Overview

Fire in the Whole explores the anger of Black Christians who feel betrayed by white Christianity’s complicity of perpetuating racism. In this transformative work, author Robert Callahan not only empathizes with this pain, giving words to strong and powerful emotions, but also provides guidance for healing church-related wounds. How can all Christians claim to love and serve the same God and yet see and act in the world so differently? Texas attorney and writer Robert Callahan makes the case that White American Christians have failed to embody both their civic commitment to liberty and justice for all and their biblical call to love every neighbor as Christ loves us. In Fire in the Whole, Callahan explores the poignant journey of Christians who grapple with their sense of belonging within a faith tainted by toxic political ideologies—seeking healing for their souls. Boldly questioning the authenticity of individuals within the white Christian community who adhere to Christian nationalism or claim color-blind ignorance of racial injustice through cultural conflicts, this book navigates the complex modern Christian landscape, illuminating deep-rooted racial and religious rifts exacerbated by recent political figures and toxic theology. Through compelling storytelling and analysis, Callahan provides meticulous research and heartfelt insights, drawing a roadmap for healing. Whether you are a Christian minority who is hurt and angry, a progressive White ally seeking understanding of what went wrong, or a conservative White Christian willing to engage in constructive dialogue to rebuild a fractured community, this book is a powerful guide to navigating the flames of righteous anger and emerging whole again.

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""Robert G. Callahan, II, blends personal testimony, prophetic insight, and legal acumen to offer a compelling read for all who yearn for justice and righteousness in the here and now. Fire in the Whole not only exposes the racism and willful hypocrisy within white American Christianity but also presents an honest and liberating pathway toward a better and more faithful Christian witness in the United States."" - William Yoo, Associate Professor of American Religious and Cultural History, Columbia Theological Seminary, and author of What Kind of Christianity? A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church ""I remember the first time I heard the term white Christianity. It jarred me. And yet it convicted me. Naming it helped me see it. Fire in the Whole exposes the narratives that we feel comfortable telling ourselves to continue enjoying our comforts and faux securities. I lament the ways I've been complicit: maybe not in my intention but certainly in the cruel and dehumanizing impact. Callahan frees us from the counterfeit, names what needs to be named, guides the reader through necessary emotions, and points to our true hope. I am so thankful to bear witness to the harm named and to learn from this book. I hope it is read widely in the church."" - Aimee Byrd, author of The Hope in Our Scars: Finding the Bride of Christ in the Underground of Disillusionment and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: How the Church Needs to Rediscover Her Purpose ""Fire in the Whole is a wonderfully crafted work that lays out Callahan's case for white Christianity to reconcile with Christ and stop its spiritual abuse against the Black and Brown bodies that continue to worship within the world of white Christianity. If not, more breakups will continue until its entire system is burnt to the ground!"" - Angela N. Parker, Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, and author of If God Still Breathes, Why Can't I? Black Lives Matter and Biblical Authority ""Callahan has created an important glimpse into the real impact that Christian nationalism has on real people--impact that white people often choose to ignore. But reading this challenging tome makes it impossible to look away, and for those of us white folx who really care, it is both a clarion call to action and also a strange sort of balm for our grieving souls to know that our rage, sense of bewilderment, and betrayal at what our beloved church is doing is not just valid--it's holy. If you've ever stood in your church, looked around, and wondered 'What the h*** is happening?' then this book is for you. If you haven't yet had that experience, this book is especially for you. Let the fires of our anger be stoked with Callahan's words and, in response, let us burn it all down and imagine something new--something outside the chains of white pseudosupremacy and something more like Beloved Community. And let this book guide the way."" - Kerry Connelly, author of Good White Racist? Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice and Wait--Is This Racist? A Guide to Becoming an Anti-Racist Church ""Traversing the scar tissue of white Christianity, Callahan offers clear-eyed permission to accept no less than God's perfect dream. Validating, hopeful, and loaded with wit, this is a book that heals."" - Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello (and Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors) and The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God's Goodness Around You

Author Information

Robert G. Callahan, II is a prolific writer and accomplished attorney, dedicated to his practice at Callahan & King in the heart of Waco, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gonzaga University and a Juris Doctorate at Baylor University School of Law, where he now serves as adjunct professor of Integrating Faith and Legal Practice. In 2020, Callahan was named Lawyer of the Year by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association. With an undeniable talent for blending humor and insight, he takes the spotlight in the arena’s three-ring circus of law, race, and religion.

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