False Peace: How to Reject the Lie of Sameness, Embrace Difference, and Embody True Unity

Too often, what we call peace is really just avoidance of difficult topics and real differences. A pastor shows that uniformity doesn't equal unity and calls Christians to a courageous, God-shaped unity that celebrates our differences and deepens our faith. "To be different is beautiful. To be one is necessary. To be both is the gospel. Pricelis is showing us the way." Too often, what we call "peace" in our churches and communities is really just shallow unity--while below the surface, division is growing. But what if true Christian unity embraces differences instead of erasing them? In False Peace, Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez helps us recognize shallow approaches to unity that are rooted in colonialism and comfort. Through her pastoral wisdom, you will learn to reject surface-level uniformity, embrace courageous conversations, and build diverse communities of resilient love. Because unity doesn't erase difference or dismiss theology--it's transformed by them. "Surely, we must know or can at least imagine the difference between true and false peace. The false version wears unity's clothes without the power and authenticity to walk upright. Pricelis exposes the ways sameness has been mistaken for oneness. To be different is beautiful. To be one is necessary. To be both is the gospel. Pricelis is showing us the way." -- Jackie Hill Perry, author, Bible teacher, and artist "Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously called believers to renounce 'cheap grace,' which seeks forgiveness without discipleship. Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez presents a similarly bold imperative for the church today to reject cheap forms of peacemaking and unity that are superficial and showy. Instead, real peace--gospel peace--is costly and hard-won. Perreaux-Dominguez brings to the conversation the maturity of an experienced pastor, the boldness of a prophet, the liturgy of a poet, and the practical questions and next steps of a community leader. This book gives me fresh hope for gospel unity in a viciously divided world."-- Nijay K. Gupta, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary; author of Strange Religion "There's plenty here to instruct and inspire pastors and church study groups."-- Publishers Weekly Too often, what we call "peace" in our churches and communities is really just shallow unity--while below the surface, division is growing.But what if true Christian unity embraces differences instead of erasing them? In False Peace, Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez helps us recognize shallow approaches to unity that are rooted in colonialism and comfort. Through her pastoral wisdom, you'll learn to ● reject the surface-level uniformity that has crept into Christian culture, ● embrace courageous conversations that reflects God's heart, and ● build diverse communities of resilient love. Because unity doesn't erase difference or dismiss theology--it's transformed by them. If we want to radically transform the church and our witness in a fractured world, we must celebrate God's beautiful design to create a people centered on oneness rather than sameness. Whether you're a weary believer, a bridge-builder, or a church leader seeking change, False Peace shows you that we can actually be unified; in fact, we ought to be. It includes a foreword by Phylicia Masonheimer and discussion questions and prayers at the end of each chapter.