Young Black & Reformed Part IV: Where I Find Myself Today
May 9, 2008 by lionelwoods7
I currently find myself in the middle of my own conversation. As I reread my own post I see that this issue is a bit more complicated than I first supposed. The last four years of my Christian life has been amazing for me in many ways. Being introduced to Piper, MacArthur, Sproul, Jones, Lewis, Carter, Azurdia and other great preachers has really transformed the way I look at the cross and my own life. There has been many bumps along the way but I can say the journey has been worth it and I would experience all of the failures, highs and lows all over again if I had to. The journey has been a blessing especially given my background. It is funny 5 years ago, I would never see myself holding this type of conversation but this journey has taken me somewhere I never thought. I thought I would be fighting for the corner office trying to make it to the top of a major corporation while pursuing my executive MBA but my convictions have slowly pushed me to invest in others along this very journey that I find myself on. So here is where I am……
1. Finding myself at the Cross
My identity starts at the cross and ends at the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. What I mean is this: yes I am black, yes I was raised in a specific demographic, yes there are certain cultural bents that I have, and yes the heaviest burden are for those with a similar background. However, who I am is a Christian. An Evangelical Christian (opposed to Orthodox or Roman Catholic) with a theological bent towards the teachings produced during the Reformation. So my identity is found in what Christ has done for me on the cross and I can never lose sight of that. Many have but I can’t and I won’t. Too much is riding on Biblical Fidelity and the sufficiency of Christ as proclaimed from those 66 books. So there are many men and women that I respect. But we will divide and I will side with those, regardless of race, who agree with the basic tenets of the Christian Faith. And if that is a European Christianity then I make no apologies for that. The truth of scripture takes precedent over any social or economical issue we may find ourselves facing. All life and I do mean ALL LIFE, hinges upon what God did in Christ.
2. I am Christian before I am black
Again, I am a Christian first. I wanted to reiterate this and expound upon it a bit. I have brothers and sisters from every race, nation and tongue (I still believe in races Pastor T LOL). I am more closely related with someone from India who has been regenerated than I am anyone who lives in my town and looks like me. My identity is in Christ first and foremost. I will not sacrifice this for anything. What Christ accomplished in His incarnation, death, and resurrection, gives me a new family in which was predestined before the foundation of the earth. Adam is my dad and Christ is my husband and in that I find peace with God.
This can never be spoken too often. Way too many Christians identify themselves as black, American, Irish, Korean and so forth and very rarely do we esteem our new found RACE which is REDEEMED! Once again Thabti’s message is an outstanding resource on this and so are many of Piper’s who speaks clearly and authoritatively on this very issue. If I find my identity (primarily) in anyone other than Christ, I minimize His work on the cross and disobey the direct command to “love your brother”. Yes we all bring cultural backgrounds to Christianity; however Christianity is the foundation of all our engagement with one another AND NEVER RACE! We are in sin if so.
3. I can’t allow the past or present to manipulate the high call of Christian unity
I think this becomes the most difficult task of my Christan life. It may not be as bad for others but for me it is rough. As I watch modern evangelicals outright ignore many of the evils that are going on across the U.S and around the world while concerning themselves with prayer in schools or worrying about little Johnny wearing a “trust Jesus” t-shirt and making it a matter of free speech I must not allow that to detour me from the high call of Christian unity. Here is what Paul says with great conviction:
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Every church in America should have these verses behind their pulpit big enough for everyone to read. Not only the hostility between Jew and Gentile but all hostility between all people who identify themselves as Christian have become one people and all of this was accomplished before the world was ever created. All racial disharmony started with Adam and all racial harmony beings with the Second Adam. So as I examine all of the social ills, and all of poverty, and I see those who look like me being subjected to vile socioeconomic conditions my first and foremost responsibility lies with those who have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb.
This is so difficult my friend. Many times I catch myself saying “my people” or calling someone black “sister or brother” while outright ignoring my obligation to my real brother and sister, and no I am not speaking blood relatives, but those who are “brought near” in Christ. As I revisit Jim Crow, Slavery, and as I look today, my Christian Filter best be hooked up properly, if not I can find myself identifying with a people group based of skin color and location. I do understand the propensity to do this but I must be active and conscience of not falling prey to doctrine of Cone, Wright, West and others. What they say sounds so true and gives my flesh a rush, but as I approach the scripture it contradicts such positions and the verse above not to mention some verses found in Galatians and Matthew outright contradict it.
