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Is Non-Political Christianity in America Dead?

Thread ID: 15879 | Posts: 2 | Started: 2004-12-04

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Okiereddust [OP]

2004-12-04 13:21 | User Profile

I'll admit, with regard to race, I have at times been viewed not incorrectly at times, as being "wet" on the issue, privately at least. Personally this has been especially true in my religious life. Sure, I reject definitively multiculturalism, but how about that soft, sometimes syruppy but often quite sincere sounding statement that we are called to love and accept everybody?

And indeed, within the context of Church it can sound sincere enough. Surely Church after all is the one time we can put down our differences and embrace those as brothers all who have the courage to reject the secularism of our age and openly seek him? Especially when this call to reconciliation, in the manner of the gospel, is truly "color-blind", implicitely (at least in my very rose-colored glasses eyes) that almost all racism is a two way street anyway?

And in any event, racial liberalism is fundamentally a part of theological liberalism, anyway, is it not. (As in the origins of "the social gospel"). Surely merely by standing for theological conservatism and orthodoxy we are standing against the social activism and even communist impulses that so characterized the attitude of the "liberal" churches in the sixties, aren't we? Isn't race after all ultimately a political question, belonging to the temporal realm, and therfore isn't there some immunity as a spiritual institution the Church should enjoy from excessive scrutiny over the political agenda that might lie behind portions of its work. (Today's mission activities come to mind)

Well reading this statement from the ultraorthodox Presbyterian Church of America, apparently not. Theologically they don't much more conservataive than these ultra-orthodox Calvinists, so wyhen they start making these noises, I strongly suspect this is reflective of what's going on everywhere. Even those of you from conservative Churches need may need to check out your Churches official, or unoffical, position in their Churches. Are opponents of multiculturalism the "new niggers" in the Churches. Must we walk through the back door, and with regard to Church policy, be seen but not heard?

I think everyone that goes to Church needs to ask themselves this question. "Has my Church issued an official statement such as this? Or even is there some general doctrine such as this, known to Church leaders, which governs their actions, and which all the leaders and staff know about, and eventually will boldly assert?

Tex, for instance have you checked out the Missouri Synod's work in this area? (Not to mention you Walter?)

I don't know where this is all going, but I think we can all see that if its headed where these people are either we haveto stop it, get off the bus, or for a participant on this forum be completely hypocritical.

[QUOTE]Natural affinities of background, culture, and language are often powerful vehicles for the transfer of the Gospel and for unity in worship. These affinities are not inherently evil and may legitimately create much congregational homogeneity in locales where there is little racial or social diversity. However, such affinities become barriers to the Gospel mission and testimony of the church when the desire to associate only with like persons becomes justification for the active or passive exclusion or segregation of persons from different backgrounds or for the devaluing of their contribution to the body of Christ. Formally or informally segregating persons from position or membership in any gathered body of Christ on the basis of race, national origin, color, or social status is contrary to the Gospel (Eph. 2:13-16; James 2:1-9). In contrast, when the gathered people of God reflect the power of the Gospel to transform all cultures and unite all peoples in the worship of their Creator and Savior, then the Gospel is powerfully represented and the Lord is greatly glorified. [B]Those who find themselves placed in contexts of little racial or social diversity are called to discern ways to respond to this cross-cultural Gospel calling as are those who find themselves in contexts of diversity.[/B]

While establishing groups based on natural affinities is not always wrong, it should be undertaken with great care. This approach is the basis of the homogeneous principle of church growth, which has been a significant principle in the church growth literature of recent decades. But could it be that planning for the growth of the church along natural affinity lines has become an obstacle to the supernatural work of the Spirit that would show a watching world the power of the Gospel? Francis Schaeffer argued that the final and conclusive argument for the truthfulness of the Christian faith is “observable oneness among true Christians” (The Great Evangelical Disaster, 170-171). [B]Surely there is no greater or more conclusive argument for the truthfulness and power of the Christian faith than observable oneness among true Christians across the lines of race.[/B] This is a oneness that is not natural and it is for this very reason a powerful demonstration of the truth of the Gospel. Such an approach might not seem efficient but it would be effective in attaining the goal of demonstrating a Gospel that unites people across the dividing lines of race………………………………..

That statement achieved a “consensus on a number of crucial issues” and it began by confessing serious inadequacies with respect to NAPARC member churches concerning race relations in the church:

We are convinced that we, as Reformed Christians, have failed to speak and act boldly in the area of race relations. [B]Our denominational profiles reveal patterns of ethnic and racial homogeneity. We believe that this situation fails to give adequate expression to the saving purposes of our sovereign God, whose covenant extends to all peoples and races[/B]………..

For years we have left unattended in our midst the vestiges of racism, and the reality of its raw presence within corners of our denomination. [B] We have been comfortable to let our brothers and sisters of races other than Caucasian[/B] quietly acquiesce to our unwillingness to make changes on their behalf, in contrast to Christ’s laying down His life for us. We repent of our offenses against our brothers and sisters in Christ…………………………………………………………..

God calls us to repent of current racial attitudes and practices that are sinful, and calls us to deeds in keeping with repentance.

[B]Racism is deeply entrenched in North America.[/B] [B]Today, in the United States, there are many proponents, and even entire organizations, devoted to the acceptance of slavery, segregation, and the belief that one race is superior to another. Such views have an impact even within our own church community. We affirm that such practices are abhorrent to the Holy Word of God, are contrary to the proclamation and living out of the Gospel, and cannot be allowed in the church of Jesus Christ.[/B] Where segregation is no longer forced by law but has become institutionalized in our society, we are called to live out and apply the Gospel, so that people are treated as equals without regard to their race.

[URL=http://www.byfaithonline.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID323422|CHID670978|CIID1810742,00.html]The PCA Pastoral Letter on Racism[/URL] [/QUOTE]

Happy Hacker

2004-12-04 18:36 | User Profile

The reason "Sunday is the most segregated day of the week" is because blacks aren't being paid to attend. I won't be a false witness against my race and accuse whites of deeply entrenched racism, except against other whites (e.g. the white-bashing that goes on in every white public school and almost every white church in America).

I realize that half the Bible is devoted to criticizing people for prefering to be with people like themselves. Oops, I think I got that backwards. There's no sin in prefering to associate with people more like yourself.