Thread: Race, the Gospel, and the Moment

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/a...and-the-moment

How should Christians, and especially those with an Anglo-white background, respond to last weekend's alt-right gathering in Charlottesville and its tragic aftermath?

Three brief things need to be said.

First, Christians should look at the energized and emboldened white nationalism movement, and at its fascist slogans, and condemn it—full stop. No, "But on the other hand." The main way most people are responding across the political spectrum is by saying, "See? This is what I have been saying all along! This just proves my point." The conservatives are using the events to prove that liberal identity politics is wrong, and liberals are using it to prove that conservatism is inherently racist. We should not do that.

Second, this is a time to present the Bible's strong and clear teachings about the sin of racism and of the idolatry of blood and country—again, full stop. In Acts 17:26, in the midst of an evangelistic lecture to secular, pagan philosophers, Paul makes the case that God created all the races "from one man." Paul's Greek listeners saw other races as barbarian, but against such views of racial superiority Paul makes the case that all races have the same Creator and are of one stock. Since all are made in God's image, every human life is of infinite and equal value (Gen. 9:5–6). When Jonah puts the national interests of Israel ahead of the spiritual good of the racially "other" pagan city of Nineveh, he is roundly condemned by God (Jonah 4:1–11). One main effect of the gospel is to shatter the racial barriers that separate people (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14–18), so it is an egregious sin to do anything to support those barriers. When Peter sought to do so, Paul reprimanded him for losing his grasp on the gospel (Gal. 2:14).

Racism should not be only brought up at moments such as we witnessed in Charlottesville this past weekend. The evil of racism is a biblical theme—a sin the gospel reveals and heals—so we should be teaching about it routinely in the course of regular preaching. Which brings me to a final point.

Twentieth-century fascist movements that made absolute values out of "Blut und Boden" ("Blood and Soil")*—putting one race and one nation's good above the good of all—also claimed to champion traditional family values and moral virtues over against the decadence of relativistic modern culture. Even though they were no friends of orthodox Christianity (see Adolf Hitler's heretical "Positive Christianity" movement), they could and can still appeal to people within our own circles. Internet outreach from white nationalist organizations can radicalize people who are disaffected by moral decline in society. So it is absolutely crucial to speak up about the biblical teaching on racism—not just now, but routinely. We need to make those in our circles impervious to this toxic teaching.

This article reminds me of those times when my lovely wife gets upset at me for not apologizing for something she conjured up in her own mind and subsequently demands an apology

Not sure why Christians with an Anglo-white background are obligated to respond any different from those with a non anglo-background but ..

Originally Posted by BAP

This article reminds me of those times when my lovely wife gets upset at me for not apologizing for something she conjured up in her own mind and subsequently demands an apology

Not sure why Christians with an Anglo-white background are obligated to respond any different from those with a non anglo-background but ..

Keller didn't say they should respond differently, he just said "especially"

How should Christians, and especially those with an Anglo-white background, respond to last weekend’s alt-right gathering in Charlottesville and its tragic aftermath?

Faithfulone,
Here's the deal, a lot of people are beginning to believe this is all staged, both the white and black uprisings of the last few years. The real white kkk type groups are a tiny sect, very secluded mostly in rural america and have no credibility or clout. This is too big not to be staged.

Let me give you an example: I work in Baton Rouge, La. at least once a month. I was there last year when 3 officers got shot to death. The churches got together and had a prayer vigil and the Mayor, city council woman and chief of police ( who were all black) all stated that these were OUTSIDE agitators who had been bused in to stir up unrest, NOT local residence from BTR. That's when I begin to wake up and smell something foul.

While there are very few outspoken white supremacists there are probably many million that have racist leanings or attitudes at all. Only God knows the depths of the heart. Given the right climate they would come out of the woodwork, much like resentment for Jews came out in the climate of Nazi rule in Germany.

Originally Posted by Colonel

While there are very few outspoken white supremacists there are probably many million that have racist leanings or attitudes at all. Only God knows the depths of the heart. Given the right climate they would come out of the woodwork, much like resentment for Jews came out in the climate of Nazi rule in Germany.

Which I believe happened when trump was elected. And probably what happened when Obama was elected. People had preconceived notions of what Obama would do, just because he was black and they thought he would bring about great change, but in reality didn't fulfill every promise he made. The KKK and Nazis think they have a friend in Trump, and he hasn't done much so far to dispel that notion, despite him flapping his gums on the contrary.

Originally Posted by FaithfulOne

Which I believe happened when trump was elected. And probably what happened when Obama was elected. People had preconceived notions of what Obama would do, just because he was black and they thought he would bring about great change, but in reality didn't fulfill every promise he made. The KKK and Nazis think they have a friend in Trump, and he hasn't done much so far to dispel that notion, despite him flapping his gums on the contrary.

There's always something dark lurking that is extremely for or against a flamboyant president, which is what both have been.

Originally Posted by Pentecali

Faithfulone,
Here's the deal, a lot of people are beginning to believe this is all staged, both the white and black uprisings of the last few years. The real white kkk type groups are a tiny sect, very secluded mostly in rural america and have no credibility or clout. This is too big not to be staged.

Let me give you an example: I work in Baton Rouge, La. at least once a month. I was there last year when 3 officers got shot to death. The churches got together and had a prayer vigil and the Mayor, city council woman and chief of police ( who were all black) all stated that these were OUTSIDE agitators who had been bused in to stir up unrest, NOT local residence from BTR. That's when I begin to wake up and smell something foul.

Something else , re: "white nationalist" groups.

They are all infiltrated by FBI, ATF, etc...

I saw this the other day and I, personally, this it hits it square.

there are fringe factor on both ends of the spectrum.



Most of us fall in the middle of these bunch of yahoos.

Most of us don't make decisions about who we like/don't like, want to hang our around, respect, admire, etc.. based on the melanin in our skin.
Anyone with 2 functioning brain cells knows that's not a reasonable criteria.

Originally Posted by FaithfulOne

Which I believe happened when trump was elected. And probably what happened when Obama was elected. People had preconceived notions of what Obama would do, just because he was black and they thought he would bring about great change, but in reality didn't fulfill every promise he made. The KKK and Nazis think they have a friend in Trump, and he hasn't done much so far to dispel that notion, despite him flapping his gums on the contrary.

What's he supposed to DO? Besides repeatedly saying he's not in agreement with them? What is he expected to DO?