Review Of Methodists And The Crucible Of Race By Peter Murray

In Methodists and the Crucible of Race Peter Murray offers a review of the historical race relations of the denomination that has been integral to my education and employment the past couple years. Murray’s chronicling explains the events that have caused the modern reality of a segregated denomination contrary to those who still proclaim Methodists as United. Methodists and the Crucible of Race reminds Methodists that while our denomination has made attempts for intercultural ministry, the church still remains guilty of sins of racial injustice throughout history. This insight allows Methodists to end their conformity to culture’s race barriers and attempt counter-cultural conversations of reconciliation and desegregation. In order

This anthology included recognizing Methodism as a socially inclusive Christian alternative to the more established denominations of Early America. The inclusive Gospel proclaimed by the Methodist spoke a hope to many African Americans and lower class citizens that was not often proclaimed in the Calvinist sermons of the other churches. Murray explains, “This change of heart opened the door to new life for Methodists, a life where economic class, gender, and race no longer defined them. Instead, many Methodists received a new identity based on God’s grace that freed them from all other claims.” However, as the religious movement grew and was forced to form religious guidelines for its ministers, many black candidates did not meet the requirements to become Methodist clergy. “The major schism between African American and white Methodists during the early nineteenth century occurred over ministerial rights, although segregation and paternalism were integrally involved.” This lead the congregations to begin a racial division fracturing the community of Methodists united in the

During times of national despair from wars and depressions brought greater tensions in race relations. However, some events such as the desegregation of baseball and the Women’s Division revealed that social reform could be around the corner. The verdict of Brown v. Board caused polarized responses from churches. Murray explains, “The Methodist Church found Brown particularly challenging since it had segregation written into its church constitution.” After over a century of holing culture as the authority of a Christian response to race, churches finally returned to Scripture to find the Lord’s commands for social justice. “The Brown decision placed southern segregationists in a new position because it forced them to better define their theological stance.” Sadly the church responding Brown once again revealed their subservience to culture and not necessarily a spiritual