Jesus and Justice: Why We Must Love Our Neighbors in Word and Deed
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Though the broader secular culture often talks about justice in terms of politics and social policy, Jesus talks about addressing the hurts of victims and the marginalized as an expression of love. In this conversation, Jason Cook, Kevin DeYoung, Phillip Holmes, and Darryl Williamson explored the biblical and gospel roots of how loving our culturally, economically, and ethnically marginalized neighbors is basic to what it means to love like Jesus. They also emphasized what churches and individual Christians can do to pursue restorative justice in a way that flows from the gospel. The discussion also considered objections made against Christians who perceive that concerns about social injustice distract from our calling to proclaim the gospel, fleshing out the relationship between the gospel and justice.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
While I appreciate the honest dialogue about this subject (in terms of sincerity), I am still troubled by the underlying problem the way this issue of justice is addressed. I believe it is the same issue many Christians have had that led to the Social Justice Statement (which I actually signed). Here is the problem in a nutshell; it is vague. As long as there are no specifics, there can be no solution. For instance, there was a lot said about "systemic racism," "criminal justice system," "the problem with the government," "helping the poor," "racial oppression," "400 years of injustice," and people being "enslaved and captured by the system." And the use of Matthew 25:31-44, James 2:18-26, and the parable of the Good Samaritan is fine, but these applications can be used of individual Christians in specific examples. Here is the problem with some of the assertions made:
If racism is systemic, then specifically name the system. Is it the government? Is it the churches? Is it schools and jobs? What is this system and who is running it in agreement to be racist towards anyone? Who are the specific people we know have said or done something racist that we can point a finger to so we can address that sin specifically. If someone is racially oppressed, then who is the specific oppressor that we can address it. Who are the specific oppressors of the poor or needy? In Micah 2, the charge was specific and the prophet called them out. Who are we to call out specifically? And what is counted as injustice? Anyone African-American or poor by default? Does every single circumstance in their lives put them in a victim status where they are oppressed and someone is the oppressor? Then we need specific oppressors mentioned so it can be addressed. This vague language makes it easy to take a serious problem and make a broad, general narrative, then assert the church isn't doing enough (which is actually illogical since no one knows what every church in this country does), but have no specific answers. And what answers are we to derive from this vagueness? Are we to protest the government? Take all of our church resources and clean up neighborhoods? Tweet against whatever politician we don't like? I think Kevin DeYoung was trying to bring clarity a bit, but I think the vagueness of the assertions is what some Christians have a problem with.
Biblically speaking, here are issues I have. First, racism and injustice in the unsaved world is due to sin and the fact that the unsaved run after a system according to Satan (Romans 3:10-18, Ephesians 2:1-3). Sinful people are going to sin unless they get saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), which is why the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Christian helps and mercy isn't the gospel,, it is the offshoot of the Christian life. It can assist the unsaved person, but only the gospel will change their hearts.
Second, to subtly accuse the church of not doing enough shows a blindness about what the church is about. Ephesians 4:11-16 is a great barometer of what is happening in the body of Christ. You do that first, then your Christian walk will show the good works found in James 2:18-26. Third, the unity of the church is not based on our culture or background (we don't discard it at all, but it is not the main thing), it is based on our position in Christ. Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11 makes that clear. If we have division in the church over race, culture, and social status, what we do is cause divisions in the body that is not there. The Spirit of God and His Word can sanctify any Christian to repent of prejudicial thoughts and actions (1 John 1:9 shows they confess their sins to be forgiven and cleansed) and anyone holding unforgiveness against anyone who has been the source of racism or prejudice can be led to forgiveness because they've been forgiven by Christ. In fact, Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:12-13 tells believers to forgive one another in the church. As for the unsaved world, they need salvation in Christ or anything we do will just be a band aid on the problem. There's so much more that can be said, but the bottom line, there are ways in the church to handle these issues, but I don't think we're handling them Biblically all the time. I commented on these issues months ago; you can hear it here: ruclips.net/video/IfU7D0C_53k/видео.html
Hey brother, I'm not sure how effective asking numerous questions back to back will be on a platform like this. However, I am sure we can converse in christian love, though. I advertise a look into the history of the American Church and slavery in specific and race in general. Have a look at "The Color of Compromise" Jemar Tisby, "Stamped from the Beginning" by Ibram X Kendi, and "For a Continuing Church" Sean Michael Lucas. They address some of your questions directly, Dr Lucas specifically in chapter 5 "Red and Yellow, Black and White”: Southern Presbyterian
Conservatives and the Crises of Postwar America". These are good resources for getting a broad and detailed look at how we got to our 2019 racial status.
