BLACK LIVES MATTER: What We Believe (An Evangelical Rejoinder)

The greatness and uniqueness of our country started in its being the destination for people who were dissatisfied and disenfranchised by their government’s civil and religious restrictions. Moving forward, an unappreciated and exploited populous rose up against a mighty empire and fought and gained its independence. A divisive civil war united this country on the thinnest of economic and racial lines which was held together by a Constitution which allows continuous amendments to ensure equality for every citizen and for those who desired to come and invest in this experiment of governance by and for the people.

Every step along the way has been challenged and debated by every conceivable philosophical, economic, religious, humanistic and political worldview whose origin dates back to the earliest of ancient times. The thinking of many who conclude that what we are experiencing in our country is unprecedented have no appreciation of world history nor American history. There have always been and there will always be movements to address and give redress to every conceivable political, religious, social, civil and racial differences and conflicts, not only in America, but globally. Since, in fact, every emendation of these factions is embedded in our nation, we are stronger, not weaker, in our quest for a governance model for civil rights and social and economic justice.

Black Lives Matter has come on the scene in the last two decades and their prominence, propelled by social media and the horrific death of Mr. George Floyd, is another welcomed voice in the struggle for social justice. Their recent 10-point Manifesto against police brutality and racial injustice is both insightful and well intentioned. Notwithstanding, like any movement that puts its agenda in the marketplace of ideas for acceptance as a viable strategy for social change, it must withstand the scrutiny and evaluation from other well-intentioned movements and suasions which have proven to be effective.

The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s stands as the most effective movement to date that has brought the historic racial inequities perpetrated against African Americans to the public’s eye. The effectiveness of their strategy has resulted in the celebrated advancement of African Americans in every walk of life. Consider a comparison between the historic Civil Rights movement and newly founded Black Lives Matter movement:

Historic Civil Rights Movement

Black Lives Matter

Founded & Led by Masculine

Personalities

Founded and Led by Feminine

Personalities

Christian in Scope

Humanistic in Scope

Major Accomplishments:

Constitutional Amendment and Voter Rights Legislation

Major Accomplishment:

-Yet to be Determined-

Every social movement that has as its agenda the alleviation of social injustice and racial inequities is welcomed into the arena of debate but it must be scrutinized by the community at large and judged by those who lend their support to the process. Key to this process is the support of the African American church.

The early Negro church became the first major institution which was under complete Black control. It is of no small wonder that it was through its influence that social change was initiated. It is also of no small wonder that it was unrivaled as a political, economic, social and cultural organism where the historic roots of Black people’s aspirations for liberation were collectively voiced.

The historic takeaway is that the first organized effort to unite African Americans for social change was religious and the leadership was predominantly masculine and Christian. Of equal consideration is how the African American church resisted compromise by not aligning itself with other competing movements that could diminish its efforts. Some of the more notable influences were radical theologies like Liberation Theology and Black Theology. The African American Church also resisted any umbrella association with the political entities like the Black Panther Party and the Nation of Islam. Unfortunately, it was through the impact of Mahatma Gandhi that the leadership of the Civil Rights movement adopted the non-biblical strategy of non-violence as a sympathetic tool to garner emotional appeal. Nevertheless, this strategy got the desired results as the nation saw for the first time the brutality inflicted on African Americans in the South.

The Black Lives Matter movement will never garner such sympathetic appeal for two reasons. First, it has an imbedded humanistic ideology at its core, and second, it has the support of radical associations which take advantage of its popularity to foster their own agenda for change.

Historically, Humanism embraced a philosophical stance that emphasized the value and agency of human beings, both individually and collectively. It viewed humans as solely responsible for the promotion and development of individuals and emphasized concern for humans in relation to the world. However, in modern times, humanist movements centered on human agency while looking to science rather than revelation for a supernatural source to understand the world. “Secular” humanism is a comprehensive life stance or worldview that embraces human reason and human based morality and distributive justice. Important is the fact that it consciously rejects supernatural claims, theistic faith and religiosity. “Personal” humanism is an ethical life stance which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It too, is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.

Whether knowingly or not, the founders of Black Lives Matters have embraced this ancient-to-modern philosophy that has reviled Christianity through the centuries. As in any well thought out activist document that expresses actions and desired outcomes, many of the adherents to that movement embrace the rhetoric without giving serious thought to its underlining core values. However, in their document, “What We Believe,” there are glaring assumptions, inconsistencies and implications that run afoul of evangelical Christianity. Consider two observations:

  1. Throughout their document, imbedded expressions such as sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, cisgender privilege, Black trans folk, Black trans women, queer-affirming network, and freedom from the tight grip of heterosexual thinking send a clear and unambiguous orientation about their stance on human sexuality.
  2. The assumption that the nuclear family is a Western construct is incorrect. The nuclear family is the foundational institution in every society. It is the demise of the nuclear family in the Black community that has produced fatherless households, genocidal levels of abortion, and the proliferation of gangs resulting in Black-on-Black violence. All of which is a clear indication that the Black community is still struggling with the historic psychological chains of slavery.

