A CHRISTIAN RACE THEOLOGY: THE OTHER CRT (Part 2)

The premise of this blog is that racial harmony is the fruit of relational harmony.

The foundation of gospel-centered unity is relational unity. Just as there can be no genuine love without relationship neither can we see racial unity truly lived out until there is a commitment to being relationally connected. Racial division exists within the church because we just are not good at relationships.

When I was in seminary I came to realize that my burden - my cross calling - was to be for brothers and sisters a friend who could be helpful in nurturing their growth in racial harmony. In other words, everyone has biases and prejudices that, unless others are there to bring those to their attention, they would be crippled and broken because of those unconscious feelings. That put me, more often than not, in some uncomfortable positions where my own biases and prejudices came to the forefront of my mind and heart that almost destroyed me.

Racial harmony is difficult only because the relational dimension necessary for its growth is challenging. Paul provides these weighty words in Romans 15

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please

ourselves" (Romans 15:1 - ESV).

This verse is intense and instructive. It speaks to the “cross-calling” of relational unity that is needed for racial unity. Notice that Paul says the burden of relational unity does not fall on the one creating the tension. It falls on the one who desires the unity that is commanded by the Lord. He uses the terms strong and weak to note this fact.

The strong are the spiritually strong; the spiritually mature men and women whose minds and passions are longing for the gospel to be a reality in their relationships. These are the one who labor and are hungry for racial harmony to be realized in their churches. The strong are the ones who write books and blogs, host podcasts, preach sermons and are engaged in a host of other activities that show their passion for racial unity. The weak... well, these are the ones who are not as passionate about racial unity. The weak are those who say things are not helpful to racial unity. They write, blog and say things on podcasts that make us wonder about their commitment, not simply to unity but to the gospel! They love Jesus but, like Peter, they do not always give thought before they speak.

Paul says that those who are passionate about racial unity are the ones who are commanded to "bear with the failings of the weak." Contextually, the weak are those who make a big deal about what can and cannot be eaten by Christians (see Tuesday's blog). They are the ones who would prefer their own culture over another thinking that it is superior. They are the weak ones who are failing in their walk with the Lord. Yet, Paul does not place the burden of division and unity on them but on the strong; those whose life is characterized by a gospel commitment to unity.

The mature have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak. We are not to behave towards the weak like the weak. No, the strong are to be patient with the weak and own their weakness by nurturing it to health and strength. When strong people act weak because of weak people Paul says they only do so to please themselves. When I respond divisively to a person who is divisive I am acting in weakness, not strength. The weakness I see in others is now the weakness alive in me and the division I cause is greater than that caused by the weak. Therefore, I must not confront the weakness of another in a spirit of fear, agitation or vengeance (weakness). Instead, I am obligated to respond and behave as one who knows that relational unity is the key to racial unity, bearing their failings with and in the love of Christ.

For Paul, it's not about food. It's not about eating or not eating food offered to idols. It is about the body of Christ being committed to the unity achieved in the gospel and loving each other by exemplifying the cross. The issue in racial unity is not black, white brown, etc. The issue is being committed to building relationships that are steeped in the implications of what the cross demands and, because of that, learning to nurture weaknesses into strengths.

If you are tired of the racial division in the church I feel your pain. Yet, Paul says that we are the shoulder that burden until it is realized more and more until Christ comes. We do not have the right to ever act weak in this area and then be angry at the weakness of others. We have one responsibility in this matter, indeed one obligation: to bear with our brothers and sisters who struggle in this area. This does not mean toleration, but a Christ-centered demonstration of dying to self that others may see Him and be transformed.

Racial unity will only be a visible reality in our churches when relational unity is non-negotiable.