The conversation between black and white Christians may be painful, but it is necessary. We must learn to listen in the Spirit.
Most of us don’t have an issue with speaking our minds. We should be reminded that the undisciplined tongue “is set on fire by hell itself” (James 3:6 NLT). Most of us have a hearing problem. On the day of Pentecost, when the crowds heard the disciples of Jesus speaking in tongues they were bewildered (Acts 2:6). What sounded like worship to some, sounded like chaos to others. What appeared to be a group of drunks to some, was actually men and women filled with the Holy Spirit. The words and sounds of the Spirit must be rightly heard. That’s why the gift of interpretation is so important. Interpretation requires listening in the Spirit.
The problem is that words and images must be understood in the proper context, from the experience of the speaker, and the listener. Let me offer a few examples of how black and white Christians in the USA hear each other.
“Blue lives matter!” White Christians appeal to law and order and demand that the police be respected. On the other hand, many black Christians remember the not too distant past when local law enforcement was the tool of white supremacy that denied their civil rights. When a white police officer kills a black man on the streets of the United States, that image provokes terror in black minds.
“It’s a political conspiracy!” During the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Martin Luther King, Jr. was often accused of being a communist sympathizer. So, today when many white Christians fear a socialist revolution; many black Christians hear accusations against their leaders and remember when the real political conspiracy was directed against black civil rights.
“Black lives matter!” The justified complaints of black Christians have too long and too often been dismissed by white Christians. So, when someone declares that black lives matter, black Christians raise their voices in unison to declare, “AMEN!” The white response of “all lives matter” is viewed with skepticism, because too many black families remember the not too distant past when black lives didn’t matter. To dismiss their cries today is to continue to insist that black lives don’t matter.
“We need to uphold Christian values!” Many white Christians hear this as a call to revival. Many black Christians remember this as the language of oppression, of white supremacy and the KKK. After all, slavery was defended as a biblical institution and segregation has been promoted as God’s will.
These are just a few examples of how God’s people, white and black, interpret the same words differently. The silence of white Christian leaders in past decades has given credence to accusations of white apathy and even duplicity.
This also demonstrates how difficult and painful the forthcoming conversations will be. In fact, the conversations may prove so painful that many will walk away.
Indeed, I believe in the authority of the Holy Scriptures and the primacy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is to be proclaimed to all nations and people. The church of Jesus Christ is many diverse tribes and tongues, united in devotion of God and love for each other. The church transcends national politics.
We must acknowledge that the language of racial politics has failed us. The issue of racism must transcend the politics of this age. I pray that white Christians will open their hearts to the complaints of our black brothers and sisters. Likewise, I pray that black Christians will open their hearts to white brothers and sisters of good will. We must move beyond fear and skepticism. We must be a people of new creation – old things pass away and new things come. We must speak with new tongues, and listen with anointed ears.