I think it an appt general observation that the American Churches are segregated along racial lines even within a demonination. We pray "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" Matt 6:10. Consider how Rev 7:9 describe His will manifesting in heaven? "... behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands". This is not an appt description of the American Church on a whole. Things get bury when we are too inclusive with that word "Church" but still. At the very least this means their is work to do. Eph 2:15 says, " For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,...so that [Jesus] might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, " That is Gospel language. So unity is a gospel issue yes? One thing we can do is acknowledge the disunity in our own respective denominations and treat that disunity as the gospel issue it is. Step one, address it from the pulpit in my opinon.
You mentioned the vaugness of this charge. I agree, part of the vaugness is thanks to vauge target. it is hard to address something we don't agree exist. There was a tacit approval in the White Christian Majority to racist doctrines and ideologies in the last 100 years (and before that of course but lets leave that for now). Rarely were this views printed and discussed at length. Rather they were most strongly felt and implied by segregationist policies, church by laws and traditions, and masked in policital retoric. So today when addressing the "specific sins" of the white chrisitan majority it is difficult to do so without recordings, articles, quotes, etc. It's not like slavery days where one could simply present their inventory that included people. So I found these for you, look into "A Christian View On Segregation" by G. T. Gillespie, in the Southern Pres Journal (Nov 1954), "Race Relations- Whither?" by Nelson Bell, SPJ (March 1944), and "Non-Segregation Means Eventual Inter-Marriage" by J. David Simpson" SPJ (not sure). This should help nail down where these impressions of white supremist, segregationist, Kinist idelologies come from. These are all Prebyterian examples but i think we can agree racism in the church at large was not a strictly Presbyterian issue.
Now brother, you are faced with a choice. You can ignore the above references, write me off as an internet troll simply looking to agrue and trigger you. Your other option is to look into them anyway. See where those of us that consider ourselves racial reconcilation advocates are coming from. I know this isn't answering 1/2 the questions you posted but probably a lot of them you weren't really expecting answers to anyway right? I know with these many voice shouting out too many will be just for the conflict but some of us, the over looked minority perhaps, are here because we see Rev 7:9 as a potential reality. We know that this can't happen in a real way until we lower our defenses, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Direct message me and we can share contact info if you want to talk privately. I suspect we will meet one day, in this life or the next regardless. God bless and Maranatha.
@@phillthomas7368 I appreciate that you took the time to write such a long post, however it would take too long to extensively address everything you wrote; therefore I can only briefly speak on the things you wrote. I will take it a paragraph at a time.
First, I am fairly sure how we got to our racial status in and out of the church. It is sin (Romans 3:10-18, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 John 3:4, etc.). Sin outside of the church because we're dealing with unbelievers. Sin inside the church because even Christians sin in their sanctification. The problem I have with the book by Tisby and some of the others is not the history behind it, but the unforgiveness that Tisby and others have. Christians who are African-American look at anyone Caucasian and think they have undercover racism to repent of today because of the past. This flies in the face of Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:12-13. It is fine to address specific sins (particularly racism), but show me specific racism in a church by a member or pastor, not perceived because of inequity going on today. It's fine to see how we got here, but do these authors believe Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11 is the key to the answer or just consistent guilting of Caucasians in the church so they can keep repenting over and over again until they're satisfied (which, at this point, is never enough).
Second, not all separation is due to racism. In a primary neighborhood or culture you'll find churches with members that look like that culture. Where I live, there are churches where the majority of members are African-American because that is the make up of the neighborhood or culture. When Caucasians go to a church closer to their neighborhood, then it may look exactly the same. That's not racism, but sometimes just a convenience. This doesn't negate unity because others should be able to come to one another churches united in Christ. Denominations is a whole other situation which is addressed in 1 Corinthians 1:12-13. So there are multiple reasons why some churches are the way they are. No one is negating that racism is one of them, but there's this underlying thought that racism is the main reason. That is presupposing sin upon American churches in such a broad, vague way.
Third, to say some of the vagueness is from the fact that no one agrees there is a problem is a false narrative. The problem isn't that Christians don't agree, the problem is we don't agree how to address it. Tisby said in a tweet or post not to go to John MacArthur's conferences because he wasn't on board with his way of handling the justice problem. Thabiti posted on the Gospel Coalition that "white" brethren were part of the problem and need to repent. Their solutions only slapped Bible verses on their philosophies. This violates Proverbs 3:5 and Colossians 2:8. The problem of justice and racism must be handled by the whole counsel of God, not just the verses that we think line up with what unsaved people would say (which does have its roots in socialism).
