As you try and sort out what this all means, what the root problems are, and what the biblical way forward looks like for a "Gospel-centered" congregation I would encourage you to listen to Pastor Charlie Dates sermon from the MLK50 conference. I do not agree with much of what Mr. Dates communicates in this passionate message but it's important that we understand where the "other side" is actually coming from; lest we construct "straw men arguments." As if an entire conference on this subject wasn't enough. This same issue was promoted again at another mega-conference the very next week. People with power and influence are pressuring pastors and congregants alike to jump on the social justice bandwagon...Should you hop on it?
As you likely know, many evangelical leaders (John MacArthur, Tom Ascol, James White, Voddie Baucham, Robert Gagnon, yours truly, etc) have warned the evangelical church that "critical race theory" is grounded more in progressive ideology and in worldly thinking then in actual biblical proof texts. This same camp has also warned the masses that the unintended consequence of all this will be to unnecessarily divide the Body of Christ. This is not just speculation. One Pastor admitted at the same MLK50 conference that 300 members left his church when he started emphasizing social justice theology. This celebrity pastor quickly noted that it was necessary subtraction however because "ignorant fools" will never accept this teaching. For men like Charlie Dates, Russell Moore, and Matt Chandler these are Gospel-centered matters (not political disagreements). The recent MLK50 conference made this point loud and clear.
Though all sides in this debate agree that true racism is wicked and sinful (and thus has NO place in the Church-Galatians 3:28) there is a huge chasm when it comes to whether or not "racial justice, white guilt, white supremacy, systematic oppression, racialization, illegitimate hierarchies of segregation that continue to hold down people of color?
This is not a black versus white issue. Matt Chandler (a white preacher) does not see eye to eye with Voddie Baucham (a black preacher). Certain African-American Christians have heard enough and have begun to write "Open Letters" against what TGC/Russell Moore actively promotes in the name of Jesus Christ (see this). The stakes in this controversy are huge.
On a issue this important it's helpful to hear exactly where the other side is coming from. Pastor Charlie Dates' sermon puts all the cards out on the table at the Gospel Coalition's MLK 50 conference. Dr. Dates was mentored by Pastor Ed Copeland. Mr. Copeland pastors a church in Rockford, IL and is part of the core leadership for the Gospel Coalition. As with anything you read, watch, or listen we must exercise biblical discernment if we hope to land near the biblical center.
Pastor Charlie Dates' sermon can be downloaded, viewed, listen to here.
To hear a brief rebuttal listen to Pastor James White's podcast here (and check out my other blog posts on this subject here at P.T.L.)
