In response to my comment that the use of the cross of Christ by racists is a perversion and a rejection of the God who shows no partiality, who created us in his image and who created us all in Adam so that we would all be connected, RJohnson left this comment:
At one time in this country such views regarding Christianity were the majority. In 1823 Rev. Dr. Richard Furman wrote the following exposition on behalf of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. It was sent to the governor of South Carolina outlining the Convention’s belief that Scripture supported slavery as practiced in the United States.
Over a hundred years later Virginia Judge Leon Bazile wrote the following in a decision supporting that state’s ban on interracial marriage:
“Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, Malay and red, and He placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with His arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that He separated the races shows that He did not intend for the races to mix.”
These were once accepted as the Scriptural teachings regarding race. Thankfully over the years our understanding of Scripture has improved to the point that we now see the Bible as being completely opposed to such notions. We also see how the misinterpretation and misapplication of passages taken out of context was used in the past less to advance the cause of Christ than to advance the benefit of man. Dr. Furman was an ardent abolitionist until he inherited some slaves, at which time his views on slavery changed (surprise, surprise.)
That some people held a position that whites were superior to blacks and could be owned by Christians at some point in our nation’s history doesn’t mean that this was the universally held position, remember Christianity is a world-wide religion that has been in existence for millennia. When it was founded the message spread around the world, everyone who heard it knew that it was for them as well. Luke makes this point by singling out the conversion of an Ethiopian:
Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Christians have spent many years in Africa bringing the gospel to those who desperately need it. David Livingstone poured out his life for the Africans because he understood that Christ’s death was for them as well. Just about every denomination has sent missionaries to Africa to establish churches, schools, hospitals and seminaries. They all knew what the slave owners and the racists refuse to acknowledge: that the death of Christ means that all those who believe in Christ are united in his death and resurrection and that in our new life we share a bond together that cannot be broken by race. They believed in the new song:
ESV Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
There were men who fought hard to end slavery here in America and in England. Wilberforce lead a parliamentary campaign that continued until laws were passed to end the slave trade and to abolish slavery in England and then England urged other nations to give up slavery as well. All this took place between 1807-1833, as you can see the Rev. Dr. Richard Furman’s views weren’t universally held. And they weren’t widely held in America as well. Many Christians were speaking out around this time, calling it a sin. Christians like Charles G. Finney, Lyman Beecher and Nathaniel Taylor.
And at the same time that the white slave owners were justifying owning slaves by appealing to Scripture, the slaves had a much clearer of Scripture and the God who was there for them. They knew that Christ died for them as well:
There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
Sometimes I feel discouraged
And think my work’s in vain
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again
Don’t ever feel discouraged
For Jesus is your friend
And if you lack of knowledge
He’ll ne’er refuse to lend
If you cannot preach like Peter
If you cannot pray like Paul
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say, “He died for all”.
And through the years, when men dressed in hoods and burned crosses on their lawns, blacks knew that whites didn’t own Jesus, they didn’t own that cross, he was their God and Savior too:
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heavenly home
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
“Let not your heart be troubled”
His tender word I hear
And resting on His goodness
I loose my doubts and fears
Tho’ by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
Whenever I am tempted
Whenever clouds arise
When song gives place to sighing
When hope within me dies
I draw the closer to Him
For care He sets me free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
And who can forget the song that we all learned as children:
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
No, this understanding hasn’t evolved, it’s been acknowledged throughout church history by every generation that understands what Christ’s death means for humanity, when we’re all assembled before Christ’s throne singing our new song and worshiping our king together. Amen, Christians?
posted November 10, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Michele, I never said that slavery was endorsed universally in Christendom. However, it most certainly was a majority view of Christians in our nation that slavery was a natural use of the non-white races found here or brought here. We find this belief even in Christopher Columbus’ journal written as he explored the New World:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/Columbus1.html
“It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion. They very quickly learn such words as are spoken to them. If it please our Lord, I intend at my return to carry home six of them to your Highnesses, that they may learn our language. I saw no beasts in the island, nor any sort of animals except parrots.” These are the words of the Admiral. ”
Not equals. Not trading partners. But servants. This was again a commonly held belief among Europeans that the other, non-European races were given to them as servants by God. Columbus’ assertion was endorsed by Papal Bull in 1493 from Pope Alexander VI.
Even after this there were Popes who were vocal in supporting the slave trade. In 1548 Pope Paul III confirmed slaves could be owned by any individual, and that runaway slaves were to be returned to their owners and punished. Popes Urban VIII, Innocent X and Alexander VII all purchased and sold Muslim slaves.
Was slavery universally held from the beginnings of Christendom? Certainly not. However neither was it universally condemned. Often, when Christendom found itself in position of being supported by the governing powers instead of opposed, it quickly adapted to endorse the enslavement of those peoples conquered by the state.
There were strong opponents of this within the church, and you have mentioned many of them. Wilberforce (and another Christian, Thomas Clarkson) faced opposition to his abolitionist position from within the English church, which was fearful of the revolution that was beginning in France as well as reports of slave revolts. It took him and his supporters just over twenty years to get Parliament to pass the law abolishing the slave trade.
And yes, there certainly were a Christian voices in the states speaking against slavery. However, there were also as many speaking in favor of it. Again, Furman’s letter was written at the behest of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, at the direction of the assembled delegates. It was not an individual’s work, but represented the view of the delegates at the convention.
