The Trinity and Race
Man is now defined as humanity rather than the individual, and this great one, humanity, to be truly a unity, must exist as one state. In this picture, any assertion of individuality, local or national independence, or the reality of races, is viewed with hostility and as a sign of mental sickness; it is an assertion of plurality which challenges the reality and unity of the universal. (Rushdoony, The One and the Many, p.17)After the horrible riots in Los Angeles in 1991 in which 55 people were killed and hundreds arrested, the drug-abusing spark of the conflagration, Rodney King, pleaded, "Can't we all get along?" No, Mr. King, we can't. Not so long as God's law is trampled upon, and the religion of humanism imposes its ideal of a man-centered social order. In the name of "unity" all references to diversity are diagnosed as symptomatic of a mental sickness.
America has become an ideological state, a "soft tyranny." where the new orthodoxy is enforced, not by police agents, but by inquisitors of the popular culture... The values of the revolution dominate the medium. Political correctness rules. Defiance of our new orthodoxy qualifies as "hate speech," disrespect for its dogmas as a sign of mental sickness. (Pat Buchanan, The Death of the West, p.89)This effect has snowballed within the white community as caucasians fear any reference to race could be met with severe reprisals from the bullies of the "politically correct." Rather than say nothing at all, guilt-ridden white Christian leaders are pushing the "Reconciliation" agenda in a way that is more humanistic than Biblical. The fallout is the continued despising of anglo-european culture, and it's gagging by political intimidation.
The Rhetoric of Reconciliation
According to the Scriptures, reconciliation is in terms of man's being restored to right relationship with God Almighty via the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in the removal of sin (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:16; Heb. 2:17). There are references to a reconciliation of community in Ephesians 2:16 that relates specifically to Jew and Gentile, and there can also be a reconciliation between husband and wife, as it states in 1 Corinthians 7:11. In all cases, the reconciliation is in Christ, and it is defined by God's law-word. It is God-centered, and espouses a clear and defined purpose.
Contemporary efforts for racial reconciliation within the Christian community are ill-defined, and lack such a clear purpose. The first reason being that it is difficult to define all outlooks upon race as sinful. No doubt, there are vile forms of racism that reduce to ridiculous ideas of racial superiority, and sport the most heinous forms of slander -- by racial superiority I mean any suggestion that other ethnic groups are somehow "less human" or incapable of the same achievements as other races. This was made clear by a comedic observation a few years ago that noted a modern racial anomaly:
"The number one rapper is white. The top golfer is black. The tallest basketball player is Chinese. France is calling us arrogant, and Germany doesn't want to go to war!"
I do subscribe to a form of superiority -- the superiority of faith, and the intolerance of false religions. I also hold that it is faith that essentially makes the difference in all cultures. This is why despite the 100+ years of Christian missionary work on the continent of Africa there remains the poverty, perversion, and unspeakable violence. Much of the "faith" the Africans have received is an arminian, antinomian gospel that elevates a rank individualism, and isolates the faith to issues of the heart. The bounty of Western society is correlative to the direct and foundational influence of Reformed Christianity, and it's application to the social order. In other words, Calvin, not Finney! Although the Dutch Reformed missionary, Andrew Murray, devoted much ministry time in Africa, his "Higher Life" gospel has left an imperceptible influence upon the structure of African society. His Calvinsim did not offset his perfectionism.
Within the sacred shores of America both faith and race are in their respective fits of struggle. The modern evangelical church is making an effort to resolve the race issues, and as mentioned, the basic theme is reconciliation. The struggle for the identity of the Christian faith within American culture is equally fervent as evangelicals are forced to address social issues in terms of their faith. What they're finding is that "they've not been this way before" (Joshua 3:4). Their pietism is insufficient in examining cultural, racial, political, or economic issues in a thoroughly Biblical manner. They stumble over the stumbling stone, and follow the political lead of the secularist. That's why ministers like Rick Warren are addressing issues like global warming. Political pressure dominates big ministries.
