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A review by lindsey_werner
When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity by Grace Ji-Sun Kim
4.0
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.