I read Mr. Carter’s blog today and was deeply encouraged. I also read The Miseducation of the Reformed Negro again (and again) to get the jest of Brother X and what he was attempting to convey. {WARNING: EVERYTHNG PROCEEDING THIS LINE IS MY TENSION WITH THE TWO!!!!!}
So okay, here is my feeble attempt to discuss this and I am by no means attempting to step on toes, nor am I attempting to say someone is wrong, nor am I concrete on my position due to the great Latin phrase “Semper Reformenda”!!!
I. The Need to Recreate May Be a Bit Arrogant
Let me explain what I mean. I drive a Toyota Solara with about 133K miles on it (she is a beauty folks). I came to the conclusion that Toyota makes the most dependable cars this side of Heaven. No way can Ford, Honda, or Nissan compare. So I am thankful for the engineers over at Toyota. But there is something the engineers can’t say and that is:
That their thoughts were original!!!! You see the car below is the prototype for all assembly line vehicles (which were cheaper and produced for the masses versus previous vehicles that were much more difficult to manufacture). It is a Ford Model T and from it the birth of Ford Motor Company. Their technology pathed the way for my Solara so I want to send a big thank you to Henry Ford and crew.
But Henry Ford couldn’t really boast about originality either because he was not the first person to find an alternative to horseback travel (which was individual versus the locomotive travel being mass transit). So was there a need to recreate? The answer is no, the need was to be more efficient and to make the most reliable and affordable vehicle available. I think that is where I find myself today and this is how I will proceed theologically. Why you might ask. The answer is……..
II. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Church History
This is pretty much the hinge on which this post swivels. The question is this. Do I believe that the Holy Spirit was moving and shaping the Reformation and other church movements. My answer is yes. Do I also believe the Holy Spirit was moving and shaping the civil rights (or social gospel) movement? My answer again is yes! Do I think both went too far? The answer is an emphatic yes! When Calvin got a man burned at the stake did he take the Reformation too far? The answer is yes! When Cone and others started to ignore things like inerrancy in the name of relevance did they go too far? The answer is yes. The next question is were there truth in both in which we can gleam from the answer is yes again.
So back to the point. I believe that through the Holy Spirit the Reformation was birthed and if He is involved then it doesn’t JUST speak to Europeans fighting Rome (though that is a huge part of the movement) but that through that experience we too can benefit greatly. What do I mean? Well as we read church history we see biblical truths being defined. This is the hang up with many Jehovah Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostals, Mormons and others. We who have read church history don’t see the Council Nicea as a place where the Trinity was created but where it is defined. We also see other councils and other Church debates where Doctrine wasn’t created but defined. The Hypostatic Union was created by God and defined by Humans. The Bible was created by God and defined by Humans. The Reformation was created by God and defined by humans. You get the picture right?
You see whites can no more take credit for the Reformation than can blacks. The Five Solas, The Five Points and all such movements aren’t things created by man just defined by man. We see this in the shaping of the New Testament (though things proceeding the canon are not on par with the canon). Did Paul write the letter of Corinthians? We don’t even want to go there my friend. But as we look at the Reformation and many other movements within Christendom we have to look back and say “look at God move” and with that perspective we can embrace these truths and use them as foundation to speak to what is happening currently in our communities.
III. Back to Carter’s Blog
I am encouraged by the blog. In it he talks about church planting, conferences and books. All which historically has shaped the face of theology throughout the world. Through modern technology the Church has been able to get the Gospel Message further and further into places we didn’t know existed. Through a move in the African American community; books, conferences, more seminarians, sermons, and churches have been on the rise and this will allow the Gospel (especially from a Reformed perspective) to penetrate areas that have been sealed off due to numerous barriers. Once again many disagree but I believe that Reformed Theology is the most biblical theology. That may sound arrogant and I know I will get replies that differ and that is fine; however it is my experience and my tension that I am wrestling through here. And since I believe Reformed Theology to be the most biblically faithful then my desire to see it engage the African American community is of utmost importance. So you see this blog and my attempt to interact with brothers such as Carter, Pastor T, Lance Lewis, Quincy Jones, Eric Redmond, Pastor Irwyn, Brother Plummer, Pastor Eliff, Pastor John Coleman and other reformed brothers. The deeper Reformed truth penetrates our culture and the hearts of those in our community the better I believe it will be. Once again many may disagree but this is my perspective and I am in 100% agreement with Pastor Carter and will do my best to support them by buying their works, attending conferences, and trying to hip others to what they are teaching and doing.
