Reparations: a Christian Call for Repentance and Repair between white and black communities

Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair by Duke L Kwon and Gregory Thompson is a call to the Church, in particular white Christians to be awakening to the legacy of racism in America. The public cry and conversations regarding the issues of racial division and inequalities have been in the forefront recently. The authors feel it is an overdue response. As Christianity has the view of reconciliation has its sole purpose but are at a loss as to offer a solution for their black neighbors, the authors offer a new perspective on the Church’s responsibility for the deep racism at the heart of American culture and what it can do to repair that brokenness. The book’s main goal is to make a compelling historical and theological case for the Church’s obligation to provide reparations for the oppression of blacks. The authors focus on the church’s responsibility for its promotion and preservation of white supremacy throughout history, the Bible’s call for repair, and offer a vision for the work that needs to be done at the local level. Are they successful? 

For most of the book, the authors focus on how white supremacy was created in our system and the why it still persists. It wasn’t until about 57% into the book, do they talk about reparations. They focus more on community repair than just cutting a check and handing it over. They use the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 as the Samaritan chose to help the injured Jew in love with his eyes, his heart, his hands and his resources. The authors do their best to make a compelling case for reparations; however, at times I felt like they were talking in circles. And while they make a case that white churches need to share the wealth to help repair balck churches and communities and add black voices to the conversation, they don’t really offer how with specifics. They talk about the obstacles that white supremacy has created for the black community, again without saying specifically what the obstacles are, just ways they can be overcome. Overall, I recommend Reparations is a place to start the conversation. 

Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.