In spite of their compelling message, another reason why Black Lives Matters will not garner widespread support is that it has not, or better yet, was not able to protect its brand from the more radical organizations which marched with them and under their banner. Some of these groups not only have a different message but they also have a more radical approach to social change which boarders on anarchy and Marxism. It’s too late and practically impossible now to separate the Black Lives Matter agenda from the hateful rhetoric and pictures of rioting and anarchy in spite of their eloquent and passionate denunciations.

The whole world is watching our nation. How we handle our social and racial problems will impact the whole world. The global issues of racism, ethnic violence, destructive tribalism, casteism, mistreatment and abuse of immigrants, enslavement of the vulnerable, and the glorification of gratuitous violence manifest themselves in many forms in every culture. Is there a global strategy and solution that can bring peace to a world that has been traumatized by hatred? Yes. The only solution is the global impact of the gospel of Jesus Christ which the Church has been commissioned to initiate.

Rev. Dr. Olah L. Moore

Senior Pastor

Faith Community Church

Fccnorfolk.org


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Church Lives Matter

Scripture teaches that we need each other and shouldn’t withdraw from each other’s fellowship, instruction, encouragement, and accountability. It’s unbiblical to imagine that we can successfully seek God and grow in community on our own (Cf. Hebrews 10:24-25; “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as we see the day approaching.”)

This phrase “let us,” grammatically points to an inclusive “group command” encouraging all of us to be involved in this “one another” dynamic with the expectancy that we will all be obedient. The Apostle Paul’s writings consistently reinforce this theme.

We all need to be Christ-centered in our behavior. In addition, we all need to be grace-driven in our community and intentionally focused globally. All of this is necessary if the church is going to be the redemptive community as Christ intended it to be!

With this in mind, consider these 7 thoughts that speaks to what the church is meant to do and be in God’s sight:

  1. Our church is meant to enlighten and protect. (Ephesians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 13:7)
  2. Our church is meant to rescue and restore. (2 Peter 2:9; Galatians 6:1)
  3. Our church is meant to instill hope and courage. (Romans 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14)                                                 
  4. Our church is meant to rebuke and confront. (2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 2:11)
  5. Our church is meant to give sound warning and vision. (1 Corinthians 10:11; Acts 26:19)
  6. Our church is meant to demonstrate the love and grace of Christ in our community. (1 Corinthians Chapter13; Colossians 4:6)
  7. Our church is meant to be proactive in reaching the nations to produce churches just like ours. (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20)

Yes, CHURCH LIVES MATTER! And YOU are the church!

Faith Community Church: Our Church Purpose

To bring people, by His Spirit, into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ and an accountable relationship with His people, and to equip believers for both local and world missions, to the glory of God.


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Taking God’s Name in Vain

In Exodus 20:7, the 3rd Commandment says, “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.” What does this mean? The common thought is the God’s actual name should not be used in any way that dishonors Him. It is thought that as long as we do not use God’s name in cursing or in a profane way we have honored this commitment. Although this is true in our faith as it is true in any religious faith, the purpose embodied in this commandment goes much deeper in a very profound way.

When you take a person’s name, it implies a covenant relationship with that person. For example, when a wife takes the surname of her husband, it implies a covenant relationship characterized by unconditional love and fidelity. When this covenant relationship is violated, it is common that divorce results and the person who violated the covenant is ostracized.

Using this analogy, what then is the scriptural intent of what it means to “take” the name of the Lord in vain? One of the great theological disciplines is the study of the names of God. Although the actual number of the names of God that are revealed in Scripture is debated, what is agreed is that the names of God reveal His attributes as well as the essence of His character, which is sometimes referred to as His communicable attributes i.e. those attributes that we, as humans, can possess.

At the incarnation of Jesus Christ, that is, when He became human, He became the personification of God in every way. This truth is at the very heart of our Trinitarian belief. His character and conduct were on full display which is a major theme in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In the Gospel of John, Jesus emphatically stated that to see Him was to see the Father. The study Jesus’ character and conduct as seen in His humanity is a study of God the Father in every way that we can humanly comprehend. This is dramatically seen in Jesus teachings in the beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-13. Jesus’ expectations of kingdom citizens were not only clearly taught, but they were also seen in His character and conduct. A parallel illustration of these expectations is also seen in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul’s description of the expected character of believers, which is prompted by the fruit of the Spirit of God, includes love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When we believe in Jesus Christ, we take on all the expectant kingdom citizen traits as well as the spiritual fruit that is prompted by the Holy Spirit. In essence. Taking the “name” of the Lord is tantamount of displaying all these traits in one’s life. So to take the name of the Lord in vain is to live one’s life in the absence of, or not being aware that with the name “Christian” comes the Scriptural expectations that God desires us to mirror the full stature and person of

Jesus Christ in everything we say and do. Anything short of this is taking His name in vain.

