A WITNESS WHEN TRUTH HAS DISAPPEARED
In an age when any objective bar of truth seems to have disappeared in most areas of life, consider the power of a witness to truth that not only is not divided by disagreements but even grows from staying in community and dialogue about those differences.
GOD IS NOT DEFEATED BY RACISM
What we discover with the cross is that God is not only not defeated by evil but is able to work through even the worst displays of human sinfulness to provide a redemptive possibility. The cross, which would have appeared to be the worst sin that humans could commit against the love of God, has become, instead, the very instrument of our redemption. This is the core truth of Redemptive Theology. As God made clear to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (my) power is made perfect in weakness.”
RACISM DID NOT SURPRISE GOD
In applying the truth of redemptive theology to the issue of white racism, there are several aspects that need to be noted. First, Redemptive Theology assumes that God is omniscient and therefore knew from the beginning the nature of humanity and the effect of sin on God’s creative purpose. God knew the nature of the church, and the sin of racism is not a surprise to God who called the church into reality within this culture. God knew from the beginning that racism would be a part of the American culture and therefore a critical aspect of the community of faith within which God was working God’s saving work.
GOD IS NOT DEFEATED BY
A SINFUL CHURCH
Second, Redemptive Theology also assumes that God is omnipotent and is not defeated by sin but intentionally incorporates the reality of sin into God’s plan of salvation. For example, when David was confronted with his sin by God’s prophet, Nathan, David did not live in denial but confessed his sin before God. For narrative purposes, the canon saw Psalm 51 as an expression of David’s confession before God. While humanity suffers for their sins and the sins of others, as seen in the death of Bathsheba’s child and would later be seen in the disintegration of David’s family, God can transform even sin into a redeeming possibility. David and Bathsheba have another son, Solomon. This son will provide the family line from which Christ will be born. Matthew emphasized this aspect of God’s redeeming work in the genealogy with which he began his gospel, which in contrast to most genealogies not only included women but made a point of including women such as Bathsheba who had questionable qualities in their lives. God could use even the sin of adultery for a greater purpose.
DON’T DENY REALITY
With respect to racism, God’s saving work within the church is not experienced by denying the reality of racism but through discerning what God is doing by incorporating the reality of the sin of racism into God’s saving work. There is hope not because racism is insignificant but because God is not defeated by it. In what way can the redeeming power of God work through the reality of racism in our churches?
YOU AND YOUR CHURCH
In future columns, I want to explore how you can begin in your church to address racism and eventually join with other churches to witness to God’s redemptive path. Whenever you want to join with me in these efforts, contact me at stevepmc24@gmail.com .