Leander wrote the following in his “Quaestiones Morales Theologicae”:
“It is certainly a matter of faith that this sort of slavery in which a man serves his master as his slave, is altogether lawful. This is proved from Holy Scripture…It is also proved from reason for it is not unreasonable that just as things which are captured in a just war pass into the power and ownership of the victors, so persons captured in war pass into the ownership of the captors… All theologians are unanimous on this.”
The churches position most certainly has evolved with regards to slavery. Today major church leaders condemn not only the positions held by their predecessors, but also modern slavery. They, like you and I, hold the egalitarian view of Scripture that teaches the equality of all before the Throne of God. I can find no major Christian leader today who endorses the practice of slavery. But it has taken millenia to reach that point, as history clearly shows us.
Today, and for many years now, there are voices within the church speaking out for acceptance of homosexuals on an equal footing as heterosexuals. Just like the abolitionists of old, these people turn to the Scripture and see a loving God who does not condemn people for who they are, nor does he endorse the oppression of them.
The church’s view is evolving, Michele. Just as it evolved with regards to slavery, it is evolving with regards to homosexuality. In time perhaps our grandchildren, maybe our great-grandchildren will look back on today’s views with the same sadness, pity and regret as you and I look back on the words of Christian leaders of the past (and present) who misrepresent the Scriptures with regards to racial and gender equality.
posted November 10, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Defensive, much?
posted November 10, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I think back to a time when women like you were not allowed to vote, write, or do much of anything except raise a family. In fact, someone like you would not exist one hundred years ago, or have the freedom YOU easily take for granted. Without women’s suffrage, you would not have a voice. Popular opinion of that day which included the church, was that women should be seen and not heard. So, lets stop all progress for everyone. Let’s throw all that feminist stuff out. And you, my dear are out of a job.
posted November 10, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I can certainly name many non-Christian groups for whom the cross has meant anything but cheer.
posted November 10, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Human nature, unfortunately, has resulted in religion being used as a weapon in far too many cases. Christianity is not exempt from this abuse. An honest review of history will show that some people have used Christianity, just as they have used Judaism, atheism, and any other faith or philosophy, as a tool to advance their causes.
We are fortunate that there are usually a group of people to stand up against such abuses and misapplication of religious faith. Sometimes they are successful in turning back the tide, sometimes they are not, at least not immediately successful. As has been pointed out by Michele, the abolitionist movement took generations to grow to the point where it could stand toe-to-toe with those who endorsed slavery. Once that tipping point was reached, once enough people agreed with the abolitionists, inroads were made against slavery.
Real change takes time, hard work, and convincing the hearts of people. We are seeing that change slowly move through our nation when it comes to granting full citizenship rights to members of the GLBT community. The tipping point has been reached. We simply need to keep working, keep praying, and keep speaking the truth.
posted November 11, 2008 at 7:20 am
R. there is no “right” to gay marriage.
Repeat as often as needed.
posted November 11, 2008 at 4:53 pm
MzEllen, there is no right to marriage, period. In days gone past the government was not in the marriage business, and I do wish we could return to that. But the genie is out of the bottle there.
Prior to the Loving decision, the government (both federal and state) extended tax, legal and social benefits to married couples where both parties were of the same race. Many states refused to extend these rights to couples where the partners were of different races.
Do you believe the Lovings were wrong to take their case to the Virginia state courts and, later, to the US Supreme Court? Should they have waited for the state legislature to change the law? Should they have waited for a popular referendum to change the law?
posted November 11, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Yes, Amen!
posted November 13, 2008 at 1:24 pm
“If the central religious theme [in Neolithic times] was a woman giving birth and not, as in our time, a man dying on a cross, it would not be unreasonable to infer that life and the love of life – rather than death and the fear f death – were dominant in society as well as art.” – Riane Eisler
“If Jesus were to come today, people would not even crucify him. They would ask him to dinner, and hear what he had to say, and make fun of it.” – Thomas Carlyle
“When the missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible. – Jomo Kenyatta
“Why does it not say anywhere in the Bible that slavery is wrong?… How is it possible that it is not immoral to own another person? Why isn’t that one of the Ten Commandments? ‘Thou shalt not own another person.’ You want to sit there and tell me that fornication is worse than owning someone.” – Mira Sorvino
“Religions are like fireflies. They require darkness in order to shine.” Arthur Schopenhauer
“God required his son to suffer in order to save the world. That is an image of God as a child abuser, and Jesus is imaged as the perfect victim. He accepts the abuse and does it silently. He is praised in his religious community for accepting abuse as the highest form of love… If ‘this is] the virtue of God’s son… how is the victim of the priest’s abuse going to find a justification for raising a protest?… Hos is the church going to see the perpetrators of abuse clearly if it can’t see its own conceptualization of God as abuser? – Rebbecca Ann Parker
“What after all is the cross of Jesus Christ? It is nothing but the sum total of a sadomasochistic glorification of pain. Christianity has not failed the ideals of its founder: Christ has failed. Corrupt in its very essence, the gospel of Christ alone has persecuted Jews, defamed the female and suppressed sexuality.” Joachim Kahl
posted November 13, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I should have added before that Jomo Kenyatta’s quote is right on point. The idea that most Africans would look at Livingstone as a hero is risible. They see him as a colonizer — no more, no less.
Most Christians throughout history (Livingstone no doubt included) have probably had good intentions on the question of race relations. But even a cursory reading of history would simultaneously confirm that has not always, or even often, resulted in good outcomes.