Some Thoughts on Racial Tensions in America
July 6, 2021
Recently we had a Juneteenth night of worship at our church. The room was packed with white, black, and brown people. When the music started, I started weeping. At first, I wasn’t sure why, because I’ve been in a thousand worship services. But as I reflected on the past few years, the reason for the tears started to get clearer...
With all of the racial tension that’s been building in America, I have spent hundreds of hours listening, learning, and thinking deeply. I’ve had many conversations with black and brown friends explaining heartbreaking stories. I’ve had many conversations with white friends explaining their experiences and views, sometimes pushing back against claims of systemic racism. I’ve read many books and listened to many podcasts that talk about the realities of racism, as well as many that caution against false ideologies, like critical theory. I’ve listened to news anchors talk about how another black person was killed and others talk about building burning from the riots. I’ve watched hostility and arguments brew. I’ve seen people leave the church because the pastor said too much or too little. I’ve had lots of feelings and have done research on statistics highlighting racial disparities, trying to get behind the political narratives to the facts, and have been left wanting. The worship service gave me a picture of what I have been longing for…
Both sides of this argument in mainstream culture and politics are inadequate for racial reconciliation. One side argues that racism is in the past and America is not a racist country, but fails to acknowledge the racial disparities that are statistically evident today. They say what we’re seeing is a few racist bad apples that are being highlighted to paint a false picture of the state of our country. I do think this has some truth to it but is lacking greatly. Some in this camp lack empathy and are rarely around anyone of a different skin color. They press so much against the false ideologies of the other side that they aren’t willing to acknowledge any problem exists.
The other side argues that racism is the main thing wrong with our country. They buy into false ideologies, like critical theory, that view everyone as an oppressor or oppressed, because of the color of a person’s skin regardless of the character of a person’s heart. Many jump into this camp because it seems like the most moral option, because they are fighting against the depravity of racism, but they wind up buying into a worldview that does not lead to reconciliation, but instead more division. Many people have been swept away in this cultural current, going far past what is statistically true.
Neither of these options is satisfactory. Both have massive holes and lead to more disunity and division. Over the past few years, I’ve felt this tension and have longed for something better...
When the Church fails to speak to these types of topics, we allow the culture to define the options. It seems like the two cultural options are either to be a racist or a social Marxist. What I got a taste of as I tears fell down my face at the Juneteenth night of worship was another option… a Kingdom option. The Church is meant to have a prophetic voice in culture as to what is the problem, what the solution is, and offer a Kingdom vision for what’s possible…
The truth is that all people are made in the image of God and are created to live in intimacy with God and unity with one another. We are made beautifully diverse but made to live in Kingdom unity. Because of sin, this has been distorted. Racism is one result of sin in the world. Another is trying to find a solution to sin apart from God. Racism, slavery, and hate are all a result of the Fall and all bring destruction. But God sent Jesus to pay for sin and to reconcile the world to Himself, bringing it back to its original design. One Day Jesus is going to return and what life looks like in the New Kingdom will be all nations, all tribes, all tongues worshipping King Jesus in perfect unity. I got a glimpse of this during the night of worship…
As around a thousand of us worshipped, danced, prayed, repented, and offered forgiveness to one another I got a taste of the Kingdom of God. I got a taste of what I’ve been longing for. Now, I know a few songs won’t fix what’s broken in culture, but maybe one of the effects of worship is to remind us of what the Kingdom is like, transform us, and offer a vision of what heaven on earth looks like. Maybe it’s not a political candidate that’s going to bring lasting change, but a multitude of Kingdom people focusing on God, worshipping Him, and allowing Him to change our hearts. What if it’s not more fighting that brings reconciliation, but humility, repentance, and forgiveness. What if as we grow closer to Him we grow closer to each other.
The racial tension in America has caused me deep sorrow and the solutions offered by culture have left me wanting. I wept because I got a taste of the Ultimate Solution.