Allow me give to some context about black liberation theology, what is this theology? James Cone, the primary architect of B.L.T and a protestant minister, grew up in Arkansas under the heavy hand of segregation. He observed first-hand the way white Christians treated blacks even after desegregation was ordered by the federal government. The Christian message of peace and brotherly love contrasted sharply with Christians' bigoted behavior, and this left a lasting mark on Cone's thinking. James Cone writes a book entitled; "Black Theology and Black Power" (The title itself gives us an idea of where this guy is going) says; "A moral or theological appeal based on white definition of morality or theology will serve as a detriment to our attainment of black freedom. The only option we blacks have is to fight in every way possible, so that we can create a definition of freedom based on our own history and culture. We must not expect white people to give us freedom. Freedom is not a gift, but a responsibility, and thus must be taken against the will of those who hold us in bondage".
This thought process is alarming and it's becoming more alarming when some of our noteable pastors take on such theology like Pastor Jeremiah Wright and Pastor Freddy Haynes of Friendship West Baptist Church along with many others. But my question is does B.L.T help the church or harm the church? Is B.L.T a black radical movement like the 60's Black Panther's movement? Are we saying that Christianity needs more than the bible to shape a theological perspective about what being a Christian is all about? Are we has black people really free? These questions and many others raises concerns about this theology and if you are not rooted in the word of God you will fall for a theology that leads to destruction.
I heard Pastor Reginald Terry a sermon years ago at my home church, Mt Sinai on Psalms 100. In his sermon, he makes a statement by way of an illustration that has stuck with me up until this point. He tells the story of a women who stands up in church testify during they're testimony period. She starts out with the usual introduction for testimony service; "Given honor to the pastor, members, and friends. I thank God that I'm saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost". She then says; Church, I don't want the devil behind me, I want him in front of me so I can see what he's doing". From that statement the church went into and uproar. Pastor Terry says; "I'm not the smartest guy but if the devil is in front of you don't that mean you're following him?" He explains that everything that sounds good is not necessarily good for you!
I declare, B.L.T sounds good but not good for you. Here's why:
- Bible vs. Philosophy - One of my favorite verses in scripture is 2 Timothy 3:16-17; "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". The philosophy of B.L.T denounces some central truths of Scripture. For instances, The Word of God has being infallible. According to Cone, he believes that the Word of God is fallible because it was written by men. He believes the Word has errors and cannot be taken as an absolute for the Christian faith. My friend, how wrong you are! The Word of God is infallible and inerrant and lasting. 1 Peter 1:22-25 says; "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because all flesh is as grass, and all the flory of man as the flower of the grass, the grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which be the Gospel was preached to you". Give me the Word of God over a man's philosophy. It's the word of God that changes a man's heart and provides hope to dying world of freedom to come when we will spend eternity with God regardless of your race. The bible has no mistakes my friend. You can trust the Word.
- Freedom vs Oppression - Dr. Cone says he reads the Bible through the lenses of the poor. One of the things that gets under my skin on Sunday nights is when I turn on BET during the inspiration hours and watch many of these faith healers performing miracles on sick oppressed people. The problem I have with this is that if you pay close attention to the audience majority of them are black people. This seems to suggest that black people are the only ones with money and health problems (and we know that's not true). I thank God that first, Christ has made of free through His redemptive work on the cross. And, I thank God that our black leaders (great-grandparents, grandparents, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, etc) has made it possible for us to enjoy many advantages today because of their struggles yesterday. Why look for 40 acres and mule when we as children of God are rich in God. People experience financial hardships because of the recession that we're currently in now but also because of financial mismanagement. This is not a racial struggle it's a personal struggle because of our choices. Rev. Milton Bronson and the Thompson Community Singers had a strong years ago that said; "I'm free praise the Lord, I'm free. No longer bond, no more chains holding me".
- Crucifixion vs Lynching - Dr. Cone compares the death of Christ with the lynching of slaves. Big mistake! The lynching of slaves in the early 1800s was racially motivated. The Cross was purpose driven. There is no comparison. There is one statement that he makes that I can agree with; "The crucifixion was violent". Yes it was. 1 Peter 2 verse 24 says; "He, Himself, bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed". Jesus suffered a painful, horrible, violent death so we won't have too.
- Black People vs White People - It appears that B.L.T is racially charged and using Christianity to accomplish it's agenda. Now, has a boy who grew up in Texas, I experienced first-hand racism at it's highest tension. I've had to run home a many days because of being chased by young KKK followers. I was (along with my basketball team mates) escorted into certain white neighborhoods for games by the police and I can give so many more stories of experiencing racism. However, those experiences does not, has not, and will not shape my opinion of another race, specifically towards white people. The debate as to color of Jesus skin is a none issue. It wasn't is skin that saved me, it was His blood.
Honestly, this is not a theology I want to obtain as a Christian. It's not my blackness that shapes my Christianity, it's Christianity that shapes my person regardless of my race.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:1-6)
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