IV. Information does change hearts
JP Moreland wrote a lovely book that I read about 3 or 4 years ago called “Love Your God with All Your Mind“. In it he charges Christians to not only experience God but to all so think Philosophically and critically about our faith. I think this is critical for African Americans. I have heard way too many preachers talk about “Knowledge Puffs up” and “information makes you proud”. This is ludicrous in every other area in life but is one of the first statements you hear from many black pulpits. Whenever you hear “theology is not important” then you should question the premise of such a statement. The bible promotes no such thing. As a matter of fact Peter says of Paul’s writings “they are difficult to understand”. So we are to think critically and philosophically about our God and this Hope called Christianity. I understand the lack of literacy and the lack of information in the past but we are not in the past we are in the present. In a time where more blacks are getting College degrees and more blacks our owning homes, and more blacks are becoming big time players in Corporate America and in parts of our Government (Ms. Rice) we should also be growing in the area of theology.
I will admit that theology can make one arrogant but this happens in every area of life because we are sinners. But being arrogant in science, math and business doesn’t prevent blacks from pursuing such disciplines and neither should theology. Once properly applied and if learned within the context of the church theology can be the most rewarding wealth of information one could accumulate. Theology applied helps one not only know the right thing to do but why it is right which I believe is critical to the Christian faith. I instinctively know that loving my wife is the right thing to do, but why? But if I understand my marriage and how it is a reflection of Christ and the Church, things like divorce, and adultery become a higher priority. In another example I understood that I was saved, but once I understood the extent of that salvation and why Christ came and how He made a special purchase of me in a covenant established before the foundation of the world (yes I am promoting Particular Atonement here) I had a new found joy. It actually motivated me to love others as Christ had loved me. I can on for days but those are only two examples.
You see the lack of information hasn’t done much for us. As a matter of fact I can say that the last few years that due to no big issue really facing the black church that many men have fled the scene like a two time felon about to get his third strike. Just look around. Who are the most popular preachers of our day? Who sales the most books? Which conferences does blacks attend? Let me help: Eddie Long, T.D Jakes, Fred Price, Juanita Bynum, Jamal Bryant, Creflo Dollar, Miles Munroe, Ike Hilliard and all of their little bobble heads that want to be just like them. If you ask a black person (on average) to name one pastor I guarantee that one of these names will be on the top of the list. All of the names mentioned above our heretics in the first degree! So is information important? You best believe it my friend.
V. Closing
We have to find a way to repackage the wealth of information we have in a way that gets our intended audience attention while not minimizing that information. How that works I don’t know. But as I go out and share the Gospel, most people I encounter don’t need more church, they need the gospel clearly articulated. If churches and preachers; feed, clothe, shelter, motivate, and inspire their congregants while at the same time ignore the essentials of Christian Doctrine then we have failed to do what Paul charges Timothy and Titus to do which is to “teach sound doctrine”. This is not an option this is a command. And my friends, doctrine is information that when applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit is life transforming information. We must have a healthy balance, but if we must err we must err on the side of truth because the “Gospel is the power of salvation to those who believe” lets not think that blacks would be disinterested in theology, lets find a way in which they will be.
Lionel — you’re stepping on my toes again! (Which is what I need.)
Several of your recent posts have been on this theme — of how to reach those who are lost. You talked about churches in suburbia not wanting to reach out to those in the inner city. I live in a rural area, and our churches are basically segregated. What’s more, our church (which includes me) doesn’t want to reach out to those who are not only a different color, but the same color… just a lower socio-economic background. Reading a previous post of yours, I began wondering how to reach out to others. In reality, I don’t meet many people outside of church — the checkout lady in the grocery store is about it. But I’m trying to challenge myself to see how I can accomplish this. It’s first a mental thing — recognizing the problem, then figuring out how to break out of the complacency in order to accomplish it.
