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Theology in the News

Black Power from the Pulpit

In wake of Obama's speech, author talks about The Decline of African American Theology.

Interview by Collin Hansen | posted 3/20/2008 09:27AM

Sen. Barack Obama sought in his speech Tuesday to answer critics who have called on the Democratic presidential candidate to account for his former pastor's anti-American sermons. Jeremiah Wright, longtime ...

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TBetts

Posted: April 02, 2008 11:53 AM

The issue is neither Barack Obama nor Jeremiah Wright. As stated in this excellent interview, the issue is a gospel other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such a gospel may invoke emotional responses and facilitate a temporal sense of excitement in the Sunday morning experience amidst the local congregation, but it has no effectual power to save souls, change hearts or any of the eternally significance. Our agenda should not be pro-black, pro-political party or even pro-church at the expense of relegating Christ to a secondary or tertiary position. Chirst is all or nothing at all.

Scott

Posted: April 01, 2008 7:48 PM

The only thing I got out of this piece is that Jeremiah Wright, who I first saw in person when he came to to Fuller Seminary to speak when I was a student there, is on target. The white evangelical church is so captive to the gospel of America that it cannot hear the Bible. What Wright says is what I hear when I read Jeremiah, Amos, John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ. Juat as the false prophets and the people wanted to hear messages that simple upheld national exceptionalism and salvation, white evangelicals tend to have "itching ears." It will take nothing less than the judgment of God to shake them out their idolatry, just as the Exile and destruction of Jerusalem did for the Jewish psyche.

Carlos

Posted: March 31, 2008 6:33 PM

I concur with the general position of Mr. Hansen's article. To the question, is black liberation theology biblical or not? No, it most certainly is not, because the problem of SIN, which permeates the entire human 'race' has no 'color' whatsoever. Jesus did not come to liberate us from political, social, or ethnic prejudice, but, from the UTTER BONDAGE of SIN, which affects all men. To the extent that a man, regardless of color, is truly set free from the bondage of SIN, is the extent to which he/she will relate to his brother/sister, regardless of color. What I believe, is not been dealt with in this age long problem, is the distinct, historic, cultural 'habits' and traditions, which is expressed in very different ways, from culture to culture. I.e., Spanish people, express themselves entirely different to Chinese, so do whites from blacks, this is not necessarily wrong, or bad, but because of 'SIN' it sometimes can have a very negative impact. The Gospel of Christ, must remain!

cjs58

Posted: March 28, 2008 1:26 PM

If you take Mr. Hansen's article on face value and leave out all the political junk tossed in in the comments section, you are left with a fairly interesting critique. Is black liberation theology biblical or not? That's the central question. Mr. Hansen seems to believe it has strayed too far from the Bible. I would tend to think you can make similar arguments about any Christian tradition that tries to put too much of an emphasis on politics.

Moses

Posted: March 28, 2008 10:42 AM

Rev. Wright preaches out of the bible and prophetic tradition. When he sees the sins of a nation, he condemns it as Rev. Pat Robertson, the late Rev. Jerry Fallwell, and Rev. Hagee do. Do you think his comments are out of line? Read Isaiah 10:5-11 where God uses one of Israel's enemies against Israel. Read the call of Isaiah in ch. 6 where God cals Isaiah to preach "until cities lie waste without ininhabitant . . ." Read Jeremiah 4:16 where Jeremiah preaches judgement against Jerusalem. Hosea chastises Israel in ch. 9:1, equating Israel with a whore. Just as the prophets loved and condemned Israel, Rev. Wright loves and condemns America to get this country to confess its sins to God. Barack should not be villified for having Rev. Wright as his pastor. Barack's call for racial and economic equality, health insurance for all, among others, is a result of being at a church that not only preaches the Word of God, but embodies it. "Faith without works is dead," says James 2:17.

John Doe

Posted: March 28, 2008 5:42 AM

It is apparent to me that the white evangelicals amongst us are quite happy and content to continue to have Sunday morning the most segregated hour in America. The absolute hypocrisy of the same people that voted for Bush blindly in the last two elections because he was a "christian" and Dobson gave him the thumbs-up. Now these people hear for the first time in their lives a politician like Obama speak honestly about race and his faith and rather than recognize him for the gift he is we cling to our stubborn prejudices and say no; he's not ready. We don't want to be in the forefront of bridging the huge racial divide in this country so we'll support McCain; at least he's white. Jesus is probably appalled that so many believe they can love God who they have not seen and yet hate their brother who they have seen. I believe that the Church body as a whole has long shirked it's responsibility to be in the forefront of healing the racial divide in this country.A house divided cannot stand.

Hypcorisy and Inconsistency?

Posted: March 26, 2008 10:35 PM

I think an issue that continues to be glossed over is that Dr. Jeremiah Wright was preaching against the hypocrisy and inconsistency that has historically plagued our great nation. After all, the Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." However, this has not applied to African Americans (remember 400+ years of slavery? Remember segregation, etc?). At the core of Rev. Wright's message is that Jesus came to set the captives free, even if they are Black.

