Tag Archives: race

What’s wrong with the recent evangelical “social justice” movements?

What’s wrong with the recent evangelical “social justice” movements?

The term “social justice” has become quite a buzz word in evangelical circles in recent years. Social matters like immigration, racial reconciliation, and sexuality are taking center stage in conferences and online discussions, with loud voices expressing strong options. Other voices are beginning to object to the direction of such discussions, expressing concerns over the… Continue Reading

Why equating culture with ethnicity is inherently racist

Why equating culture with ethnicity is inherently racist

Despite my many protestations (including a whole book addressing the topic), it is still quite common within Evangelical circles to equate culture and ethnicity. I was recently reminded of this when a popular evangelical leader argued in a well-publicized conference that in order to repair what he believes to be systemic racial divides within evangelicalism,… Continue Reading

We Don’t Want Your White Man’s Religion

We Don’t Want Your White Man’s Religion

This entry is part 32 of 63 in the series Ten Mangled Words You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

In Africa, particularly where black nationalist sentiments arise, it is not uncommon to hear the title of this post thrown around in conversation. Similarly, half-formed sentiments are uttered about missionaries who replaced the harmonious earth-religion of the peaceful indigenous people with their foreign religion, so as to steal their land and subjugate them. The saddest… Continue Reading

Culture, Not Race

Culture, Not Race

This entry is part 30 of 63 in the series Ten Mangled Words You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Scripture does not define the word culture, but it certainly describes the phenomenon of culture-making. Humans are meaning-making creatures, who fashion their world after their values, religions, and world-views. The Bible also describes the behavior or way of life that comes from a certain culture. The Greek word anastrophe is translated conduct, or way of… Continue Reading

The Common Problem with White Supremacy and Multiculturalism

The Common Problem with White Supremacy and Multiculturalism

White supremacy is horrendous. It is contrary to biblical Christianity both by reason of creation and by reason of redemption. All people, regardless of birthplace, ancestry, genetics, or skin color are created in God’s image, and therefore all people are of equal value in God’s sight. All people have been equally affected by sin and… Continue Reading

Race and the Church

Race and the Church

Jon Pratt Central Seminary has hosted the MacDonald Lecture Series annually since 1991. The lectures are named in honor of Dr. Charles MacDonald, who served as professor of practical theology from 1969-1971. Through the MacDonald Lectures, Central Seminary has hosted many speakers who have addressed a variety of ministry issues. But on February 7, 2017,… Continue Reading

The MacDonald Lectures on Race and the Church

The MacDonald Lectures on Race and the Church

Jeff Straub On Tuesday, February 7, area pastors, students, and other Christians will gather for Central Seminary’s annual Charles R. MacDonald Lectures. The lecture series is named for one-time Central Seminary Professor of Practical Theology Charles R. MacDonald (1903-1971). MacDonald earned his Bachelor’s degree from Parsons College of Fairfield, Iowa. He went on to graduate… Continue Reading

The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association

The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association

Among the benefits of my summer schedule is the opportunity to visit several Baptist associations and fellowships. This June and July I have attended three in particular: the Minnesota Baptist Association, the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association. Over the next three weeks I will offer a report on… Continue Reading

Corporate worship and the formation of a new culture

Corporate worship and the formation of a new culture

Navigating the difficult relationship between corporate worship and the culture around is is a challenge, but it is one made easier when we recognize the importance of corporate worship for actually forming our behavior. You see, worship is not simply the natural expression of a Christian; corporate worship—the public acting out of the spiritual realities of… Continue Reading

Culture and Race

Culture and Race

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the series Back to Basics You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Many Christians are talking about culture these days, but unfortunately few have given any serious thought to what culture is, especially in biblical terms. The term “culture” is a concept that has developed in the last few hundred years as a way to explain different behaviors between groups of people.1 British anthropologist Edward Tylor defined… Continue Reading

Is culture the same as race?

Is culture the same as race?

The issue of culture is always of interest to those involved with worship for one obvious reason–the “cultural” aspects of worship, primarily music, poetry, and rhetoric, are what often cause the most controversy. Questions rising out of this include: Is musical style neutral? Are there some musical styles that are more fitting for worship than… Continue Reading

What is race?

What is race?

There’s no question that the issue of race has been and continues to be a matter of severe debate in our country. I am convinced, however, that at least part of the problem is a lack of understanding of what race actually is (or even if it should be), and how it relates to other… Continue Reading

What does race have to do with worship?

What does race have to do with worship?

A few weeks ago I wrote about common straw man arguments that make their way into most debates about worship and music, and I cautioned against using them. As David rightly pointed out last week, worship wars will always be with us and are often necessary, so it is ever the more important that we not… Continue Reading

On racism, ethnicity, and culture

On racism, ethnicity, and culture

I thought today would be a good day to make a few comments about the relationship between race and culture. Often the idea that cultures should be judged or that one culture may be better than another is charged with racism. This is a misguided charge, however. Contrary to the beliefs of early cultural evolutionists, there… Continue Reading