It is much the same with ministers seeking to address issues of race. Their approach is basic, and it overlooks essential philosophical questions. They are simply following the party line, and therefore, neglect a basic element in historical thinking -- diversity.
"I Don't See Color"
I've heard white ministers repeatedly state that they don't see color. They are color blind as it relates to people groups. This is held to be the standard. Now, any recognition of color is the devil's foothold to racism, and any spokesperson is immediately condemned in the harshest terms. This complicates the efforts of any white groups to acknowledge their history, or preserve their posterity.
Radical racists can only be addressed by direct confrontation with the power of law and gospel. Hatred must not reside within the heart of Christians committed to Biblical justice, and any wrapping of Christ around a platform of hate is a demonic mixture. But, there are other forms of racial recognition that are not sinful -- ones that represent concern within a particular community for its future. This has been predominant throughout history with all civilizations, and is still practiced in the majority of nations. A quick excursion to Japan, Korea, India, or Kenya would not be a field trip to study diverse melting pots. Rather, these are homogenous societies that are not typically listed as "hate" states.
One visits Tokyo in hopes of meeting Japanese people, viewing Japanese culture, and tasting Japanese cuisine. Yet, no one leaves Tokyo asking, "where were all the hispanics?" It is understood that Japan is predominantly populated by Japanese people. Other ethnic groups reside within its borders, but I doubt they organize against the Japanese dominated society in the name of equality. The immigrants understand the demands of the Japanese state and the moorings of Japanese culture.
The challenge in America is that ethno-centric cultural lines are blurred, traditions are fading, and socialization is forcing communities together. Despite all efforts to reconcile, race is repeatedly touted as the motive behind every social injustice. This only adds to the ethnic tension. By repeatedly displaying footage of disheveled modern Klan rallies any discussion of race conjures up the image of toothless rednecks bull-horning an NAACP march.
Granted, white people can be ignorant. As a comedian once noted, "only white people can get off a plane in Nigeria and say, 'look at all these minorities!'" Outside of ideology, it is difficult for whites to truly understand what a black, hispanic, or asian man has experienced in terms of prejudice. These experiences are all too real, and cannot be easily dismissed. But, whites do understand social hatred in the sense that they are more despised by the populace than in previous years. Whites are not permitted to acknowledge, or, God forbid, celebrate their accomplishments. White "anything" means racist. This also cannot be easily dismissed.
Race Matters
This past week engaged me in two separate discussions with two fine gentlemen regarding the implications of race. What's interesting is that one of the men was white while the other was black. Both are fine Christian men devoted to the Lord and their families. However, both were challenged by racial issues -- which prompted this post -- and these discussions made it clear to me how important race is to so many. Avoiding these concerns is no solution.
My white friend was concerned about some younger female family members that had a propensity for dating black men. His family are long-standing residents of a great southern state, and are unified in their disapproval of mixed marriages. I have met his mother and father, and they are fine Christians. But, my friend was troubled somewhat about his personal feelings. He had spent many years in multi-racial congregations, and wasn't sure that his perspective was altogether clear.
The second conversation I had was with a black gentleman who mentioned to me that many blacks were upset about the recent protesting by Latinos over illegal immigration. Apparently, blacks are displeased that such a vast ethnic group entered the country illegally and were now a source for job competition.
Both situations are valid issues, and must not be disregarded as ignorant. They represent the feelings of millions of blacks and whites. What should be apparent is that race matters; and it matters to all races. Decades after the civil rights movement race is still a paramount question in the American dialogue. Will it go away? I don't think so. Should it go away? That would be to deny our humanity. A simple illustration should make it plain that race is always a factor when considering the cultural benefits of man.