Discerning Believer

Posted: March 26, 2008 9:38 PM

Rev. Anyabwile doesn’t live in America. He lives in the Cayman Islands. His reference to Rod Parsley surprised me but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore since Christianity Today is moving away from Biblical truths itself. Then CT links to a site called Mother Jones, obviously not a Christian site. Rod Parsley’s preaching doesn’t compare to Jeremiah Wright’s.****** I’ve visited African-American churches, one of which I joined. I eventually left that prominent AA church due to the new pastor’s mocking of Israel and for preaching a social gospel contrary to the Bible. A year later the pastor was forced to leave. Other than that mocking statement, there’s still no comparison to Rev. Wright’s preaching. There’s usually a dramatic conclusion to AA preaching but most of what I’ve heard is Biblical drama, not cursing. The prominent black mega churches are often preaching a social gospel now rather than Biblical truth. Research “Rev. James Meeks, Chicago, advisor to Obama.”

MDub	Posted: March 25, 2008 1:29 PM

This article is a sham. Let’s debate the soundness of his doctrine that avoids loving humanity as Jesus commands his true disciples. He needs to read his Bible and its history to study Covenant, the Prophets, Masada, and the Kingdom of God. Let’s also review history and look at the political aspects to the Protestant Reformation in Europe and the Puritans in America. Then maybe he can explain to me why unlike every other community African Americans should ignore politics in their theology. Thabiti can only exercise his rights as an American because of the sacrifices of Christian martyrs whose legacy he disrespects to appeal to a closed minded sect. Why doesn’t he address all the KKK members who held his same “sound” biblical theology? Has Thabiti addressed the American churches defense of abortion and Jim Crow in you book? Wake up all churches need reformation!

Derek

Posted: March 25, 2008 12:58 PM

Jay, what planet do you come from? What does Barack's name have to do with anything? Gee, what happens if someone has a "buddhist", "hindi", or "animist" name?! What is your implication?. Are you saying that a "Christian" name makes you a "good" person? Ever wonder how many CHRISTIANS don't have a "Christian" name? (If you ever get around to reading a Bible, check out Apollos, Artemas, Nympha, Hermes, Epaphroditis -- was Paul hanging out with the wrong people!) GET A CLUE! Jay, have you thought about changing your name something more befitting of your post...?

Lance

Posted: March 24, 2008 11:32 PM

Jay, What does Barracks name have to do with anything? Did you choose your own name? Did you know that the name Barrack is in the Bible? If you led Muhamad Ali to Christ and he did not change his name does that mean that he is not a Christian. I am ashamed of those Christians such as yourself that seem to think that they can question Senator Barrack Hussain Obama's Christianity just because of his name. If your middle name was Adolf would I be wrong to assume that you are a crazed maniac anti-semite?

Bishop James I Feel God Brown

Posted: March 24, 2008 7:24 PM

Are Black Preachers The Only Ones Who Must Shut-up about God's Responses To America's Problems? I have a problem! ~~~ Read Everything At http://www.ifeelgod.org ~~~ As a Black Pastor, who historically has been a Ronald Reagan Republican and who voted for Barak Obama in the Texas primary, I have a problem!! I admit it. I believe that God does execute retribution on nations and communities that turn their back from the tenets and the principles of his word. As much as I understood both Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell's opinions about 9/11, even though they are unpopular, I also understand those of Jeremiah Wright. I have posted my response to the Barak Obama / Jeremiah Wright flap on my blog ~~~ http://www.ifeelgod.org ~~~ Please leave your comments In Him, JMb <>< Bishop James 'I Feel God' Brown The Internet's Favorite Pastor www.1000churches.org www.poorpreacher.com www.ifeelgod.org www.ifghosting.com www.youcanplaygospel.co

Ron Smith

Posted: March 24, 2008 8:21 AM


Black Liberation theology is as unscriptural and as hermeneutically twisted now as when I first heard it 30 years ago from James Cone himself when I was a seminary student in the Boston area.

Bill	Posted: March 23, 2008 10:38 PM

Wright never said anything racist(racism- belief that a race is innately superior to another, also that one can deprive someone of something becasue of it), he did neither, his words where racially charged, there is a difference.He said Jesus was black probably becasue composit sketches from scholars make Jesus look more like a light-skinned african american than the euro centric Jeus of "The Passion" and the white looking Jesus everyone in the U.S. pictures when you say Jesus. http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/12/25/face.jesus/index.html. Plus for him to say America of kkk must be put in context of a man who spent much of his life in a nation with legalized segeration and where blacks where second class citizens. Sheltered, middle-class, suburbanites, who don't know much about civil rights and African-American history other than "MLK had a dream and Rosa Parks sat down", should stop lecturing african-americans about issues they don't even know about. Please learn ur history.

