August 6, 2020
In early June, Pastor Caleb and I attempted to answer several questions which were submitted to us by members of the congregation. Those questions and the forum we held in order to answer them were directly related to the race relations issues that continue to be the subject of many of our conversations. Because our videotaped forum was limited with respect to time, we were not able to answer all the questions that were given to us. In light of that fact, we will be providing answers to some of the remaining questions via a series of online blog posts. The following answers do not necessarily represent the views of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church. They represent my thoughts and opinions concerning the submitted questions.
Member: I have many concerns about the “protesters” demanding others to “take a knee.” Often they are demanding this posture to show subservience and to apologize for “white privilege.” Sometimes they couch it with showing solidarity to the “social justice warriors.” I would take a knee to pray with others, but should Christians be “taking a knee” to anyone other than our Lord?
Dean: In some contexts, the individuals (Sheriffs, other law enforcement individuals, white Americans…) have been/were voluntarily kneeling in order to communicate their agreement with the “concept” of Black Lives Matter. They were in no way bowing, or knowingly genuflecting, to the underlying agenda held by those with ties to organizations such as Black Lives Matter, Inc. It is always wrong to worship, whether through symbolism or any other form, anything or anyone other than our Lord. Guided by this principle or understanding, I would fight for the right of others to kneel, but I personally will not be engaging in any such behavior, especially as it relates to our American Flag. I would personally prefer that no one kneels during the playing of our national anthem, in any and all forums/venues.
Member: After days of riots and violence in the country and specifically violence in DC when the church across the street from the White House was set on fire, the President announced if the mayors and governors didn’t call up the guard to regain control, he would nationalize the guard if necessary. He then walked across the street to that church and held up a Bible. I viewed it as a perfectly appropriate show of strength as the leader of the free world that burning buildings and churches would not be tolerated and that we are still a nation built on Christian principles. Franklin Graham thanked the President for holding up the Bible saying “God and His word are the only hope for our nation.” I agree with Franklin Graham. However, not only did the liberals criticize the President, some pastors, including some in our denomination, questioned the use of that church and a Bible as a publicity stunt. Should we join liberals in criticizing our President for holding up a Bible?
Dean: First, the narrative that led to the question acknowledges that there were also conservative voices who were in disagreement with the President’s action (some of the reasons extended beyond just holding up a Bible). Secondly, there are quite a few Christians who identify as liberal (I’m not one of them). So, it might be more instructive for us to ask the question, “Should Christians criticize our President for holding up a Bible?” My answer to that particular question would be “Absolutely not!” My reason for that position is this: even if I don’t agree with the actions or speech of a person, I would rather have them subscribe to an objective source (Scripture) that could enable us to reach a God honoring consensus, than have them subscribe to some secularist or existentialist source or platform which absolutely contradicts Scripture, and therefore, leaves no place to achieve a good, right, and proper, God honoring consensus which can then be reflected in that person’s policies or decision making.
Member: Should we generally say: blacks, people of color, or African American?
Dean: The question begs for a generality where one may not exist. I suggest the best way to approach this is through the context of your relationship with a particular individual or group. Some understand “black” to be a polarizing label, initially established to create a societal status gap between blacks and whites, whites being superior and deserving of privilege, while blacks were labeled as lower class, and even property, not worthy of much, except the opportunity to serve the interest of whites. Some have embraced “black” as a proud marker which connects them to “their” people. Some are concerned about the well-being of people of all ethnic persuasions, and therefore prefer to use the moniker “people of color”. Finally, there are some who are proud Americans who also embrace their African heritage, and therefore prefer to be called African Americans. So, my counsel here would be to use that which is consistently utilized by those in your sphere of influence. And please don’t allow yourself to live with trepidation over the use of one or the other.
Member: It is so hard to find truth in such a sea of information. A Christian friend posts pictures of black children killed by police. The descriptions are horrifying; are they true? Are they spin? Another friend talks to a black friend who is frequently stopped and questioned by police just for driving through white neighborhoods. A black Christian friend writes a book dedicated to her young son, mourning that some will fear him, just because he is black, as he grows to be a man. Others like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson list published statistics that clearly illustrate that police killings of blacks are rare, less common than police killings of whites. We read and hear drastically different perspectives on Black Lives Matter from trusted Christian friends. We want to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. But how can we promote justice without truth? How do we recognize truth among so many voices? How do we know whom to believe?
Dean: A common illustration is aptly applied here. It’s the illustration concerning the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Counterfeit Bill Recognition Training. The investigators are initially limited to only viewing authentic U. S. currency (bills). They become so well trained in recognizing that which is authentic, that when they get exposed to that which is false, they’re immediately able to recognize that fact. Now let’s take a look at two particular verses found in Scripture:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16).
What do we have here? In summary, just as the FBI agents are trained in that which is truth (authentic) and nothing else, Christians are called to first and foremost know God’s Word, the ultimate source of truth and authenticity, and how it applies to every situation, circumstance, ideological framework. We are to engage everything else with a firm grasp on that which is God’s truth. That truth should serve as our guide as we negotiate the marketplace of ideas. It is by the power and enabling of God’s Spirit that we are able to discern agendas and ideologies which do not conform to God’s Word. That’s one of the reasons Jesus could say, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
Your alignment with other individuals/organizations (Owens, Carlson, news networks…) should also be guided by the same principle. The degree to which what they’re saying or doing is conformed to our rule of faith and practice, is the degree to which you can embrace or act upon it. As always, the ability to act in this manner requires a commitment to Scripture (Psalm 1:1-6).
James communicates one of the greatest principles to be mindful of when engaging the marketplace of ideas, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” People today, without employing any level of the above-mentioned discernment, are often immediately and emotionally steered towards supporting agendas that might very well be antithetical to Scripture. In other cases, we should get engaged, but are emotionally turned off by what we see and hear.