A white baby is in need of adoption, and two families would like to raise the child. Both families are white, and are virtually of the same status economically, emotionally, geographically, and spiritually. Which family shall the baby go with? It's difficult to say because either one would be ideal. However, let's say the baby in need of adoption is black, and the two families seeking to adopt are also equal in all respects with one exception: one family is white while the other is black. Which family shall the baby go with? If you said, "either one," you're likely in denial. If you said, "the black family," you've taken the first step towards genuine racial understanding. Why should the black baby go with the black family? Because race matters.
To deny this is to ascribe to a more insidious form of racism -- that of "one-racism" -- the race of humanity. This was the racial ideology concealed within the mission of the now defunct United Nations. Their goal was to erase all human distinction in lieu of a one-world state. Rushdoony perceptively uncovered the gross nature of their racial policies:
The U.N. position, ostensibly anti-racist, is no less racist than the most fervent champions of race in history. Indeed, the liberal, religion of humanity faith is simply a form of racism. There are two kinds of racism today. For the first, to belong to a particular race, white or black, Jewish or Arab, is all-important. Membership in a particular group is itself a mark of distinction and discrimination, and constitutes the dividing line. For the second form of racism, to belong to the human race is all-important. For both positions, racial membership is the test, the ticket of admission and the guarantee of status. Against this expanded or liberal form of racism, as against all forms of racism, orthodox Christianity enters a dissent. For the Christian, character, born of faith, is the test of man, not a particular race or the human race. Racial differences are recognized as real and as God-given, but the determinative fact concerning man is his relationship to God, not the fact of his humanity. This is the Biblical position; it is also the position which makes for progress by emphasizing quality. Quality is sought out and emulated. A people, discriminated against at one time, by emulation advance themselves, as witness the Irish in America. Therefore, in no uncertain terms, the orthodox Christian must regard the universal racism of the U.N. as a menace, destructive of the Christian faith and detrimental to man. (Rushdoony, The Nature of the American System, p. 142)This ideal of the one-race of humanity lies behind much of the evangelical rhetoric on reconciliation. And, unless the emphasis of "unity" is placed squarely upon the foundation of Biblical justice -- rather than base sentimentality -- the coercive power of the state will impose harmony with the sacramental "sprinkling" of the church's endorsement. The unity of humanity that disregards Biblical distinction is a social pillar to the totalitarian state. Rushdoony elucidates for us the proper and Scriptural means of social distinction:
[T]he essence of ethics is man's unity. This unity of humanity means mutual love irrespective of all moral and religious factor, irrespective of anything save the obligation to be one unified humanity. This, of course, is a radically different concept than the Christian division of mankind into the saved and the lost, the regenerate and unregenerate, the requirement of extending the second table of the law, love of neighbor and of enemy, to all persons. (Rushdoony, The Nature of the American System, p.102)Instead of denying racial distinction in the name of unity, Christians must offer the Trinity as the philosophical starting point to framing all social inquiries. Denying the particularity of the "many" grants reality to the "one." But, in the Godhead both unity and plurality have equal prominence, and this apparent contradiction is needed when approaching the race issue. The U.N. solution of the "one" will end in tyranny. The emphasis of the modern church upon the "one" only creates an ostensible unity while Christians -- like my two friends -- conceal genuine racial concerns within their hearts -- hesitant to speak up because of the threat of ignorant backlash.
I have so many dear brethren that are black, hispanic, asian, and white. I've preached in predominantly black churches, fulfilled an interim pastorship at a Korean congregation, and worked side-by-side with many fine black and hispanic Christian leaders. A good many of them recognize these same problems, and we are all agreed that we must look to the Lord for answers.
Denying diversity is not helpful. It is most needed in fully comprehending the needs and concerns of each community. The foundation, as Rushdoony mentioned, is character -- Christian character -- the applying of the second table of the law to whomever we meet. This was Moses' declaration to the people of Israel:
And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (Deut. 4:8)It's difficult to predict where our nation is headed. Not since the 1960s have we witnessed such mass social upheaval. My prayer is that you and I will remain faithful and informed, so that we might be prepared to offer solutions to an increasingly disillusioned American citizenry.