4. In Closing
I must (we must) find a way to address these issues without becoming accusatory. We must must find away to address these issues without crossing the boundaries set forth in Ephesians 2. My brothers and sister are those who do the will of my Father as Jesus so clearly conveyed in Matthew 12. All of our relationships flow from this statement. Adam is our dad and Christ becomes our husband and now we can call God our Abba! All of Christ’s bride are our siblings and we must find a way to love them in spite of all of the things we may disagree with them on. Yep many ignore the social ills and focus on the Republican party (Jesus was not a Republican and still isn’t) and we must love them through it. Many are more concerned with safety than they are getting the message to the cross in impoverished areas but we must love them through it. Many identify with one race versus another but we must love them through it. Why? Because as Paul said “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us”
and then later on He says this which is the section of the bible that keeps me on my knees:
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Regardless of our quirkiness, bad habits, lack of concern for certain issues, and outright neglective behavior we are to bear with one another. How dare we easily and gladly accept Christ’s forbearance with us while we refuse to forbearing with others? My prayer is that daily I would be conscience of this because it is so easy to retreat to my subculture where people look, talk, walk, listen to the same music, and like the same food as me, while I forget to go to my Samaria. We each have a Samaria for most blacks it is our white sisters and brothers and for most whites vice versa. I pray that we would find ourselves in Christ redeemed and reconciled. God bless.
Lionel,
I just wanted to offer a word of encouragement. I am a black evangelical female who has long struggled with these same issues. I grew up straddilng two worlds attending both a predominately white southern baptist church and a predominately black baptist for most of my childhood. I recieved the call to full time ministry in the seventh grade. God led me to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS)in Wake Forest, NC. I will not deny that my time there was difficult. I experienced “culture shock” and many times thought about leaving. However, I truly believe that is where God wanted to be. He was truly gracious, sending brothers and sisters of a lighter hue who were willing to walk alongside me as I struggled. They made issues that were important to me, important to them, even when it seemed most did not care. I truly believe that if God has called you to walk this path. He will equip you and sustain you. I graduated in 2006 with an MA in Biblical Counseling and a passion for multi-ethnic churches and discipleship of the Body. God is on the move!
But we cannot ignore our racial and ethic differences as we belong to a new community. That is, in Christ. Even in this sphere, “In Christ,” we need to embrace and celebrate those differences unapologetically. The most confronting issue the Evangelical church today is our refusal and resistance to accept those who are not like us.
The most confronting issue in the Evangelical church today is our refusal and resistance to accept those who are not like us.
“But we will divide and I will side with those, regardless of race, who agree with the basic tenets of the Christian Faith. And if that is a European Christianity then I make no apologies for that.” “…I am Christian before I am Black…”. For reality sake, I hope you didn’t mean it as it sounds. WOW!
Chuck, how did you think it sounded?
Hey CJ,
I agree wholeheartedly. I think we are too quick to say “we don’t see race” while ignoring the blessing of multi-culturalism that God has blessed this world with. In America that gets swept away even more in Americanism which is actually Europeanism redefined. To be accepted you have to dress, talk, and walk a certain away and give off an hint of patriotism and that.
For those who may be democratic or for those who may not agree that the we should be in Iraq or for some who may focus more on poverty than abortion then all of sudden they are “liberals” and that is unfair.
Chuck,
I am talking about my convictions here as it relates to my theolgocial position. But if you are talking about the race issue let me restate it:
I AM CHRISTIAN BEFORE I AM BLACK, MY FIRST IDENTITY IS FOUND IN ADAM THE SECOND IN CHRIST (thus I am born again).
Just wanted all caps for the emphasis. Tell the wife I said happy Mothers day my friend. What a joy motherhood must be.
Hey TLC you said:
“However, I truly believe that is where God wanted to be. He was truly gracious, sending brothers and sisters of a lighter hue who were willing to walk alongside me as I struggled. They made issues that were important to me, important to them, even when it seemed most did not care. I truly believe that if God has called you to walk this path. He will equip you and sustain you. I graduated in 2006 with an MA in Biblical Counseling and a passion for multi-ethnic churches and discipleship of the Body. God is on the move!”
Praise God sister. Where are you now? Do you have a blog or site? I would love to hear more of your journey! I agree that God is doing some great things in His Church today especially as it relates to the racial divide. If you listen to Thabiti’s message I think that is the start. I think as we see the respect of other biblical convictions and what other ethnicities bring to the Church that divide will narrow more and more. What I don’t want to see is more blacks and hispanics throwing in their ethnic towels and becoming European and this is my fear for myself. I think we have our own language and our own distinctives that we bring to the Body of Christ to enrich it not harm it.
Thank you, Lionel. I enjoyed reading about where you find yourself today. How good God is!
Hey Lionel,
You know me, I stay in a joking mood. So you can imagine my reaction when you wrote that Jesus was your husband… I’m choosing to view this is a shallow manner. As a friend I am glad that you have found peace in your belief. But on another note… That Jesus is my husband quote sounded sooo lamar-ish????? I’m mean… I’m feelin real tingly inside right now son. That’s my Word!!! LOL
This grave-shift has me hay-wire. It’s time for meditation.
PEace and LOve
Chuck,
I need something better than that. Give me some meat brother. What have you thought about this little 4part series.
Brother Lionel,
I been following the blog for a few months now, really good, nitty gritty stuff here. I have enjoyed the fellowship and the rebuke’s (see Pastor Lance’s site on “bridging the gap.”
