One Nation under God: Healing Racial Divides in America - Downloadable

Overview

Amid divisive rhetoric, violence, riots, and racial tensions, confusion arises—how can Christians tear down the racial walls dividing our country?

This division stems from a lack of communication, empathy, and understanding. Author Rev. B. Keith Haney, an African American LCMS pastor, encourages everyone to seek answers to racial tensions in the only place where truth and peace can be found—God’s Word. Healing must begin with Jesus.

In this downloadable six-session study, you’ll openly communicate and begin the healing process. Healing takes time and effort and can only be accomplished as God changes our sinful human hearts.

Let’s be a nation united—united under God.

Endorsements

“One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America is biblical, thoughtful, reflective and interactive in its approach to help us heal racial division. This is a wonderful resource for individual congregations and sister congregations to walk and work through the healing process of race and racism in our community as One Nation Under God.”
—Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray, Jr., Director of Black & African Ministry, LCMS Office of National Mission

“One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America takes an honest, raw and courageous look at the very real racial divide we are experiencing today, bringing the healing and restoring truth of Jesus Christ the Reconciler and Healer into the equation.  If you want clarity in perspective and a clear course of action for racial reconciliation, dig deeply into this study.”
—Rev. Mike Newman, Mission and Ministry Facilitator for the Texas District, LCMS

“When you find your identity in Jesus Christ alone, all our relationships are transformed in Him! Rev. B. Keith Haney applies this powerful truth to the issues of racism and racial reconciliation that transcends politics and preference, bigotry and ignorance and roots that path from racial divide to faith-inspired reconciliation in the person and work of Jesus Christ for all. If you dare to engage this study you will find yourself vulnerable to the truth and Grace of God in Jesus. And, in Christ, as you listen, as you empathize, as you share. . . His ‘bridge-building will’ gets done and that’s the solution that we all need. Study hard, you’ll be blessed if you do!”
—Dr. Gregory P. Seltz, Speaker, the Lutheran Hour

“Racial issues are always with us in the United States. Government and social agencies have been working for decades to bring about true healing, justice and peace. And while, thanks be to God, there’s been some progress, overall those efforts are far from successful. The only place this fallen world can find true healing, justice and peace is God’s Word: the wisdom of the cross and all that comes with it. Rev. Keith Haney’s Bible study takes us through many applicable Scriptures, and that is what we all need for the healing we so deeply need in this country. I gladly endorse One Nation Under God.”
—Rev. Dan P. Gilbert, President, Northern Illinois District

“Grounded in the Word of God and utilizing Law and Gospel, Pastor Haney’s timely study of some of the racial tensions in the United States of America facilitates a thoughtful and needed conversation about the overtly sinful thoughts, racially-driven assumptions and divisive behaviors that destroy community, and the radical, reconciling love of Christ Jesus who not only models the restoration of communities but who works the very forgiveness, life, and salvation that nurture the true promise and fuel the lasting hope that are  quintessential to the Church’s cruciform identity as a reconciling agent in the world.”
—The Rev. Dien Ashley Taylor, Ph.D.; Pastor, Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Bronx, New York; First Vice-President, LCMS Atlantic District

“Pastor Keith Haney has a message. It is a message that some may not want to hear but need to hear. In this study, One Nation under God. Healing Racial Divides in America, he calls all to consider carefully the reasons behind the societal conflicts that devastate some communities and confound other communities.

The uniqueness of Pastor Haney’s approach is that he tackles sensitive and difficult issues that arise from within the fallen human heart. The final answers are not political and regulatory but repentance and renewal on both sides of that racial divide. Change in our culture can occur only when we confront our own sinfulness as exposed by the Word of God and live in the gift of forgiveness won for fallen humanity in the Cross and Resurrection. May this contribution to the Church’s direct us precisely to this truth and may the Church lead the way in becoming One Nation under God.”
—The Rev. Daniel L. Gard, Ph.D., President, Concordia University Chicago

“Pastor Haney has offered the church an honest, heart-felt, and deeply personal study that touches on some of our most tightly held prejudices and divisions. The study is dangerous and risky. It will demand open and honest conversation. Participants will be asked to listen and process information from another’s point of view. The study will likely make a predominately white-Missouri synod feel discomfort as we talk about prejudice, discrimination, hatred, diversity, and divisions. So be it.

Pastor Haney has the right diagnosis despite skin color. The devil, the world, and our own sinful nature are constantly battling against us. More importantly, this study unfolds our true identify in Christ. Those baptized into Christ, white and black, all come as foreigners, adopted children, grafted as outsiders into the very body of Christ. A new identity that allows us to boldly love and serve our neighbor, no matter their color.”
—Rev. Bart Day, Executive Director of National Mission for the LCMS

About the Author

Rev. B. Keith Haney is Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care, and Stewardship in Iowa District West. He has been an ordained pastor for 27 years, and has serving multi-ethnic urban congregations in Detroit, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. He is the author of numerous devotionals, including One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America. He is married to Miriam (Bickel) Haney and they have six children and one grandchild. He is also the author of the blog, The Light Breaks Through, where he writes on his study of God's Word.