Here are a list of things I apologize for. This is to the Black Church, the next will be to the Charismatic Church and then the Emergent Church. I want you to read this carefully.
1. I am sorry that I thought your hermeneutic was inferior!
2. I am sorry that I mocked you!
3. I am sorry that I thought you were sub-par to the Reformed Church.
4. I am sorry that I called your worship “buffoonery”.
5. I am sorry that I wanted to make you white
6. I am sorry that I disregarded your history in this Country.
7. I am sorry that I overlooked the divine blessing of your culture.
8. I am sorry that I left you out to dry
9. I am sorry that I didn’t think you deserved to be at the table with other theological thought.
10. I am sorry that I forgot that you were the only place I could worship 40 years ago.
11. I am sorry that I forgot that you preached the Gospel!
12. I am sorry that overstated your failures, minimized your good, and slandered your good name before those who can’t understand you.
13. Finally I am sorry that I didn’t love you!
Please accept my apology!
I’m too new to your blogging to have more than a vague notion of what you’re referring to. But, just as a (white) bystander, I find the apology gracious and touching. It makes me think of Ephesians (e.g., 4:1-6 and 4:31-32) and reminds me of how harsh I can be toward institutions and ideas that have burned me. Maybe more on this in the emergent apology comment thread…
Lionel # 10 says it all, AMEN!
Well since this is based on black and white, here’s MY experience:
1. I am sorry that I thought your hermeneutic was inferior!
2. I am sorry that I mocked you! (so cold and boring)
3. I am sorry that I thought you were sub-par to the Black Church.
4. I am sorry that I called your worship dead and boring
5. I am sorry that I wanted to make you black
6. I am sorry that I disregarded the many whites who wanted me to be accepted and loved.
7. I am sorry that I overlooked the divine blessing of your culture.
8. I am sorry that I left you out to dry
9. I am sorry that I didn’t think you deserved to be at the table with other theological thought because you represent a dry formal belief.
10. I am sorry that I wouldn’t let you worship with me 40 years ago. But I’m even sorrier that some of you refuse to move on from where you were 40 years ago
11. I am sorry that I forgot that you preached the Gospel!
12. I am sorry that overstated your failures, minimized your good, and slandered your good name before those who can’t understand you.
13. Finally I am sorry that I didn’t love you!
Please accept my apologies
Sorry. Point 10 should read:
10.I am sorry that you wouldn’t let me worship with you 40 years ago. But I’m even sorrier that some of us refuse to move on from where we were 40 years ago
Lionel
Add this
Lionel is sorry that he is sorry for a natural process of XTian growth.
Move on as the blood covers a nultitude of sins brother..Keep up the good work.
Lionel,
Brother I just started reading this book called The Black Experience in the African American Experience. The Authros Lincon and Mamiya make a great point with this statement,
“The Prevailing American sentiment has traditionally held that the mainline white churches constitute the only relevent spritual pulse in the nation, and that whatwever is outside this narrow ambit is of little if any significance to the American religious profile. This conventional wisdom is widely reflected in seminary curricula and denominational policies to the end that misperception is compounded and the religious experience of some 30 to 35 million African American is clouded in consequence.”
Reformed Cushite,
Thats funny. But also isn’t what I am conveying, but thanks for your comments.
Thanks Ann! How have you been?
Tunji,
What is Xtian growth? That is a new word for me brother.
Brian,
That quote is priceless. You and I have a chance to bring balance. I like Professor X but he scares me. X if you are reading that was a joke!
PLs check HEB 6 1_3.Based on our walk wt God we reach over time differing theologicai positions a product of a mix of experience reveletion and knowledge.
I agree but never heard of the term
I know exactly what you’re trying to convey brother. Neither was I trying to be funny. But since you’re gonna spell it out with apologies to all… then let me wait and see if my judgement is correct – I’ll hold back ’til then.
Lionel, I been doing great thanks for asking.
@ReformedCushite (Cushie) “but I’m even sorrier that some of us refuse to move on from where we were 40 years ago” Could you explain please?
Ann
Sister. I could explain, but it would be equally beneficial if you could tell me how you understand this plain statement and I’ll tell you if you’ve understood me right. Otherwise I could be going blah, blah, blah to something you agree with already.
