The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at its Best

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at its Best

Author:

Irwin L. Ince, Jr.

Publisher:

InterVarsity Press

https://www.ivpress.com

Publication Date:

August 4, 2020

Format:

Paperback

Length:

176 pages

OVERVIEW

What if dealing with racism in the church isn’t just about scoring brownie points with one political group or another? What if there was a Biblically-based vision for cultivating churches where people of different ethnicities, races and nationalities could work together? Irwin Ince, Jr. argues that vision is actually central to how the Bible portrays the church. He guides readers through Biblical views on beauty, dignity and community, arguing for “Cosmic Redemption Christianity” that combines social justice with a desire to see souls saved.

Ince does a terrific job of combining abstract ideas with personal stories that make those ideas feel real. In one hand he gives a great exploration of Scripture, showing how a correct view of beauty and God’s desire for reconciliation leads to a desire to overcome racial bias. In a second hand, he relates stories about people who’ve struggled to feel loved in churches, showing why overcoming racial bias is so important and how doing so creates better churches.

An inspiring, compelling vision for a church where every tribe and tongue can come together.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians seeking to cultivate multiracial and multicultural congregations.

Christian Impact

Ince’s words will convict Christians who haven’t considered their racial or cultural biases, and help them to build new connections as they pursue healthier church cultures.