Finally, your assumption that I will ignore your references, write you off as a troll, or argue shows a presupposition on your part that this isn't a concern. And have you checked out the Biblical concerns on the other side or have you written them off as Christians that aren't concerned about racism or social justice because we don't follow the Tisby's and Thabiti's way of thinking? As a 60 year old African-American, who was unsaved for 40 years and faced racism myself, I have experienced it and no the history of it. What I don't know, I have looked up. But at the end of the day, the Bible is our God-breathed sufficient source for all things according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. So if I have time, perhaps we can discuss it, but if you think (like many that are advocating this) that racism or justice is just a thing Christians are overlooking if they don't bang the gong the way others have, then it is difficult to discuss it. You see, scripture is my foundation for my life; therefore if a problem isn't specific (show me who is doing it in the church specifically) and the solution isn't Biblical (the gospel to the lost, church discipline to the offenders in the church, and knowing the purpose of the church is laid out in Ephesians 4:11-16 among other verses), then I am cautious because unbiblical solutions lead to unbiblical actions. Thank you for taking the time to write me and read this as well. May you serve the Lord Jesus Christ with gladness.
@@2timothy23
African-American look at anyone Caucasian and think they have undercover racism to repent of today because of the past.
I think I see where you are coming from. I don’t know if I’d word it that way, but I agree. I think we all have racist thoughts. We have perverted, wrathful, murderous, thoughts as well. Racism is “the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.” We all have racist thoughts and impressions we need to repent of. However, some of us have more power and resources that can be impacted by those thoughts and impressions. That matters. Still, you’re right most People of Color assume white folks harbor racist thoughts, historically they have so it not too farfetched and so do we if we are honest. We shouldn’t be more afraid of being called racist, than actually being racist.
“…show me specific racism in a church by a member or pastor, not perceived because of inequity going on today.”
Specific racism isn’t as prevalent today, not on this interpersonal scale. It is more like a school policy forbidding dreadlocks, or the Spanish kid hearing immigration jokes in Sunday school. The more impactful are the systematic things you asked about. Systemic isn’t referring to a single system you can point out, rather multiple authorities reinforcing a singular view so that that view is “systematically” enforced. Like Jim Crow, the Banker didn’t meet with the restaurant owner and say “I will not approve his business loan”, “and I will not serve him in my diner.” They both just silent agree that blacks aren’t welcome, therefore their and everyone else’s unified rejection creates a “system” indirect yet coordinated. I know, one might say “you are crying about hair styles and children’s jokes?” You’d be right if the standard is worldly kindness. Sticks and stones. But we know the standard is holiness, that means kids learning to be ashamed of their hair, skin, or accent is being ashamed of God’s image, beautifully and wonderfully made. That’s it for now.
There was about 10 minutes in there where we actually broke through the "social justice" rhetoric and actually addressed some issues. I wish we could take on the issues people are talking about when they are discussing this rather than making sure everyone is lock step in their ideologies.
Great discussion on who is my neighbor & how to care for them. It’s amazing to see the privilege in criticizing & voting for policies that don’t directly affect you. We’re still seeing this disconnect in how we care for neighbor b/c of the lack of proximity & understanding as well as narratives that may justify a law or policies that aren’t helpful being Biblical. Some immigration policies may be “Biblical” but when there is an intentional agenda to cause disruption b/c of ethnicity & false narratives that suggest these people may be criminals, stealing opportunities, etc. you are then silent or ignorant to the agenda of systemic racism that this country strives on. You can say the same with education equity, criminal justice reform, pro-life, etc. Just b/c a law is neutral in scripture, not sin yet not helpful, doesn’t address that there may be an agenda that is benefiting a people group, a lot of cases the wealthy and/or white folks. So although we can’t individually speak out & work towards every social injustice, the church needs to be aware of not only who our neighbor is, & how we can personally help, but examining the different privileges we may or may not have & WHY. American law is not the authoritative word of God. If we read American laws & policies without examining the full context, meaning understanding history, the lawmakers themselves, the current culture, the consequences of breaking these laws, etc. then we may leave room for complicit neglect & harm towards our neighbors. A policy may be neutral in sin, but if the policy was written by a known racist who was backed by the KKK, I have to have eyes that see the privilege in who that benefits & the harm it may have done & is still doing. If the church in America wants to look like the church Jesus is calling us to be, it should look like more surrendering to His commands (love God, love people) & not looking for how Jesus’ commands fit America’s constitution.