A Slave Mentality (and Theology)

Last week I received the latest addition of Outreach Magazine. Attached, there was a notice that it was time for me to re-new my subscription in order to receive another full year of the magazine. A bonus gift comes if I take advantage of a special offer right now. This special gift is Dr. John MacArthur’s new book, “Slave.” The caption next to the book says, “Best-selling author and pastor Dr. John MacArthur reveals one crucial word that revolutionizes what it means to follow Jesus.” On the back of this advertisement it says, “What does it mean to be a Christian the way Jesus defined it? MacArthur says it all boils down to one word: Slave.”

Well, I respectfully have some issues with Dr. MacArthur. First of all the book is black, which I think is somewhat ironic. I realize this was probably more a publishing decision, not Dr. MacArthur’s. A black book with the word, “slave” on the cover written in white. I’m sure purely coincidental.

Second, and more important, is this question- Is slave the primary way Jesus defined the Christian life? What about this text-

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:12-15-NASB)

And what about this text-

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because he has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the Poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19-NASB)

Is the primary way Jesus defines the Christian life and His role in it deem us the slaves? Even if you believe this to be true, there is enough Scripture to provide other identifications for the Christian than just slave. What about the Christian as liberated, beloved, child, heir, and friend? Why does slave get to be in the driver’s seat of the car of Christian identification?

I have to say that I have not read this book yet, so I’m just commenting on the advertisement of the book. I realize what an influential theological figure Dr. MacArthur is, which is why I must challenge in love, the premise of the advertising of this book. Why is it hard for some European-American theologians to see the bible story as one of liberation, not enslavement?

In the Old Testament, we read of a God who releases a people out of slavery, makes a covenant with them, and calls them to bring justice to the poor, orphan, widow, and alien (immigrant). Humanity is enslaved to sin, so in the New Testament we read of a Savior who comes to set us free by bringing new life. Is the God story really about slavery or about liberation and empowerment? I guess to a degree it depends on the cultural slant from which it is read and interpreted. As one who can trace his heritage back to a slave girl on my mother’s side, I see the primary way Jesus defines the Christian life as a life of freedom, follower-ship, an friendship. But, is this just my heritage or is it a true interpretation of the meta-narrative of Scripture; love, new life, freedom, and a new Kingdom? This is not to take away from obedience, worship, and Lordship. Jesus didn’t come to put us on a plantation, but to fulfill a promise. Is the Christian as slave revolutionary? Release from slavery is a more true revolution.

I will renew my subscription to Outreach Magazine so that I can read this book and speak more specifically to the theology being presented.

Why I choose African-American Over Black

I was recently in a conversation with a fellow Christian who wanted to know why I use the term African-American. “We are all Americans” he said. “Terms like that just divide us.”

The further conversation that followed led me to deeper reflection and thru this blog post, explantation on why I choose African-American over Black and over simply the title, American.

One, I’ve come to the belief that race is unbiblical, so for a theological foundation around my identity, Black doesn’t work. Now at the same time, I honor the history of the identification Black. The Black power movement of the 1960′s and 70′s was about bringing honor, dignity, and empowerment to a racial label that made a people less than human. The definition of Black up until that point was rooted in the systems of slavery and Jim Crow segregation. The Black power movement redefined Black and reinvented a people group. I get this and honor it. But this still doesn’t take away from race being not only unbiblical, but unsubstantiated scientifically as well. Skin color and physical features alone are not enough to bring about major differences among people. The categories of race only bring about stereotypes leading to power and privilege for some and second-class status for others.

Culture, ethnicity, and covenant are biblical though. These are places thru which Christians can find identity. I’m an American, I have a lost history in Africa, but my primary identity is in Christ Jesus. I also have Irish and Native American in my family tree as well. But, more importantly, I am found in the family tree laid out in Matthew 1. This is the family tree of Jesus.

I also call myself African-American because I’ve actually been to Africa. Both times that I’ve been on this continent, I’ve been greeted with the words, “Welcome Home.” Recently, while in Kenya, I was made an honorary elder of a church. I was so honored by this experience that I couldn’t stop tears from flowing. I’m African, I’m American, I’m the beloved of God thru Christ Jesus (1 John 3:1). This is why I choose African-American over Black, but over all of that I choose to live as the Beloved.

Ten Things I Wish Evangelicals Would Stop Doing

10.) Act as if justice is simply a social issue and not a biblical one.

9.) Reduce the Christian life to individualism.

8.) Major in the minors theologically.

7.) Stop saying “hate the sin, but love the sinner” when we don’t do it.

6.) Feel comfortable with segregated church.

5.) Confuse political ideology with biblical theology.

4.) Act as if race, class, and gender are no longer issues to be dealt with.

3.) Avoid prophetic preaching.

2.) Missing out on being blessed by women in pastoral leadership.

1.) Ignoring the biblical mandate of reconciliation.

Featured in Publication of Duke Divinity School

I am honored to be featured in this publication of Duke Divinity School. Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.faithandleadership.com/features/articles/hip-hop-mosaic