I love gathering with family and friends to enjoy grilled hot dogs, burgers, and smoked ribs and to watch fireworks on the 4th of July while listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (and smooth Jazz). It’s also a pretty cool perk to be in Los Angeles, where you can do...
Today is the 60th anniversary of Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. Dr. King had been arrested in Birmingham during a non-violent protest against the segregation of the Jim Crow South. A few things stand out about the letter as we read it today. The first is how...
How long, Oh Lord? Racial tragedy comes with the familiar pit-in-the-stomach feeling of, “not again.” We hate that a kit like this is necessary. Until our Lord returns we expect bad things to happen. To help us lament and pray, we have compiled a list of resources...
In Church as it is in Heaven? It was only several years ago that I had no answer for a question I was often asked: “What should I read on race and ethnic unity in the church?” It wasn’t that there were not good books on race and racism. There were plenty. But many...
Alicia Akins has been a friend of United? We Pray for years now. I cannot remember how we first met, but she has been writing for us on and off since 2020. I remember right away appreciating her keen insight, both about herself and those around her. She brings those...
UWP AIMS TO BE: BIBLICAL in what we write and pray. While UWP intends to happily and critically engage with, and learn from, other resources, the Bible is our foundation. We want to build our faith and practice from the Bible up. Please pray for us, that this would...
Growing up as a black man in rural America, I had the joy and privilege of attending predominantly black churches in my community. My earliest memories of church life involve going to First Baptist to hear Doc Smith and Rev Gentry lead prayer meetings and Bible...
This is the arresting and dominant fact about modern social discussion; that the quarrel is not merely about the difficulties, but about the aim. We agree about the evil; it is about the good that we should tear each other’s eyes out. – G.K. Chesterton, 1910 Over 113...
Chrys Jones shares five encouragement from Dr. Jarvis Williams new book Redemptive Kingdom Diversity: A Biblical Theology of the People of God
Rayshawn Graves explores the effects of sin, from culpability to corruption, and shows how we need to acknowledge and repudiate the sins of our ancestors even if we’re not morally culpable for them.
Episode Overview: Dr. Thomas Kidd stopped by to talk with Austin about his new book Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh. How we process complex historical figures is something we’ve discussed at some length here at...
Chrys Jones reflects on a recent trip to Birmingham’s Civil Rights Museum in light of the recent Dobbs decision by the supreme court.
You’ve heard, and maybe asked, it before—the common ice-breaker: “If you could choose any career besides the one you already have, what would it be?” I love being a pastor and wouldn’t actually change it for anything, but the answers from folks are intriguing. There’s...
Dr. Derwin Gray is pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina (just outside of Charlotte). He joins Austin to discuss his new book How To Heal Our Racial Divide (Tyndale, 2022). Austin thinks this book is the most complete offering for Christians...
Episode Overview: Bonus episode! Originally recorded as a promotional benefit for anyone who preordered, here is a conversation between Isaac and Austin about Isaac’s new book. We talk about why he wrote this book, his heart behind it, and hopes for it. We covet your...