I’m delighted to tell you about a recent book written by my friend Tom Tarrants. It’s Consumed by Hate: Redeemed by Love – How a Violent Klansman Became a Champion of Racial Reconciliation and it’s well worth your reading time and energy.
Tom and I have served together at The C. S. Lewis Institute for over five years and we regularly marvel at our unlikely friendship (often while enjoying corned beef sandwiches at our favorite deli). I have said many times (and I do not think I’m overstating), “Tom is the kind of guy that I grew up hating. And I’m the kind of guy that Tom grew up wanting to kill.”
He was an anti-semitic Klansman from Mississippi and I was an unsaved angry Jew from New York. Only through the gospel can he and I call each other brothers and dear friends.
If you want a taste of Tom’s story, see this short testimony on Christianity Today’s website. But please don’t just settle for the taste. Go for the whole meal and read the book. In addition to Tom’s recounting of his amazing story of God’s mercy and saving grace, he wisely explores disturbing signs he sees in today’s racially charged culture that must be addressed thoughtfully and carefully.
This book may also serve as an evangelistic tool for people on both sides of our polarized political divide. I hope to give away a lot of copies.
