Randy Woodley, in his book, Living in color, avows God’s enchantment in diversity and asserts a compelling biblical model touching on racial reconciliation in churches and nations.
Randy Woodley’s Living in Color provides insight on the dangers associated with individuals who wishes for sameness, and also tackles how the diversity in God’s creation is celebrated. In addition, he acknowledges the human desire for stability and human continuity countering the human tendencies with biblical and theological explanations. According to Woodley, “Sin tries to exclude or denigrate the identity of others not like us; to limit or thwart potential relationships; and to impede communication by making our differences seem intolerable” (p. 144). The aforementioned context above depicts how Woodley helps the reader apprehend the diversity, and highlights the effects of opposing it, as well as God’s intentions of restoring diversity. The author understands how the Native Americans experienced injustices and applies his biblical literate theology to comfort them. He explains the manifestation of God during the hard times and encourages people to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, those who abandon the Christian cultures because of influence from Western cultures are warned on the dire consequences. It is interesting to notice how the novelist explores avenues touching his experiences to manifest how the Supreme Being may be encountered. Citing the Scripture, Woodley claims that ability to heal all creation-the people and the land, is God driven. He also states that the culprits of defilement will face the wrath of Deity.
Living in color unfolds the process of building cross-cultural relationships; honor one another’s specific contributions to the church, contextualize the gospel message, and exposes the subtle racism that exists in the modern-day Christian communities. Woodley narrate events that awaken the reader to understand the capacity of God in creation. His experience is vital in showcasing the diversities amongst people and the best way to live as brethren. The author criticizes the contemporary practices since they fail to meet the rendered theological expectation. He asserts that people have failed to portray God’s envisioned dynamic, multiethnic and multiracial community. To support his arguments, Woodley blames the Christians for conforming to the Anglo culture and discriminating the masses according to their race and color. Indeed, people of color must spread the gospel to showcase the reign of God, failure to reflect this will be termed as hypocrisy. According to the author, racism has grown in churches and Christians ignores that God is color blind and treats all individuals in equality, fairness and justice. Christians are challenged to be role models by portraying the events in the bible.
Woodley focuses on a variety of burning issues ranging from racism, brokenness, injustice, and suffering in the present-day society. The book, Living in Color, presents twelve sessions that criticize Christians who lacks faith and fail to practice justice, racial reconciliation and compassion. The author stresses the chances of communities to participate in impervious and unjust behaviors and the ease of ignoring performing the good deeds. Woodley narrates real life stories and combines them with biblical events for Christians to understand the process of rejection, reconciliation and compassion. He speaks of our unwillingness to acknowledge others as neighbors, as outlined in the Ten Commandments.
Most importantly, Woodley states compassion as a Christian virtue that promotes racial reconciliation. When people exercise compassion, they interact comfortably with one another and boots awareness and reality of injustice, suffering and brokenness in the modern society. Above a mere description, Living in Color offers, sustainable means to practice reconciliation in our daily encounters. The author uses his authoritative style to condemn the contemporary society for failing to honor God’s obligation and strictly adhering to the Scripture. He warns those who go against the will of God by asserting that the wages of sin is death.
In my opinion, Christ can be equally represented in any culture. The Scripture states that Christ died four our sins. Therefore, people, need to embrace his teachings and follow the footsteps of the son of God. When different cultures sticks to Jesus’ were of life, they will represent the goodness of Christ and portray the same images despite their diversities. Ways to express equality, fairness and justice are not differently making it possible for Christ to be expressed equally in any culture. In a situation where the cultures fail to honor the scripture, Christ will be portrayed in a different manner because the cultures will fail to demonstrate the readings of the scripture. The ball is in the court of Christians present in different cultures that are challenged to act as the role models and live in accordance to Christ’s teachings as expressed in the Holy Bible.
The book captures the attention of the reader because of the way it addresses racial reconciliation amongst the society. The author moved us to laughter, tears, contemplation, repentance and hope for the future. Woodley expresses his ideas in a clear, consistent, and concise manner. He is very compassionate and encourages Christians to love one another despite the racial barrier because, in the eyes of God, all human beings are equal. His life experiences portray both the good and bad part. Woodley insights are transparent, valuable and well-timed. He has a compelling vision of integrating the Gospel with multi-cultural partnerships to transform the world. The author builds trust by sticking solidly to the biblical foundations and teaching. He depicts the love of God to all people since humans were created under God’s image. The novelist has mastered the art of developing biblical themes of creation, God’s love, and justice. The book’s popularity is on the upsurge, and it interests individuals attracted to racial and cultural reconciliation.
References
Woodley, R. (2004). Living in color: Embracing God's passion for ethnic diversity. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
