Comments on: For such a time as this: the salvation of the American church http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/ Reflections on faith, culture, and life Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:52:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Pastor Warren http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/#comment-813 Pastor Warren Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:40:42 +0000 http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/#comment-813 Well put brother. We are all the better for your contribution. Well put brother. We are all the better for your contribution.

]]> By: elderj http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/#comment-805 elderj Mon, 08 Oct 2007 03:38:17 +0000 http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/#comment-805 Brother Warren, I don't recall deleting a comment from you. If I did, it was unintentional, so I apologize. I agree that we are to be one in Christ. I am equally convinced that such unity does not occur at the expense of our individual or corporate realities and socio-historical experience. Indeed a unity that is not cognizant of those is not true unity. In any event, my larger point is that ethnic minority Christians in the US have a unique opportunity to broaden the theological conversation and perhaps be a bridge between the growing Christian worldwide and the west. I'm not sure how this can happen, or even what the result would be, but I do not believe that the task of doing theology was finished when Calvin finished his institutes. Unfortunately, it seems to me that we don't do enough theology and merely parrot what has been received without adequate reflection or refinement. Put another way, if God made me Black and American then what do I have to contribute as a Black American to the theological conversation that would not otherwise be present. This is the question I believe that needs to be wrestled with on a larger scale. Such wrestling will not divide the body so much as enrich the conversation. Brother Warren, I don’t recall deleting a comment from you. If I did, it was unintentional, so I apologize.

I agree that we are to be one in Christ. I am equally convinced that such unity does not occur at the expense of our individual or corporate realities and socio-historical experience. Indeed a unity that is not cognizant of those is not true unity.

In any event, my larger point is that ethnic minority Christians in the US have a unique opportunity to broaden the theological conversation and perhaps be a bridge between the growing Christian worldwide and the west. I’m not sure how this can happen, or even what the result would be, but I do not believe that the task of doing theology was finished when Calvin finished his institutes. Unfortunately, it seems to me that we don’t do enough theology and merely parrot what has been received without adequate reflection or refinement.

Put another way, if God made me Black and American then what do I have to contribute as a Black American to the theological conversation that would not otherwise be present. This is the question I believe that needs to be wrestled with on a larger scale. Such wrestling will not divide the body so much as enrich the conversation.

]]> By: Pastor Warren http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/#comment-800 Pastor Warren Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:03:56 +0000 http://elderj.wordpress.com/2007/09/26/for-such-a-time-as-this-the-salvation-of-the-american-church/#comment-800 Brother J, at the risk of having this comment deleted as was my prior one, I feel that I must leave a word with you. As you correctly point out, brothers of all racial persuasions are making huge impacts for the kingdom, as we see in Sunday Adelaja in Europe - an African pastor leading one of the largest churches. At the same time, I hope that you did not mean to imply that by dint of where or to whom one was born that we possess a unique or superior ability to theologically interpret the truths of our Lord. We can all contribute our ethnic distinctives to worship, discipleship, etc. but in the end, the truth is the truth and theology is the discernment of the truth. Though our perspectives, loves, hates, feelings, and actions are shaped by who we are, whatever culture we find ourselves in, and how these frame our thoughts, ultimately we are to be one in Christ. Seeking to further subdivide the body and do things "our" own way rather than to unite and seek a shared experience seems to be contrary to the plain gospel. With all love and respect... Brother J, at the risk of having this comment deleted as was my prior one, I feel that I must leave a word with you. As you correctly point out, brothers of all racial persuasions are making huge impacts for the kingdom, as we see in Sunday Adelaja in Europe – an African pastor leading one of the largest churches. At the same time, I hope that you did not mean to imply that by dint of where or to whom one was born that we possess a unique or superior ability to theologically interpret the truths of our Lord. We can all contribute our ethnic distinctives to worship, discipleship, etc. but in the end, the truth is the truth and theology is the discernment of the truth.

Though our perspectives, loves, hates, feelings, and actions are shaped by who we are, whatever culture we find ourselves in, and how these frame our thoughts, ultimately we are to be one in Christ. Seeking to further subdivide the body and do things “our” own way rather than to unite and seek a shared experience seems to be contrary to the plain gospel.

With all love and respect…

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