Review: "Where Are All the Brothers?"

I heard Rev. Eric C. Redman preach at a conference recently and mention was made of his book, Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men’s Questions About the Church. The one thing that is not obvious from the book’s title is that it is directed specifically to African-American men. (Pastor Redman expressed his passion to get African-American men back into the Church.)

The book, at just over a hundred pages, is written in a conversational tone and is a quick read. Redman addresses nine objections to being involved with the Church, including, “Isn’t the Church Full of Hypocrites?”, “Isn’t the Church Geared Toward Women?”, and “Aren’t Some Churches Just After Your Money?” Each one is addressed, some better than others, and reasons are given to dispel the myth and encourage African-American men to become a part of the Church.

I found the chapter on Islam weak, but that may just be because I am not African-American and have not ever been attracted to Islam. Redman argues for the Church based on the influence of African-American men, especially in the Patristic Age.

There are two appendices – one on New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and one on the issue of practicing homosexuals Among African-American men (this could really have been a tenth chapter, rather than an appendix.)

The book, overall, is strong and passionate, biblical and Reformed. The one caveat is something I hope will be edited in a future edition of the book: on page 75, Redman writes, “After living a perfect life, Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for all people and their sins” (emphasis mine). Of course, this is neither biblical, nor Reformed. If Jesus died as a Substitute for the sins of all people, then all people must necessarily be saved. I am hopeful that this was a slip of Redman’s passion, as it did not seem to be the doctrine that he was preaching; Jesus died as a Substitute for the sins of all those who will believe in Him – no more, nor less. The Atonement is Particular, or in the older texts, “Limited.”

That being said, I believe this book can be a very helpful evangelistic tool to bring African-American men (especially) into the Church, and I hope it will be widely used to the glory of God.