Our pastor talked about this a bit just yesterday. He’s just accepted the full-time pastorate of our church, and will be moving down with his family to this area which is new to him, and he talked about things he’s going to do in order to get to know the people of the community (outside the church). That has further challenged me.
The verse that is going through my head is when Paul said, “To the Jews, I became a Jew that I might win the Jews; to the Greeks, I became a Greek, that I win the Greeks.” You’re right in a previous post when you said that most people (religious or not) don’t know the difference between infra- and supralapsarianism, nor do they care. In a way, nor *should* they care, if there are other things that are weightier. The writer of Hebrews chided his audience because they were still on milk, when they should have gone on to meatier religious matters — but everybody starts on milk. Babes in Christ must be fed milk, before they can process the meat. Once they’re more mature, the various doctrinal debates and discussions can take more center stage; but until that time, getting involved in questions like “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin” is more likely to kill a newborn Christian than not.
This is mostly just “thinking out loud” for myself. When it comes to reaching out to the lost, we’ve got to start with milk, not meat. Not because meaty doctrinal subjects aren’t important, but because they’re not able to be digested by babes in Christ.
Wow,
I must say that the other post (Mr. Carter’s blog) is on point with a lot of things. It’s funny because I just did some extensive research on the Classical/Operant Conditioning of Blacks, throughout America’s History and how this conditioning has been passed on from generation to generation. I found that most Blacks, both educated and uneducated, are conditioned to think, act and react a certain way. This is indeed true. When it comes to the many religions/beliefs, I found the many people study the religion, but disregard the origins of that belief system.
With regards to the other blog, there are two ways to look view the post; as one in touch with Christianity, or one that is in touch with Reality (Self-Consciousness). Yeap, I had to go there.
Lionel;
I find your writing very interesting, sometimes even a little bit intimidating being how much information you seem to know. You concluded well by saying “But as I go out and share the Gospel, most people I encounter don’t need more church, they need the gospel clearly articulated.” We need Reformed theology clearly articulated to us. That’s all. I think you did a good job of making clear what you were saying in this post.
Most blacks like to go and see Bynum, Jakes, and stuff because they tickle their ears. We have always liked a good show, and that’s what these heretics do well. Should I have to present the Gospel in the same manner to get the attention of my people? Should I have to holler and scream to get some brothers interested in theology? Nope, just say it to them plainly. Thanks for the good info you’ve provided here bro, God bless
Karsten Miller
Sis Karsten Miller, If I may say, part of me wishes to be very careful not to “throw out the baby with the bathwater.” As one of my friends said, we can become so relevant that we lose our message (which is just as bad as being so focused on the message that we become irrelevant).
For example, when most people see kats like Jakes, Bynum and numerous others, they seen their preaching styles and methodologies alongside the erroneous doctrines they’ve brought out—-and consequently, go to say that EVERYTHING they did was off. If you’re hollering like they are, you’re simply being emotional. If you’re saying “touch your neighbor and say.___” then you’re working the crowd.
However, I don’t think it’s necessarily an “either or” scenario. Ephinaphy Fellowship, for example, once had a preacher teaching on Proverbs 7 and buddy, THE MAN COULD PREACH. But for every holler/scream he did, it was worth it due to how the GOSPEL WAS BEING PLACED FORTH.
Nothing wrong, with a preacher who acts very energetic/animated when conducting a sermon (i.e. hoping/hollering, telling the audience “Turn to your neighbor and say……”, using eccentric humor/methods, etc……Being raise around it, I guess I’m used to it, and kind of like it too)…….
And in line with the previous posts done on CONTEXUALIZING THE GOSPEL FOR VARIOUS CULTURES, it’d make sense that some of those things would be involved in presenting the Gospel plainly—SINCE those things are a part of the majority of Black Church Culture. Whereas it can turn others off, sometimes it helps others stay engaged to what’s being taught, and even Jesus himself was engaging to His audiences, as evidenced in His speaking in mind-blowing parables/illustrations comparing the familiar things of the people to the unfamiliar things of God. That was pretty engaging. Moreover,
Proverbs 15:13
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:30
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
This is something I think people like Jakes and others have figured out how to “tap” into0—using a methodology meant to spread the Gospel in order to spread something different. Just like with saliva needed to break/digest food down, how important is the role/importance of enthusiasm is in church……So often, people will expound on a sermon and simply expect their audience to receive it and fail to realize the difficulty of doing so when their spirits may be too crushed with things/pressures to bear any thing else…….
