What is the state of the Black Church? I pondered that question having recently read Eric Redmond’s interview with Alton Pollard the new dean of Howard Divinity school and listened to a News and Notes program segment on the history of African-American religion. I’d encourage you to listen to the program and read the interview as they provide some insight on where the academic wing of the black church is at this time.
While thinking about both I couldn’t help but wish I had gotten a chance to ask one question, namely: ‘Do the claims of Christianity and the bible have to be true for our faith quest to be valid.’
Among the things I read and heard that sparked this question was the following quote by Dean Pollard ‘Children, women and men alike find meaning in life through the culture of their origins, in the family, by their faith, and through the body collective.’
Now I could certainly be reading too much into Dean Pollard’s answer, but it struck me as if he were assigning faith to the category of pure subjective intuition. In other words I may have a faith that helps give me meaning while you might have a different faith that gives you meaning and neither belief system has to have any truth to it at all.
If faith therefore is merely one of the ways I find meaning for my life is it necessary for that faith to be based in truth? For instance, there are numerous traditional African religious views of creation. That fact leads to the conclusion that while all of these creation stories can differ and be wrong, they cannot all differ and be right. (right in the sense of giving an accurate account of how the earth, solar system, universe and humanity came to be) And yet, they can all still give meaning to those who believe them.
I got this same feeling hearing one of the guests on News and Notes describe the Exodus story. She was explaining why this particular story gave so much hope to enslaved Africans but (and you’ll have to listen to the interview yourself) it appeared to me that she relayed it in a way that reduced it to little more than just a story that didn’t need to be true in order to inspire.
I know this may sound a bit irrelevant and perhaps I’m a somewhat paranoid. But what happens if the experts of the faith (or should I say our faith) don’t actually believe that it’s true but just useful for this time? What might happen in the day black folks by and large overcome our persistent social struggles and find we have no more need for a faith to give us meaning and assist our struggle? What might happen when black folks are doing well and can find ample meaning in their identity as Americans, the reality of full, meaningful integration and like other groups can simply enjoy life here and now?
I wonder will African-Americans at the dawn of the 22nd century even see a need for Howard Divinity School or for that matter any kind of faith at all?
To Him Who Loves Us...
Pastor Lance
3 comments:
"I know this may sound a bit irrelevant and perhaps I’m a somewhat paranoid. But what happens if the experts of the faith (or should I say our faith) don’t actually believe that it’s true but just useful for this time? What might happen in the day black folks by and large overcome our persistent social struggles and find we have no more need for a faith to give us meaning and assist our struggle? What might happen when black folks are doing well and can find ample meaning in their identity as Americans, the reality of full, meaningful integration and like other groups can simply enjoy life here and now?
I wonder will African-Americans at the dawn of the 22nd century even see a need for Howard Divinity School or for that matter any kind of faith at all?"
Hey Brother Lance:
I am not so sure that your questions are irrelevant at all. When you were here we discussed what we see happening in the lives of African Americans who have in some sense outlived the struggle.
What do their lives look like?
Golfing at the once restricted Golf resorts on the Lord's Day!
Sitting among the masses where their parents were once barred as they watch their children perform and play, while family worship and Bible reading time is suspended!
Resources go to Lexus' Mercedes' Corvettes, Macy's, and of course a little goes to the HBC they attended, while the Church they rarely attend struggles financially.
There is this one guy I know who whenever you ask him how he is doing his response is:
"I'm living the good life"
He is a retired 52 year old corporate exec. He owns a home that requires two air conditioners and two furnaces. His basement floor is heated (remember he lives in Chicago). He owns several cars including a corvette he bought his wife for her birthday or something (I can't remember the occasion).
He just returned from a job He took in China for the last several years because he needed to add some meaning to his life since he was retired.
He sleeps in Church all the time, when he comes. He leaves early and finds all kinds of reasons for non attendance. He thinks that most Christians take the Bible and God much too serious and really need to chill. So he states his motto whenever you speak to him.
"I'm living the good life"
No struggles, no need for a lively faith of any kind.
This brother is an example so many that I come in contact with in this suburban ministry and I don't think you are paranoid at all my brother and your questions are not only relevant but demand some investigation. It is like Carter said in his blog:
“Boys and girls, the black church is in worse condition than I first believed. God help us.”
And God is helping us through ministries like the Council for Reforming Churches.
yo brother Lou,
the Lord will indeed have to help us. it almost seems that those who've made it just want to enjoy the good life while those who haven't long to make it to the good life.
all the while we have 'pastors' telling them that's exactly the kind of life God has for them.
Indeed, the black church has been a historical refuge, a place of life, of political power, of salvation, etc for a community of people marginalized by society at large.
Yes, it stands to reason that as successes come apart from the church, the church could itself begin to lose it's relevance.
However, there are some aspects to this "falling away from truth" that is common to all.
1. Academia has a way of tending away from absolute truth and biblical authority. All our Ivy league schools (except for the U of PA) was at first a seminary, teaching the Bible as truth. Imagine that! When Christian denominations begin to slide theologically, it is often the schools that lead the way "away" from truth.
2. The Wealth and opportunity of America makes it hard for preachers everywhere to get the attention of their people. Suffering people understand the value of the "next world" over this one. Satiated people need to be convinced.
3. God will always rise up the remnant who will follow close to Him. This is true in all communities, and will prove true in rich Christian community of African Americans. No matter what the future brings, God will rise up His sheep. The more the established faith community slides from the truth, the more prophets and iconoclasts God will raise up. And people will be saved.
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