up responsibilities for one’s action. (Loc. 1755). In psychotherapy that seemed to be too one of the steps of treatment, esp. in many schools of therapy like BT. Dr. Woodley demonstrated it in the latter portion where he quotes his message of confession to the African Americans for the unfair treatment that even the Native American people met out on them(loc. 1821). Such aggression that ran down the families, Dr. Woodley suggested must be dealt with. The author quoted Matt 18 the principle of reconciliation. Dr. Woodley then followed with the idea of “identification repentance” (Woodley 2004, Loc. 1781). Quoting Nehemiah, Moses, Ezra (loc. 1787) it was a call for cultural humility and mourning of the wrong that the forefathers of the privileged class inflicted. As Dr. Woodley noted it is a humbling process to recount the sins done by one’s own forefathers and apologize for them (loc. 1799). What is the epitome to the critic was the concept of forgiveness introduced to the inflicted group towards their inflictors. This is followed by the concept of restitution towards the deprived category of people (loc. 1855). and then followed by acting on the process of healing by applying the Biblical principles to start a renewed relationship(loc. 1909).What the author presented was a topic that was heavy in the heart of the critic which started back in her home-country but that was heavier while in this United States, was the idea of lack of unity in the body of Christ. As even the author quoted the Intercessory prayer of Christ, for the unity of believers in the likeness of the unity in the Trinity, it has grieved the heart of the critic to find how the body of Christ has been divided culturally. The cultural bandages has kept believers from being one, as there are white churches, black churches, Spanish churches, native American churches, Indian churches, Pilipino churches, etc. but there are few multicultural churches whereas the cultures are respected and utilized in the praise of God, just as it would be in heaven. Even in line with the author as he quoted Rev 7:9-10, as it states, “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." If there is no difference in heaven and all can worship together why should there be on earth since Church is God instituted organism on earth, and believers already are partakers of eternal life?In conclusion the critic would sincerely want to appreciate the author for the stand he has taken and truths that he so well laid out in this book. The critic recommended this book to elders in her church hopes that the Lord would break this wall of boundary that separates the cultures and that all in harmony would be able to join in praises to the Lord. As the Lord confirmed to the critic in His word, as she was writing this book review, through Jeremiah 50: 29-32,For she has defied the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.30 Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,” declares the Lord.31 “See, I am against you, you arrogant one,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty,“for your day has come, the time for you to be punished.32 The arrogant one will stumble and fall and no one will help her up;I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her.”Thus even for the culture that is lifted up, so the Lord will judge the people. The critic hence has realized that it is high time for church to heed the advice of the author Dr. Woodley in his book, Living in Color: Embracing God's Passion for Ethnic Diversity and be reconciled and united as the Lord Jesus so desired and shed His blood for it be accomplished.

I have to say that this was a very hard book to read as a white man. But I must say that the author said what needs to be said. I had a rush of emotions while reading. I was joyous when stories of deep-rooted Christlike multiculturalism were given. I was angry when I perceived that he might be calling me a racist. I was also saddened when convicted by the fact that I have at times done...dare I say it...racist things. The author is a person of mixed-blood, who mostly aligns his culture to that of the Cherokee Indians. As a result, throughout the book I could sense a very deep longing, sadness, and anger when it came to racism in America. But I also saw truth in what he was saying.Perhaps the most touching part of book is in chapter 14 during the section on repentance. He puts himself out there and shows us a speech he made asking for forgiveness from our African-American brothers and sisters for the racism and prejudice that his ancestors committed and for his own tendencies toward discrimination. I could not help but feel shame for feeling some of the same things he confessed to feeling.This is worth the read whether you are black, white, hispanic, asian, native american, or any other people group. God loves diversity. We love God. We should also love diversity.Kindle Note: Formatting is good, though the chapter numbers seem a bit faded. Still, it does not hamper the reading whatsoever.

This book will encourage Christians to think outside of themselves and perhaps help open eyes to issues not thought of in the past. I challenge the reader to keep reading with an open mind even if your theology causes you to question Woodley or if you become uncomfortable with the material. We read things we may not fully agree with because we need to be challenged from our status quo.

I just finished a seminary class on multicultural ministry and this is by far my least favorite of the books we read. Woodley's perspective is too narrowly dictated by his Native American heritage and his writings feel like they are attacking the reader if you happen to go to a mono-cultural church. Additionally, at various points in the book Woodley discusses concepts of receiving wisdom from birds, seeking blessings from the natives of the land, and providing restitution for sins committed hundreds of years ago by the white man using only Biblical support from the Old Testament which is pre-cross and pre-atoning work of Christ. Overall, I felt like the book was too narrow to benefit the average Christian looking to gain a broader perspective on ethnic diversity in the Church. I would suggest that you instead check out The Multicultural Leader by Dan Sheffield.

Although a very interesting read the assumptions continually put forth that the god of the American Indian Nations is that of the bible with representations of Jesus appearing in the 1st nations religious experiences crosses biblical teachings. The very first example the author gives is one from Asia that is often quoted to explain and put forth the teaching that all religions have salvific truth and lead to God. The last half of the book the author affirms Orthodox views but his wording and affirmation through out the beginning can not be ignored.

Challenge the way you were taught to view people.

The book arrived just days after I purchased it which is extremely wonderful. Packaged very well and I appreciate the vendors personal touch in relating to patrons. I look forward to reading this book for class.

I had to read this for a marraige and family counseling class. It was a great read in helping to understand cultural diversity.