Review of Glory Road by Doug Logan of Epiphany Fellowship
Glory Road
The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity
Edited by Anthony J. Carter
Crossway Publishing - 175 Pages
Pastor Douglas Logan is an Urban Ministries student @ WTS and a Teaching Elder in the PCA. He is currently serving at Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. Doug was kind enough to review Glory Road for us:
In the eyes of most Anglo-American Christians, being a member of a Reformed Church is simply a normal part of their lives. For these 10 African-American pastors, their multi-faceted, multi-dimensional journey touches and inspires people in an intimate and intellectual way. I heard an old adage all the time growing up in the church, “They see the Glory, but they don’t know the story!” Well, for these authors I see God’s glory, through their stories. As an African-American church planter (Teaching Elder PCA), in an inter-racial marriage, these stories encourage my faith as I, in a very personal way, relate to each story.
Glory Road exposes the loneliness and minimal access that African Americans can experience on the journey of seeking to learn more deeply the truths of Scripture. I found myself being captured and captivated by the stories as I unconsciously injected myself into the narratives, while I also began to feel less lonely on my journey through the stories of the 10 pastors. The honesty and humor conveyed in each testimony is all interwoven into the serious reality of multiple obstacles that are common for African-American’s to experience on their Christian journey.
This snapshot into the heart of these awesome pastors gives us not only their journey to reformed theology, but also an awesome picture of the providence of God working in these men — indelibly leaving national and global implications. I believe that it is a must read for white-reformed ministry leaders, and non-reformed African Americans. I’m confident that over time this book will prove to be a tool for racial and denominational reconciliation as it shows the power of the Gospel at work through the ministry of reconciliation.
The writing style was genuine, detailed, and clear. The narrative for each chapter flowed like a person skillfully and experientially putting together a 2000 piece puzzle, allowing us to view, with great joy, the finished product — Christ in their lives. Carter provides an intelligent platform for Caucasians (predominant proponents of Reformed theology) who have wondered why there aren’t more African Americans working, attending, and serving in reformed seminaries, churches, and institutions.
Glory Road demonstrates that spiritual formation often takes place through many trials. And through these multiple life-challenges on the journey, God is faithful to prepare and preserve us as we journey.
Glory Road has wonderfully demonstrated through the eyes of 10 African–American men that reformed theology (God’s sovereign administration of grace) is not the “white-man’s” theology or even exclusively Presbyterian. But rather, it is the most consistent expression of orthodox Christianity. The Book is thoughtful and packed with intellectual integrity, and it is written with deep passion for those who truly want to know about the African-American Reformed experience.
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