You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
17 reviews for:
When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity
Grace Ji-Sun Kim
4.06 AVERAGE
17 reviews for:
When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity
Grace Ji-Sun Kim
4.06 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Not what I was expecting, but a solid read nonetheless.
I think this book may be slightly mis-marketed, as it presents itself as a historical and theological deep dive into when and how God came to be viewed as a white male in the western world (and beyond). However what I find is a memoir blended with a call to action. The author discusses her own experiences as a Korean immigrant to North America and the conservative christian upbringing that ensued, and makes many personal arguments as to why the image of a gendered and racialized God is harmful. We don't really get to see the history, evidence and research come through until the last few chapters when she brings together concepts of translation, etymology, and historical/colonial context to understand how we have gotten to this point of worshipping a white, male God.
This isn't a criticism of the book by any means as hearing her own experience as a Korean immigrant brings a lot of humanity to the text (and when she did bring in the evidence and research- wow was she thorough!). But I think understanding what kind of book this is before jumping into it will make for a more meaningful experience.
We are also left with a feeling of hope as an alternative viewpoint in liberation theology rooted in scripture is presented and we hear about people and churches working for a more just christianity into the future.
I think this book may be slightly mis-marketed, as it presents itself as a historical and theological deep dive into when and how God came to be viewed as a white male in the western world (and beyond). However what I find is a memoir blended with a call to action. The author discusses her own experiences as a Korean immigrant to North America and the conservative christian upbringing that ensued, and makes many personal arguments as to why the image of a gendered and racialized God is harmful. We don't really get to see the history, evidence and research come through until the last few chapters when she brings together concepts of translation, etymology, and historical/colonial context to understand how we have gotten to this point of worshipping a white, male God.
This isn't a criticism of the book by any means as hearing her own experience as a Korean immigrant brings a lot of humanity to the text (and when she did bring in the evidence and research- wow was she thorough!). But I think understanding what kind of book this is before jumping into it will make for a more meaningful experience.
We are also left with a feeling of hope as an alternative viewpoint in liberation theology rooted in scripture is presented and we hear about people and churches working for a more just christianity into the future.
informative
slow-paced
Pretty good, but I do think there are better books for this topic
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Religious bigotry, Colonisation
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I really appreciate Kim's unique perspective and background, especially within a discipline that so often is dominated by very status quo voices. I think I would have perhaps appreciated it more if Kim had gone into more specifics in church history between Early Christianity and the co-opting of Christianity by the Roman Empire power structure, but then again that may well be a bit beyond the scope that Kim was aiming for.
It is a little repetitive in places, but in this day in age where a lot of people don't close read the texts they claim to be central to their faith/belief system(s), some repetition is probably a necessary evil.
It is a little repetitive in places, but in this day in age where a lot of people don't close read the texts they claim to be central to their faith/belief system(s), some repetition is probably a necessary evil.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A call to action to deny the White God, and accept a Spirit God; empowering women and their role in life.
