This book is a delicate hard-hitting manual that reads like a devotional. Redmond is obviously well acquainted with his audience (African American men) and the issues they have with the Church “scene.” His no-nonsense patient confrontation depicts not only his knowledge of the subjects he deals with, but also demonstrates his pastoral experience.

Where Are All the Brothers? seeks to answer the frequently asked questions regarding the absence of African American men from one of the core institutions of the community, the Church. Redmond deals with what many would simply call excuses, but in fact many of them are legitimate and accurate. Redmond’s interactions are provocative for he is not satisfied with the traditional pithy responses or with playing the blame game. He handles each issue honestly, forthrightly, and best of all, he pulls no punches. He simply asks the reader to give him ten minutes a day for nine days, which amounts to the approximate time it would take the average reader to get through each chapter of the book. Each day’s reading is a response to a question that many—not just African American—men would like to ask regarding Church. Redmond’s candid and well informed answers bring the reader eagerly back to the book for the next day’s personal Q and A. The reader soon discovers in Redmond a respectful, truthful, and straightforward practitioner who has an apparent gift for delving into the tough stuff with the ease of one who has spent a lot of time thinking through these challenges.

Redmond obviously spent a considerable amount of time choosing the nine questions to which he would respond. The questions cover a large spectrum of issues regarding hypocrisy, authorship of the Bible, feminization of the Church, money matters, Islam’s supposed better offer for black men, the deity of Christ, the role and character of the preacher, and the necessity of “organized religion.” Where Are All The Brothers? is not nor does it claim to be an exhaustive treatment of every concern that men in general and black men in particular have with the Church, but there is certainly enough in it to get a very long and much needed conversation started. For example, on Day 3, Redmond responds to this question: “Isn’t the Church geared toward women?” This is indeed a major dilemma facing the Church in general and the Black Church in particular. Redmond’s thoughtful response will be referred to for years to come. He first of all admits the truthfulness of such an assessment and says that the questioner has put his finger on “something true, real, and skewed.” Then, like the theologian he is, he demonstrates with reference upon reference the priority the Bible places on the building up of strong male leadership in the home and in the Church. This chapter alone is worth the cost of the book.

The book closes with two appendices. In the first appendix, Redmond gives a summary of New Testament fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ. Here again we see the knowledge the author has of his readers. Appendix A is his final call for an acceptance of the veracity of Scripture. Redmond demonstrates that the core of every question asked is the reliability of the Bible to answer such questions as the final authority. Appendix B is a lucid treatment of the subject of homosexuality and the Church. In it Redmond sets the record straight on many fronts. He has, to put it mildly, “let the cat out of the bag” regarding homosexuality, the African American community, and Church. Although the subject is delicate in some circles, Redmond handles it with the precision of an experienced physician of the soul. He is not going to let the culture get away with treating homosexuality like something other than sin, nor will he allow the culture to dictate to the Church her position. “Those with homosexual behavior may be received into the Church after a profession of Christ that is accompanied by a complete break-repentance from a lifestyle of homosexuality,” says Redmond. The Church has standards for membership that cannot be shaped by the standards of popular culture. The Church is not responsible for setting her own rules; the one true God makes the rules and sets the standards. From the outset of the book, the author begins earning the right and respect of his readers, which allows him to end with such a bold statement.

Overall, I am grateful to the Lord for Redmond, Where Are All the Brothers?, and Crossway Books. It is quite refreshing to pick up a book written by an African American pastor who holds to the truths of biblical historic Christianity, displays such adherence in his writing, and can authentically speak to some of the clear and present dilemmas that affect the witness of the Black Church and indeed the Church of Christ at large. Redmond in one small volume has given us such evangelistic wisdom and instruction that we can now go forth and indeed be as wise as serpents, but as gentle as doves.

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