In light of your article, I am confronted with the views and opinons of those who stand on the other end of the spectrum on this issue, and I am hoping you will be willing to post or at least respond around the issue. Here are the links:
http://www.reformedblacksofamerica.org/rbasite/downloads/Radical_Black_Reformed_Churches_by_Anthony_Bradley.pdf
http://www.reformedblacksofamerica.org/rbasite/downloads/More_Chocolate_In_My_Milk_Please_by_Xavier_Pickett.pdf
What do you think of brothers who stand along these lines? I myself have not reconciled the issue, but am working through it. Thoughts?
Hey Nate,
I am currently trying to bridge this gap somehow and fall in the middle. I agree that we are not to regurgitate, but the other issue is this; milk is milk regardless of the container you put it in, or to say as my man Malcom would say “kittens in the oven ain’t biscuits”. So my response is that the church is built on history and I try to convey this in the part 3 of these posts. There were other movements outside of the Reformation, I do; however, think that many of the truths proclaimed by the Reformers are essential to blacks, hispanics, asians, and middle easterners. In other words these truths are transcendant. Thus we can regurgitate them in one sense but also refine them in the other.
I think things such as:
1. The Sovereingy of God
2. The Doctrines of Grace,
3. The Five Solas,
4. Justification by Faith
and the current movements such as the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Together 4 the Gospel and other such movements are very important to gleam from but I think we have to package those truths and speak to the issues concerning blacks. I think this should and can be done. Just because they refuse to submit to our truth doesn’t mean that we don’t have to and shouldn’t submit to many of the great truths birthed from such movements.
The old saying “lets not recreate the wheel” rings very true here. We as Christians have a wealth of information and I believe we should borrow from each of these people group to help us construct a sound theology that speak to our issues. It would be arrogant not to. And as history shows each generation and even cultures borrow from the next and either improve upon them or tailor them to speak to the current context. I will actually blog on this over lunch. God bless.
Lionel,
I have recently moved to FL and am currently looking for employment and a body to serve. I do not have a blog yet, but I will set one up and let you know when I do. I understand your fears of throwing in the ethnic towel which is something I did for many years while attending the white sbc church. It was when I got to seminary that I picked it up again. I sat many classes wondering as you do,” how does this apply to my family and certain people I know.’ I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Paul Tripp, if anyone was writing solid biblical couseling materials dealing with issues prevalent to minority communities. He said that he knew of none. It is to end that I am also working. The cautions given by Dr. Bruce Fields to minorities entering into evangelical/reformed seminaries over at the RBA blog:
http://www.reformedblacksofamerica.org/blog1/index.php?itemid=299&catid=1
certainly were true in my case. I belive we should be color-blessed and not blind, when it comes race/ethnicity. However, it seems to me that many of our lighter hued brethern equate assimilation with true reconciliation, and are very comfortable with the status quo. However my vision of a multiethnic church is this a visible representation of Christ’s work on the cross reconciling us to God and each other. Also, Edward Gilbreath’s book “Reconciliation Blues” perfectly captured my experiences. It’s worth a read for both blacks and whites who are walking this road.
Did not mean to hijack your blog. Feel free to email me if I be of any assistance. In Christ.
CJ,
You said : “But we cannot ignore our racial and ethic differences as we belong to a new community. That is, in Christ. Even in this sphere, “In Christ,” we need to embrace and celebrate those differences unapologetically. The most confronting issue the Evangelical church today is our refusal and resistance to accept those who are not like us.”
Definately feel where you’re coming from, Brah. Though from a different perspective, I think that one issue people leave out when it comes to racial issues is the simple aspect of relating to people that causes the most sensitivity and proper response when it’s in place: FRIENDSHIP.
When one moves beyond “Oh, I’m bothered by racism” to “Hey, Racism hurt my FRIEND/BROTHER”, I think the responses given by folks will be much different…and for more info, this teaching on the issue should be helpful:
http://www.libertychurch.org/streams/audio/racial/racial_05.mp3
http://www.libertychurch.org/streams/audio/racial/racial_04.mp3
Lionel,
The only part of the series that I paid close attention to was the last one. I found this one to be beautiful as it relates to you. Of course I have different views but this isn’t the post to express too much opposition. Don’t get used to it.
Peace
I left an AME church (Africa methedist) started attending a mostly white church. When I left several fomer church members question why I would leave a BLACK CHURCH for a mostly white church.
In realty I wanted to go to a church that got a bit deeper into the word and wasnt so die hard we must be about blacks during every sermon.
Salvation SHOULD trump race PERIOD
Grabriel,
Thanks for your helpful comment. I’m going to check out the links.
Lou
I went to a mostly white church for a while and I must say I was more edified in that church for the small time I was there then in the church I had grown up in. Sure the music was a little different to what I was used, and the people weren’t as “emotional”, but the WORD was there, no-one was out to rob my money, and the people genuinely liked Douglas for he is, which was a shock compared to my old church where everyone wanted to mould me into the ideal “preacher’s kid”
Gotta agree with Cop when he says Salvation should trump race FULL-STOP
Brother, this series and your entire blog has been edifying and a blessing to me! I hope we can get to know one another better as time goes on.