In one of the great conditional promises of God to His people recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God addresses His people as those who are called by His name. From God’s perspective, there is a spiritual and physical reality in the promise offered based on His covenant relationship with His people. The challenge before each one of us today is no different. We are called “Christians” based on our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. We must live in such a way where our character and conduct reflect the person of Jesus Christ. Let us live in such a way that God is glorified in our lives even as Jesus Christ lived and glorified His Father, who is in heaven.

Rev. Dr. Olah L. Moore


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A Biblical Manifesto for Millennials

In Psalm 119:9-16, the acknowledged audience would not be children, but young adults between ages 18 and 34 years old who are called millennials. Millennials make up the largest generation in this age range in U.S. history, they are slower to marry than earlier generations, and more likely to live at home longer, subsequently waiting to move out and live on their own. Sadly, the millennial generation has also been labeled the worst generation ever because so many are involved in immoral behavior. At the same time, however, they are the most educated, with many becoming involved in political issues and social causes. But there is a segment of millennials in the Christian Faith.

What (these) Christian millennials need is a “Biblical Manifesto” to govern their lives, giving them purpose in this dark and spiritually dead world. A manifesto is defined as a written document publicly declaring the intentions, motives, or views of its issuers. It is a strategy or plan to accomplish a desired action. Historic examples on ministers include The Communist Manifesto, the Protestant Manifesto, and the Civil Rights Manifesto. Psalm 119:9-16 is an excellent manifesto for Christian millennials.

Psalm 119:9-10 reads,

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your . I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.”

 
The decisions we make when we are young, form habits that are hard to break when we get older. This is true for both good and bad habits. A ‘pure life’ is more than simply a moral life. A pure life encompasses the totality of our life, which includes both character and conduct. A scriptural example of a positive outcome of this commitment is seen in the life of Daniel, when he was a millennial. It is recorded that Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine, which were against the moral dictates of his faith. God honored Daniel’s commitment and he prospered politically. Growing up, we sang a song with words that motivated us to make such a commitment—“Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone, dare to trust the Word of God, dare to make Him known.” This sums up the foundation of this Biblical Manifesto: To live according to God’s Word.Psalm 119:11 reads,

“ I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

Christian parents often express that when their young adults go off to their universities, one of the major problems is that these millennials often ‘lose their faith’ and get involved in all sorts of sinful activities. It is easy to lay the cause of this on the church and the parents. While it is true that both the church and the parents must fulfill their institutional and familial responsibilities, this verse places the responsibility where it should be placed, squarely on the millennial. To ‘hide’ God’s Word in one’s heart means to treasure it as being important. What is more important than not sinning against the God of the universe? Sin is used here in reference to its genera nature, not to any specific aspect or act of sin. Hence, it covers the totality of one’s thoughts, words, and actions. In short, sin here is not simply related to what we

do that is wrong, but it also covers what we do not  do, which honors God.Psalm 119:12-16 reads, “Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips, I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth. I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.”

 
In any manifesto, there must be a well laid out strategy. In these verses, the writer lists four steps to accomplish this mandate. First, one must pray. There are two prayers: The psalmist prays for God not to let him stray from His commands, and that God would teach him His decrees. We need to pray the types of prayers that only God can answer. As a personal testimony, I would have never imagined that as I sincerely prayed this prayer, that God would give me the opportunity to go to seminary to study His Word and teach scores of millennials in West Africa, which was an answer to their many prayers. Second, don’t be afraid to vocalize what you believe. The psalmist states emphatically that he would speak of God’s moral standards to others. Speak out, everyone else boldly speaks of their worldview and moral propensities. Third, millennials must discipline their minds to think on spiritual realities. The essence of meditation is to visualize the spiritual in order the its reality may become one’s life reality and experience. And finally, fourth, even if one has an== abundance of the knowledge of God’s Word, it means absolutely nothing unless on commits to obey it. Obedience to God’s Word is always the litmus test of genuine Christianity.
“Why call me Lord, Lord, and do hot what I command you to do?”
Luke 46:6 
Will you dare to be a Daniel?!?
Rev. Dr. Olah L. Moore

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