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Lynching, suffering, and the cross
Because of their experience of arbitrary violence, the cross was and is a redeeming and comforting image for many black Christians. If the God of Jesus’ cross is found among the least, the crucified people of the world, then God is also found among those lynched in American history.
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Refusing to go down in despair
Unlike Kierkegaard and Job, however, blacks often refused to down into that “loathsome void,” that “torment of despair,” where one “struggles with death but cannot die.” No matter what trouble they encountered, they kept on believing and hoping that “a change gonna come.” (The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James Cone)
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Black History IS American History
I am reflecting on mentors from Black Cultures (mentors who are no longer with us yet I am still learning from) the first part of 2024. While we’ve relegated “Black History” to one month, and yes, I’m posting these in February, I am concentrating in a space and place to stay focused. And to remind us, especially in a time…
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The simplicity of pursuing Christ
God take us back, the place we began The simple pursuit of nothing but you The innocence of a heart in your hands God take us back, oh God, take us back
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Beautiful worship
I came across this video looking for some songs and I couldn’t help it. I let it play. The worship… when the band quit playing and the voices just kept going… when the leader read from Revelation 1… my soul, O MY SOUL! rose up and cried out. Just let it play. Skip through and stop at places. But, please,…
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Epiphany and the Feast of Thomas Aquinas
In this season I have had sense of the Lord unfolding his glory to me, and his longing to keep unfolding his glory to his people. I noticed on a calendar that today is the Feast of Thomas Aquinas. I was reading a short biography of him here and this story jumped out to me:
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Racism and white moderates
The problem of Dr. King’s day and our day, as pointed out by James Cone in The Cross and the Lynching Tree, is the silence of those who might have something to say, but don’t.
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The elements of care
We are in a harsh dualistic age. It has sharp edges. Ideologies are in combat and the stakes are this: “It has to be exactly like this or not at all.” This particular piece shows that tension.
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A fresh way to identify as a Christian in America?
Two pieces in Christianity Today caught my eye because they took opposite sides in what to do about being called “evangelical.”
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The “luxury” of being comfortable
First they came for the Jewsand I did not speak outbecause I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communistsand I did not speak outbecause I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionistsand I did not speak outbecause I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for meand there was no one leftto…