Sergey

Posted: March 23, 2008 10:54 AM


No repentance? “In first Easter sermon, new pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ compares media frenzy surrounding Rev. Jeremiah Wright to Jesus' death” http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/23/in-eastor-sermon-trinity-united-pastor-compares-rev- wright-to-jesus/

Catalyst James

Posted: March 22, 2008 11:53 PM

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! As one who works among a wide range of ethnicities that struggle with the same issues of poverty, addiction, prostitution, illiteracy and the wide range of issues in between; Reverend Wright's sermon has angered me beyond belief (As well as Rod Parsley's). I find it amazing that the minister's of large and small congregations have time to preach politically charged messages on Sunday, when hopelessness abounds in our world. How does relating America's involvement in 911, utlizing WMD's, and other politically charged issues provide the HOPE that Christ bring hope to the world? Maybe because I have been called to minister to the least of these has clouded my conception of reality, but I still cling to and preach the cross that provides the only lasting hope for all people no matter who or what they are.

Steve

Posted: March 22, 2008 7:02 PM

Senator Obama's speech was the greatest address on race since Lincoln? Hello? He would have never given the speech had it not been for his controversial pastor. It was damage control, not an attempt to get to the heart of the matter on race. And regarding Wright, his church, and black liberation theology, the problem isn't as much Wright as it is the theology that he espouses. Any theology that roots itself in the radical class struggle rhetoric of Karl Marx will always be aggressive. And this is particularly where liberation theology has its roots. How do we find racial healing when we scream about "rich white people" and the "US of KKK A"? It's preposterous. What Wright and other radical liberation theologians are doing is up-ending MLK Jr.'s words in his "I have a dream" speech: They are judging people on the color of their skin, and not on the content of their character.

MerryKate

Posted: March 22, 2008 11:28 AM

Matthew, I would say this author is doing anything but excusing Wright's statements. To the contrary, he explained where Wright is coming from, and pointed out that he is encouraging people to rely on political salvation instead of relying on God. Wright's preaching style drives people's emotions with extreme statements, with apparently no one in the congregation questioning the content of his statements. That kind of emotional manipulation is not healthy, nor is it biblical I'm concerned that a pastor has been preaching this hateful nonsense from the pulpit and no one has objected. Liberating the poor and oppressed is biblical; calling down God's damnation is not. How does that fit in with Jesus' injunction to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? If America is indeed the enemy of blacks, they should be praying for the nation. Yes, anger is easier, but it's not the way we're called to handle oppression. Give me an M.L. King any day.

Mitch

Posted: March 21, 2008 5:56 PM

why is it that the minorities are the only ones with permission to have hurt vocalized, are whites supposed to just sit in anguish and not say anything? there are many situations where physical and mental anguish are endured but since we are white we don't have a voice, and the notion that to spew dangerious malcontented hate from the pulpit as "the way we black churches preach," is a poor excuse for teaching the word of god, either your teaching bible or your not,, there is no in my church we teach this but not that, it just does not fit, and what you take in with your ears on sunday you will act out on monday, Jesus did not teach in this manner why have you strayed and then why are we condoning this.

Lwitiko H

Posted: March 21, 2008 1:42 PM

Is possible you can belong to the gathering that you are differing some dotctrines,Wright mab be right, but using pulpit was wrong,It is clear that Wright was and is against of what American you are doing to other countries,America is a source of many wars that was before and those effects are may be for life, American you are backbiters while claiming that you are civilised but yet you are killing even your own people!.Why this message is coming this time?? why was not before??

Mary	Posted: March 21, 2008 1:34 PM

Re Ivan's comment " His attack on these political entities is why Wright's comments are so important, to promote Barack's political demise......" You had me until you introduced "conspiracy theories" regarding Obama and AIDS in Africa. Your arguments defy logic and have nothing to do with faith. If Ssali's vitamin solution was so successful it would be used. This is the same complaint circulating on the net that oil companies own patents on electric and hydro powered auto engines. Oil companies don't anymore control the research and development of auto companies than America and European countries have in preventing health care delivery to Africa. In acuality, the opposite is true. These types of arguments are divisive and harmful to substantive and constructive dialog and confuse people seeking hope thru Jesus Christ.

TM	Posted: March 21, 2008 1:03 PM


Thabiti for president! Kidding, that'd be a step down from the calling as a shepherd. The Decline of African American Theology is a great book; I'm reading it now. Lots of insight on just how the decline in all major theological doctrines - revelation, theology, christology, sotierology, etc. - has affected the African American church.

Hong Kim

Posted: March 21, 2008 8:57 AM

I think we miss the point if we are working for our own rights vs. the rights of others. Christian life should be a sacrifice of own life for others. It should not be demanding rights for self. It is a shame for the non-black Christians not to have defended the the rights of blacks more profusely, although many have. It is a shame for the blacks to demand rights for itself. For Jesus said, "He that finds his life will lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.

Ewan S

Posted: March 20, 2008 11:46 PM


Good article to move forward the conversation about these issues. I've been alarmed at how so many would wish to draw conclusion about African-American church history, and Rev. Wright as a stream of that, from tiny soundbytes.

carissa

Posted: March 20, 2008 6:08 PM

i am so thankful for Thabiti Anyabwile. based on where i live and go to school, there simply aren't many people around with whom i feel i can safely, honestly, and fairly talk about racial matters in the church and society, even though it's something that is very important to me. Thabiti's thoughts and writings continually encourage, inform, affirm, and correct my thinking about this topic. thanks for the interview!

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