They fail to see how enthusiasm can help prepare the way…….How like pain-medicine, enthusiasm (i.e. greeting with welcome, or giving a word of encouragement, or maintaining a positive outlook on life, getting excited, etc) is needed to help heal/medicate (Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 17:30), making people ready to receive the Truth………
But sadly, there’s been so much damage because it’s been taken so far out of context that when people hear the word “Enthusiasm”, they have a bad taste in their mouths (as it was in the video clip) and never realize how biblical the concept really is.
Ditto on the thoughts, Brother Lionel, in your thoughts on Reformed Theology in many ways being the most biblical theology to work with (though you know, Brah—-gotta have my middle ground with things and thus I’ll always look for the Reformed Charismatic side of things like John Piper/Sam Storms and Wayne Grudem as that’d seem like a good mix for Black Brothers and Sisters, lol lol lol)
Gabriel,
I appreciate your comments bro. One thing, I am a brother, not a sister. No worries, it’s a common mistake people make because my name is a greek one used for both men and women.
I am speaking of hollering and screaming to where I cannot even understand what your saying because all that’s all that’s going on. I’ve heard Pastor John Coleman holler in some of his sermons, yet I could understand the very words he was saying. That’s all, thanks bro,
Karsten
Jude encourages the believers of his time to “defend” God’s unchanging truth, we’re also encouraged to
“Prove all things” “rightly dividing the word of truth”. The debate between Mr. Don Preston and Mr. Melvin Jones(pulpit-pimps) is as biblical as it gets, when there’re disagreements between believes. Every believer should be thrilled
that Godly men have chosen not act as the world, but as men of God trying man’s eschatology views by the Word of God.
Don K. Preston in an Up Coming Radio Debate
You can listen to the debate live, on http://www.Covenantradio.com on May the 22, at 7 Eastern time, 6 Central time.
Depending on the time available, there may be two propositions.
Don K. Preston will affirm the following.
Resolved: The Bible teaches that the Second (i.e. final) coming of Christ occurred at the time of the fall of Jerusalem in A. D. 70.
Don K. Preston: affirm
Melvin Jones: Deny.
If time permits, Mr. Jones will also have an affirmative, which will be:
Resolved: The Bible teaches that due to Jewish unbelief and rejection of Jesus in the first century, the Davidic Kingdom was postponed until the Second Coming of Christ which will occur at the end of the current Christian age.
Melvin Jones: Affirm
Challenge your eschatology, because it’s not what we believe, it’s what The bible affirms is Truth……..
Lionel,
Remember me? It’s possible that you may not. I know it’s been a while since you heard from me, but I have to let you know that I’ve been silently digesting and thanking the Savior for all of the entries that you’ve made on this blog. I credit you with being one of the first individuals to put me on to the distinctives of the Reformed faith and the doctrines of grace, and for that I am eternally grateful. I especially enjoyed the last series you did on “Young, Black and Reformed”. You speak to the same issues that I have been wrestling with for quite some time now, and God has given you the gift to be able to beautifully articulate the struggle many African-American brothers are having in our quest to balance sound, solid, biblical theology with the plight that our people face in everyday life.
I won’t take up your blogspace with the internal unrest that the Holy Spirit has been giving me lately, because as I’ve said, you’ve already covered much of what I was thinking. I know you are familiar with it, but I just came across the following post on RBA’s blog:
http://www.reformedblacks.org/blog1/index.php?itemid=251#more
It’s caused me to seriously consider the burden I have to contextualize the true gospel of Jesus Christ to my friends and family. There’s much to be discussed about how that looks (and much was discussed in the comment section), but it got me to thinking about some very crucial and pivotal things. Mostly it involves seminary level education for those of us who desire to be equipped and well-furnished for the deliverance and handling of the truth of God’s word to the places that need it. I’ll outline the questions for you so that it can be clear what I’m asking.
