Review: The Myth of Equality

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The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege

By Ken Wytsma (InterVarsity Press)

“White privilege.” Some people respond so defensively to the term, they won’t read beyond those two words. That would be a shame, because evangelical author Ken Wytsma—founder of The Justice Conference and president of Kilns College—offers valuable insights on race, privilege and the kingdom of God.

Wytsma begins at the beginning, exploring the concepts of race and color in the Western tradition, exploring the tragic history of colonialism and colonization. Bringing it home, he forthrightly examines the way racism is deeply rooted in U.S. history—not only the enslavement of Africans and genocide of Native Americans, but also Jim Crow laws, convict leasing (which he dubs “slavery by another name”), real estate redlining and mass incarceration of young black males.

Don’t dismiss The Myth of Equality as an example of a liberal wallowing in white guilt. Rather, Wytsma presents a solidly biblical—some might say prophetic—critique of the kingdoms of this world to challenge readers to embrace the kingdom of God. Accept the “whole gospel,” he urges, with its emphasis on justice as an essential characteristic. In the process, learn to listen, repent, lament, confess and lay down privilege for Christ’s sake.

Ken Camp, managing editor
Baptist Standard

 

 

 


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