|
| Christian news worldwide |
 Home |
 Archives |
 Subscriptions |
 Adverts |
 Find a church |
 About us |
 Contact us |
 Site Map |
 PrintableVersion Black voicesThe shaping of our Christian experienceEbony eyesBLACK VOICES By using the first hand accounts of black men and women who lived or spent time in Britain from the mid 18th century through to the present day, Black Voices aims to inform black and white Christians of their heritage and the diversity of Britain’s cultural background. Each account is helpfully prefaced by some background information. The chronological ‘voices’ are grouped together in chapters focused on topics such as conversion or mission, political protest or ordinary Christian life. An introductory chapter gives a valuable social history of black people in Britain. The book is very accessible for gaining an insight into the varied experiences of black men and women throughout the last few centuries. We can grieve with them at the hypocrisy they encounter, but also rejoice when they hear of Christ for the first time or find welcome and partnership from white Christians. Less is moreFor me the frustration of the book was that the ‘voices’ were often snapshots from such a wide variety of individuals who spanned centuries, locations and situations in Britain. While this can be a strength of the book, I also found that a number of the extracts bore little relevance to the topic of the chapter and, at times, the faith of the individual to be irrelevant or cursory. I would have valued more insight into fewer individuals. The book does acknowledge its own limitations and yet it stimulates enough curiosity to demand that a fuller, more reflective, history should be written. Sarah Wray, © Evangelicals Now - October 2007 |
|
