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by Randy Woodley (Author)
"We would never give Picasso a paintbrush and only one color of paint, and expect a masterpiece," writes Randy Woodley. "We would not give Beethoven a single piano key and say, 'Play us a concerto.' Yet we limit our Creator in just these ways." Though our Christian experience is often blandly monochromatic, God intends for us to live in dynamic, multihued communities that embody his vibrant creativity.Randy Woodley, a Keetowah Cherokee, casts a biblical, multiethnic vision for people of everynation, tribe and tongue. He carefully unpacks how Christians should think about racial and cultural identity, demonstrating that ethnically diverse communities have always been God's intent for his people. Woodley gives practical insights for how we can relate to one another with sensitivity, contextualize the gospel, combat the subtleties of racism, and honor one another's unique contributions to church and society. Along the way, he reckons with difficult challenges from our racially painfulhistory and offers hope for healing and restoration. With profound wisdom from his own Native American heritage and experience, Woodley's voice adds a distinctive perspective to contemporary discussions of racial reconciliation and multiethnicity. Here is a biblical vision for unity in diversity.
Author Biography
Randy Woodley (PhD, Asbury Seminary) is Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture and the director of intercultural and indigenous studies at George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Woodley is a Keetoowah Cherokee Indian who has been in ministry among First Nations people since 1984. He is a teacher, poet, activist, former pastor, missiologist and historian. He and his wife, Edith (Eastern Shoshone/Choctaw), are cofounders of Eagle's Wings Ministry and are considered early innovators in the Native American Contextual Movement. He is a founding board member of NAIITS, the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies, and he administers the Fox/ NAIITS cooperative Master of Arts Intercultural Studies degree. Woodley is active in the ongoing discussions concerning new church movements, racial and ethnic diversity, peace, social justice, interreligious dialogue and mission. He regularly blogs in these areas and is the author of Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision and Living in Color: Embracing God's Passion for Ethnic Diversity.
