A Burning House: Redeeming American Evangelicalism by Examining Its History, Mission, and Message

(Hardback)

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American Evangelicalism is ablaze. This is an inevitable result of divisions along ethnic and cultural lines, which have long tarnished the movement's witness. Doctrinal identity unites black and white evangelicals, but rifts afflict the camp, so the movement is waning.

In A Burning House, Brandon Washington contends that deliberate and sacrificial integration is the sole solution to bolster evangelicalism's foundation. In the 1950s and '60s, with desegregation on the horizon, Martin Luther King Jr. said, "I've come to believe that we are integrating into a burning house." As with the country, if we hope to move toward integrating the American Evangelical church, we must do so as firefighters.

Washington is not calling American Evangelicalism to become something new. Rather, he challenges the movement to realize what it has always been in Christ. The selfless integration of Evangelicalism will result in a holy witness to humanity and a greater understanding of Shalom--peace, justice, wholeness--in the world. These are the inevitable fruits of espousing and preaching a comprehensive gospel message.

Reviews

'Prophetic truth is hard truth. It demands that we see what we would rather ignore and do what we would rather neglect. But prophetic truth is also hopeful truth for it points us to One who redeems all things. This book speaks prophetic truth, in equal measure hard and hopeful. It calls us to look at our history and our present honestly, to see our place in both, to grieve, and to repent. And then it lifts our gaze to a vision of gospel-centered redemption that inspires and commands. Evangelicals need this book. Even more they need to heed its voice.' * Mark Young, PhD President, Denver Seminary *
'Brandon Washington has emerged as a much-needed prophetic voice for such a time as this. When many 'exvangelicals' are publicly disavowing American evangelicalism and leaving the church, he affirms his commitment to evangelicalism as he not only diagnoses what has gone wrong but offers a cogent way forward. He passionately calls us to restore American evangelicalism by a return to our roots by bringing the gospel to bear on sins such as injustice, racism, classism, and sexism. He deals with historical, cultural and theological complexity in a way that is engaging and accessible.' * Cynthia Long Westfall, PhD Associate Professor, McMaster Divinity College *
'A Burning Housefalls in a category of its own when it comes to today's Christian literature. By joining biblical faith with sound reasoning, Pastor Brandon Washington tackles a number of sensitive topics such as race, history, culture and the church. His presentation incorporates personal accounts with hard data to offer thought provoking arguments pertaining to American Evangelicalism. This book is real, relevant, and right on time for believers who desire to see His kingdom come and His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.' * Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr. Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Glenarden *
'Virtuous deconstructionis what Washington calls this expose of racism in the history of the United States and the American church. This book is truly virtuous: it is honest while gracious, courageous and informed. It is a timely call by an evangelical African American pastor-theologian to a compromised evangelicalism to rediscover its authenticity and commit itself to an authentic gospel and kingdom ethic. Direct, passionate, and constructive...a necessary word!' * M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), PhD Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy, Wheaton College and Graduate School *
'It is impossible to convey the content of the gospel without attaching cultural fingerprints. Such is the case with what my friend, Brandon Washington repeatedly references as 'American Evangelicalism'. Because of this we are in need of a 'virtuous deconstruction,' where the content of the gospel has been emancipated from its cultural captivity.A Burning House, is a timely, prophetic forensic into this much needed process.' * Dr. Bryan Loritts Author, Insider/Outsider *
''Friendly fire' is a strange expression: how can accidental killing ever be 'friendly' no matter who pulled the trigger The expression should be reserved for warning shots fired to alert one to clear and present danger! Brandon Washington, an African American evangelical pastor and scholar, provides us in this book with 'friendly fire' of this second kind. Rev. Washington is one of the friendliest and most committed Christians I know, but he has learned, seen and experienced things in his life that many white evangelicals never have. Hopefully, we can work together to put out this fire and save the church.' * Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary *

Author Bio

Brandon Washington is the pastor of preaching and vision at The Embassy Church in Denver. He holds a master's degree from Denver Seminary, where he studied Systematic Theology and Apologetics & Ethics. He lives with his wife, Cheri, and their two children in Colorado.