April 2017
One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America is a new Bible study published by Concordia Publishing House and written by Rev. Keith Haney, who is on staff with the LCMS Northern Illinois District.
The acting out of racial tension often dominates the news and cannot escape attention. Less spoken are ways to solve it. Author Keith Haney draws the attention to Christ as the true source for healing, of individuals, schools, police departments, whole communities.
“I was not raised to hate my fellow man,” says Haney. “I believe deep in my heart that the church needs to preach hope. Only the light of Christ can heal this fractured land. My desire was to be a part of the solution.”
In the study, Haney reinforces the understanding that true healing takes time and intentional effort, because forgiveness is not something humans can do on their own. This requires God changing human hearts as people search through his Word.
Haney grew up in Louisiana. He has pastored multi-racial congregations in urban Detroit, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. He has served in this district, which encompasses greater Chicagoland, Aurora, and Rockford, for the past decade.
Through his speaking, writing and interactions across the Synod, he says he has seen a lack of resources bringing God’s Word and truth to the issue of racial divides. This six-session study is intended to trigger conversation, empathy and understanding in the church. That’s the beginning of healing through the power of God’s grace, Haney says.
The Bible study only is available for purchase at cph.org/HealingRacialDivides. An excerpt is available free for review before purchasing. To see what people are saying about it on Twitter go to #HealingRacialDivides.