Race, Politics and Religion

It’s been several days now since the story of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright came into the public discussion. I’ve spent hours reading, listening and watching what the preachers, the politicians, the press and the people have to say about race, politics and religion.

After all of this, my initial reaction to the Reverend’s sermon remains a defining and critical point. It is grievous and gut-wrenching to listen to profane and blasphemous preaching from the pulpit. It is painful to listen to other ordained ministers call Wright a prophet when he has twisted, mis-used, and denied God’s word. It is sad this has been politicized.

The relationship between priest and communicant, pastor and congregant, shepherd and sheep is a powerful one. The ordained ministry is first one of representation; representation of Christ and his Church. It is not a relationship of genealogy, blood or metaphor. It is spiritual.

You can walkout, reject and disown this relationship. More importantly, and appropriately, you can call it to account (Matthew 18).

There is little question that the pastoral relationship between Wright and Obama is one that is dependent on race. I find this only problematic if this part of the relationship supersedes the Christ-centered spiritual relationship.

You can see and hear the pain and suffering of Jeremiah Wright. His pain and suffering is born from racism. And each of us face the trials of this world and the kinds of suffering: in abandonment, abuse, loss, injustice, betrayal… and all of their kin. And these forms of suffering have power. And this power, called sin, bears resentment for those who refuse to forgive.

The harboring of unforgiveness and the justification of unforgiveness by holding up the bible is blasphemous.

Barack Obama responded with a great speech. But a great man will call for forgiveness and repentance. A great man will call to account the words of a friend. A great man will take on the hard work of reconciliation.

Suffering bears sin. But, more importantly, suffering bears hope.

This is why the apostle Paul wrote to rejoice in our suffering.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:3-5)

Hope is not born from our achievement but our suffering

Change is not born from a promise but from forgiveness

Holiness and righteousness cannot be sacrificed for unity

Reconciliation between men cannot take root until there is reconciliation with God.