@ReformedCushite (Cushie) I am sorry I thought it’s best to ask than assume anything.
Ann
Thank you for taking time to respond. I was simply trying to say that 40 years ago black people endured horrific prejudice, hate and bigotry from some whites. Many of those black people endured the suffering, and drew even closer to Christ. They refused to be held back, and moved on as best they could in those dire circumstances.
Now things are moving on. In my experience many white Christians stretch out a hand of love to their black brothers and sisters in Christ only to be rebuffed by SOME blacks who refuse to let go of the past, forgive and go forward.
I sometimes say yes, the past made me, but it doesn’t have to mould me.
Hope that helps my friend.
Reformed Cushite,
Which whites stetch out “a hand of love” and are rejected by “blacks”? I have never experienced such an invitation and rejection but maybe you can give us some real examples. You can change names and location so not to compromise the good name of these individuals.
If that be the case there are just as many “whites” not extending as “blacks” not receiving. Would you disagree with that?
By the way my expereience is coming from a Reformed perspective so since you said you understand my post, you have taken it in a direction of white/black (which when I say “black church” I mean that from a theological category not race) So again for you to continue the white/black discussion is to make this a matter of race not theological perspective.
Lionel
1. No, I don’t intend to waste time giving examples about how this black person/church rejected the hand of this so so church… just like you often talk from your experiences, I spoke from mine. Please take it as it is – but if you don’t wish to, it’s still fine.
2. Of course I wouldn’t…because sin doesn’t have a colour boundary, so yep, some whites have failed to extend…
3. Thanks for clarifying that:
a) You are talking from a Reformed perspective
b) That by saying “black church” you were not in the least making any reference to race. So, brother – I stand corrected and all can pursue a non white/black discussion.
Little note I remember learning from someone. If anyone says “I’m not prideful..”, they’re prideful….because pride is essentially denying any form of it in one’s life. C.S Lewis once said “Our Pride is in competition with others…and hence, why it’s the case that we’re often proud of ourselves in recognizing how proud others are”….And the quickest way to tell if one’s prideful or humble is often by examining how quick they are to say “How was I wrong in this conflict?” and witnessing how easily they seek to apologize. Hence, why this posting done saying “I’m sorry..” is a true blessing.
Because in all of the theological conversations people have had in our times, how often do you see many of them involving people saying “I was wrong on what I said about you…” as opposed to something based in a stance of being against something where you have the opportunity of being “righteous” and pointing out the self-righteousness of another.
Reformed Cushite, I don’t mean to be callous, but I have to speak from the heart, and say that you are the epitome of an Uncle Tom, with your supposedly “right thinking views,” which is basically a mask that you use to shield a possible contempt you have for black folks, simply because you love white people so much.
Then again, it may not be about you loving white people all that much, but really about you not liking, or esteeming your own ethnic group, all that much, for God knows whatever reason.
Just as God doesn’t take glory in folks hating someone because of their ethnicity or skin color, likewise, God doesn’t take glory in folks who claim to love everyone, but yet have a mild dislike, resentment, anger, or hatred, for their own ethnic group.
Seekerman
Such a stupid accusation…shall I bother???? Hey, I cut myself the other day and I think you must be right because when I saw my internals they were white!!!
Okay seekerman here we go. You said:
God doesn’t take glory in folks who claim to love everyone, but yet have a mild dislike, resentment, anger, or hatred, for their own ethnic group.
1. I’ve never claimed to love everyone…but I try and often fail
2. I hate black people!!!!Really seekerman, why my friend I’ve had some wild accusations in the past but brother, this is the icing. I’ll tell you what’ll I do. I’ll buy a suit and a bow tie. I’ll get as many Loius Farrakhan videos as possible and join the Nation of Islam. Hopefully that will prove to you that there is no self hate
BTW The Nation have an author called Naim Akbar I believe. I read the book he wrote some years back all about how we blacks hate ourselves, yes I remember the title, The Psychological Chains of Slavery. Why not read it Seekerman?, it might help you further in your expert diagnosis of poor coconuts like me.
-Seekerman
Such a stupid accusation…shall I bother????
*Oh no, it is a right on accusation, and you know this.
-Hey, I cut myself the other day and I think you must be right because when I saw my internals they were white!!!
*Okay?
