I have contemplated long and hard about this post. It is a post that I have wanted to write for a quite a while but I knew it will possibly “offend” some who read it. While a person should never want to be offensive for “offense” sake our culture has done a great job of intimidating many from speaking their mind. Some call it political correctives. Partly due to how I was raised, partly due to my personality but, primarily, I hope, I wade into this subject because I fear eternity hangs in the balance.
First, let me state this post will be in two-parts. The overall issue deals with my profound disappointment with both the African-American (A-A) and Caucasian Evangelical Community. I believe both has failed the larger Evangelical Community in spades. The A-A track record is a little more extensive and since I am an A-A myself I will begin in my own backyard. I will blog next week, Lord willing, about my Caucasian Brethren who have demonstrated in their support of Donald Trump they do not really mean what they espouse theologically.
My thesis is the average A-A, with special consideration to Evangelical A-As (or whatever moniker one would choose to identify to express their union with Jesus Christ) has capitulated their moral authority. Much like when Christ said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall it saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet (Matt 5:13).” Approximately 94% of A-As voted twice for President Barack Obama who up until the candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton (HRC) was the most Pro-Abortion Candidate in U.S. History, if not world history. Even after changing his mind on the constitution of marriage A-As still voted for him overwhelming in his re election bid.
The A-A community drank the Obama “kool-aid” so fervently Saturday Night Live did a comedy skit where “A-A political commentators” discussed various traits of the President which placed the President in the most unfavorable light but the comedic punchline was when asked “would you still vote for him,” the answer would be a resoundingly affirmative “YES” every time. It did not matter what the President could have said or did these “black journalists” would affirm their allegiance and loyal support without fail. Now, granted this was a parody but we all know art often imitates life.
I will never forget as then President-Elect Obama was being declared the victor in his first election CNN broadcasted a celebration at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. This church is famous because of its root in the Civil Rights Movement headed by Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960’s. The reason that memory has remained seared in my thoughts are the members of that church were euphoric while I was grieved beyond description. A-A Evangelicals continue to posit their allegiance to all the Holy Writ reveals yet their actions are far from the instruction of the Good Book. Again, I refer to the words of Christ when He said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I say (Luke 6:46)?”
One of my former pastors was fond of saying, “I would not vote for a dog catcher if he supported abortion.” I concur wholeheartedly. I would NEVER align myself with someone who endorsed/condoned/enabled/gave license to the unlawful taking of a human life. Please note I specifically qualified my bold declaration. The qualification is “the unlawful taking” of human life. Since Roe vs. Wade it is estimated over 50 million human beings, created in the image of God, have been slaughtered in the womb. The place where the fetus should be it’s safest. Believers, of all ages, have been given the stewardship of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves, for protecting the most vulnerable of our society. Equally appalling or baffling is the vast majority of those lives snuffed out in the womb have been A-As lives. Consequently, this has been a genocide of biblical proportions that has largely been self-induced.
The Democratic Party has long since embraced a moral trajectory I believe any Evangelical trying to be true and faithful to authentic Christianity could NEVER be a part of in good conscience. The Apostle Paul could not be any clearer about the matter when he said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).” This moral or more precise, immoral trajectory, of the Democratic Party, has shown itself for what it truly is with its insidious embrace of same-sex marriage and its passionate embrace of the transgender revolution.
I know the knee-jerk reaction from many will be “the Republicans are no better” and “Ricky, you are a sell-out or Uncle Tom.” Or “Ricky, you forget where you come from.” Believe me, I have heard it all before but I unapologetically espouse what defines me is not my ethnicity or my gender or any other temporal factor. What defines me is my identity in the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
My momma constantly told me growing up, “when you know better you have to do better.” I grew up drinking from the Democratic “kool-aid.” I remember Jesse Jackson coming to my neighborhood when I was 16 years old and declaring to us that “life would be horrible for black people” if Ronald Reagan was elected. (You know what? Life turned out alright for me as my destiny is not tied to any thing under the Sun but upon He who made the Sun). I voted for Jesse Jackson when he ran and I voted for Bill Clinton in his first election. Thankfully, I have become persuaded by the words of Paul as I have grown more mature in my faith. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” I would like to think I have grown more mature in my Christian journey, that I have begun to develop and live consistent with a proper Christian worldview that shapes every aspect of my being. Not just a theoretical, abstract conception I employ only on Sundays.
Additionally, if one comes to the conclusion the Republican Party is just as bad and no better option is available there remains other options to A-As. We are not slaves to the Democratic or Republican party. We do not need to embrace pragmatism or believe we must select between the “lesser of two evils.” This Earth is not our home. Salvation or the answers to this fallen world ills are not found in a political solution. It is only found in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. So I would rather vote, in good conscience, for a third-party candidate who has NO chance of winning the election and maintaining my integrity than to aligning myself with a political candidate who “spits in the face of God” with their embrace and advocation of policies that explicitly contradict the Word of God.
God matters and what grieves God grieves me. Believe me, I wanted to celebrate the fact we were electing the first African-American President but I could not in good conscience. I would even understand better if maybe 30 or 40% of A-As would have voted for President Obama. I naively believed there would still be a significant number of A-A Evangelicals who would vote consistent with their espoused theology. But 94% percent? Not surprisingly, the number of A-As who voted for HRC eight years later only decreased slightly to 88%.
I believe there is a direct correlation between the social ills of the A-A community and the A-A wholesale embrace of the moral revolution. I close with this prophetic call found in the Old Testament, “If my people who are called by name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).”
The A-A Evangelical Community has compromised their moral integrity on the altar of political expediency. What does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul? The question is, of course, rhetorical.
I would rather live in a racially oppressed America where the sitting President was an abject racist but have A-A Evangelicals living consistent with the Bible than electing an African-American or female President who openly goes against the clear teaching of the Bible.
John Calvin said, “When God wants to punish a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.” I believe God has judged America for its moral decay. I believe similarly God is judging the A-A community for its moral rebellion. I am proud I was part of the apparent “6 per centers.”
As long as I have breath and a rational mind I will NEVER align myself politically with anyone who does not affirm life at conception, who redefines the constitution of marriage and who embraces the transgender revolution.
I plead with my A-A brethren to repent and leave the Democratic Party until they repent and espouse moral policies consistent with our insistence (which I do not believe) that America is a Christian nation.
I write this article with fear and trembling. I write not to be heat but to bring light. I write to bring EVERY thought captive to the Word of Christ. I write this article not from an “ivory tower.” I write as a profound sinner saved by Jesus Christ’ magnificent Grace.
I welcome all comments and feedback. Next week, Lord willing, I will write about my angst with the Caucasian Evangelical Community.
Until then, keep your hand to the plow and serve for an Audience of One.