1. Did you (or are you) considering training at RTS Orlando or one of the other reformed seminaries?
2. Do you really think that the presence of more Blacks in these reformed seminaries will cause the faculty and staff to begin to pay more attention to instruction on bringing the gospel to those in poverty-stricken, low-income, crime-infested areas and neighborhoods?
3. I know that you’ve heard of some seminaries that offer some free classes online. With respect to the fact that many of us (although capable and academically proficient enough) cannot really afford tuition for a theology degree from an accredited and reputable seminary, I’d like to know if you’ve heard of or what you think about this COMPLETELY FREE online seminary.
http://www.tnars.net/
As you can see, it offers a complete curriculum and certification in the areas of biblical studies, theology and divinity. However, the school is not accreditated with any state or regional accreditation organization. Question: Do you think it would be advantageous for those who can’t afford seminary at this time to go ahead and enroll in something like this and complete what they can, then when able to attend seminary they have a good idea of the courseload and what to expect? I’m seriously considering and praying about undertaking this endeavor, because upon just a cursory look at the material one can see that it is very thorough and quite challenging, which is what I would expect seminary to be like. Now, there are those who even feel that this curriculum is insufficient and should not be placed on par with the education recieved at an actual seminary. Discussion about this can be found here:
http://www.puritanboard.com/f55/completely-free-online-reformed-seminary-28682/
I’d love to know your thoughts on the subjects mentioned, and if you want, I’d really enjoy speaking with you about some of the more refined details of where I am right now. You can get my number from Gabriel, or I can just email it to you. Thanks for your time, and keep the posts coming, as they are a blessing and refreshment to the soul.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Craig
1. I have talked with Mr. Prickett a couple of times and with a young son and one on the way I would rather stay in Dallas and go to either Westminster, DTS, or Southwest Baptist. And I really like the DFW area.
2. Yes. As long as the blacks there push for such a shift.
3. Yeah I saw this on someones site very interesting indeed.
4. I think that the 12, Paul, Timothy, Titus, Jude, James and others that were the main players in the 1st century church and the leaders that suceeded them were clueless about seminary. I think it would be VERY advantageous to do such a thing as long as you are working it out within the local body. You don’t want to get all of this information and be a theological glutton. I was guilty of this for the first 3 years of being introduced to “theology” and it can become extremely dangerous if you are not flushing out what you learn by either being held accountable to put it in practice or teaching others with the intent and prayer that the Holy Spirit would conform them to the image of Jesus Christ.
6. Email me your number I will hit you up this weekend. My email is lionelwoods@hotmail.com or you can call me at 972-816-7024. There are other good brothers that can give you more information on Seminary from an insider perspective. Hopefully I can put you in contact with them.
I am glad that the Doctrines of Grace has penetrated your heart brother. I think it is a rewarding and Christ exalting doctrine as long as it doesn’t produce haughtiness which I was guilty of early in my walk. I am very greatful for your kind words my friend.
I also wanted to let you know I am not Reformed in the sense of being PCA or even Reformed Baptist (Founders). So I would probably go to a more neutral seminary something that is Baptist and is open to the Doctrines of Grace.
Lionel,
Thanks a lot!!! How about I give you a buzz on Friday evening? I’ve got a road trip from GA to VA that evening, and it would leave plenty of time to converse. Be assured that I am definitely keeping watch and taking notice of my attitude and demeanor when it concerns biblical truth. I completely understand what you mean by the tendency to become prideful and condescending to others. I really don’t think that’s how Christ would have us to behave. I will admit though, that I do respond every blue moon to any completely crazy comments on pp.org. This mostly is for the purpose of not only helping to inform the individual (as I have lately been giving recommended reading material to them) but also to get them to THINK instead of just believing everything they see and hear. It’s my desire for the body to be able to do that, because I’m considering how much that mentality has plagued me in the past. Don’t worry, Gabriel keeps me balanced enough with all our discussion about different angles and viewpoints!!! (LOL!!!). Anyways, look forward to speaking with you, and if you have time before the weekend my # is 910-916-6776.
Solus Christus,
Craig