-Okay seekerman here we go.
*Now that’s what I’m talking about.
You said:
-God doesn’t take glory in folks who claim to love everyone, but yet have a mild dislike, resentment, anger, or hatred, for their own ethnic group.
*What’s so ridiculous, or false about this statement?
-1. I’ve never claimed to love everyone…but I try and often fail
*Oh check it, you trying to love everyone and failing, really isn’t the issue, rather what I discern to your “resentment, anger, or hatred” for your own “ethnic group.”
-2. I hate black people!!!!Really seekerman,
*I listed “hatred” as a possible cause for your callous and brazen rebuttal to lionel’s post. I didn’t say it was the primary cause, nor the only cause for that matter.
-why my friend I’ve had some wild accusations in the past but brother, this is the icing.
*And the icing is sweet and ladened down with calories of truth.
- I’ll tell you what’ll I do.
*What’s that my brother?
-I’ll buy a suit and a bow tie. I’ll get as many Loius Farrakhan videos as possible and join the Nation of Islam. Hopefully that will prove to you that there is no self hate
*No, becoming a member of the NOI is a little too drastic for my tastes. Besides, I never accused you of hating yourself. Think about it.
-BTW The Nation have an author called Naim Akbar I believe.
*Naim Akbar hasn’t been in the Nation, for thirty plus years. He was last in the Nation under Elijah Muhammad; never Farrakhan…
-I read the book he wrote some years back all about how we blacks hate ourselves, yes I remember the title, The Psychological Chains of Slavery. Why not read it Seekerman?, it might help you further in your expert diagnosis of poor coconuts like me.
*I’ve read the book, and am well read on the topic. But again, with you, I’m not concerned about yourself hatred. Think about it…
My brother, instead of being defensive, you need to seriously check your heart, and honestly look at the man in the mirror.
What I meant to say under your first point:
“*Oh check it- you trying to love everyone and failing, really isn’t the issue; rather what I discerned is your “resentment, anger, or hatred” for your own “ethnic group.””
Seekerman
My brother, instead of being defensive, you need to seriously check your heart, and honestly look at the man in the mirror.
Consider it done. But I suggest you do the same….oh unless, you don’t think you need to.
Whatever you say isfine by me. But it doesn’t detract from what I see as a stupid accusation – you don’t know me, but if you wish to make a sweeping accusation like you did..fine…but don’t expect me to call it nothing other than stupid.
Seekerman
I’ve had time to reflect and I’m going to apologise because even though I found your taunts and accusation disgusting, I shouldn’t have responded to you in the flesh, so I retract any offensive statement.
If only you knew bro… but I’m leaving it there, you hold your view on me that’s fine…but my tight walk with my Lord is marred when he sees me angry with my brother. Peace.
Reformed said:
“Seekerman
I’ve had time to reflect and I’m going to apologise because even though I found your taunts and accusation disgusting, I shouldn’t have responded to you in the flesh, so I retract any offensive statement.
If only you knew bro… but I’m leaving it there, you hold your view on me that’s fine…but my tight walk with my Lord is marred when he sees me angry with my brother. Peace.”
My response:
I understand you didn’t like my accusation, or particularly care for it, but as I said before, I wasn’t trying to be mean, or callous, in putting forth such an accusation. I, as an impure vessel, tried to deliver the message with the right intent, even though some carnality may have slipped in.
With that said, I accept your apology, and please accept my apology, if I came off as someone delivering a message, with the wrong attitude.
In the end, we all can afford to look deeply into the mirror.
I have been a part of several predominantly black churches at various stages of my life.
I have always enjoyed the lively worship and the unique preaching style. I am glad you have come around and have come to recognize the beauty within the traditions of the black church
Joe,
Thanks brother. I think God has uniquely gifted the Church (in the total sense of the word) to minister to a diverse group of people! What do you think?
Right on! What I have come to realize over the past decade is that we are finite people worshipping an infinite God… Practically this means the Church is to be a diverse manifestation of God. Each manifestation connecting with different kinds of people with different passions, styles, likes, and giftings. The NT gives so little instruction on “how” the church should meet because, IMHO, God wanted us to learn to express His glory in variety without forcing everyone else to be the church “my” way.
Leave it at Apology Center for everyone to see.