Jesus and Blackness

“True peace is not merely the absence of some negative force—tension, confusion or war; it is the presence of some positive force—justice, good will and brotherhood”

--Dr. Martin Luther King

So I'm studying Black Theology, much of which is new age-y and pluralistic, yet, dare I say it does often ring true. Black theology says the Bible should be read from the perspective of the oppressed, and well, black folks are oppressed. 

Now here's where most folks get off.

“Is this gonna be another black and white thing?” Not really, its more like a victim victimizer thing. Unfortunately, the way the majority culture (in any setting) reads the Bible is to exonerate itsself, making efforts at reconciliation seem stupid and pointless, as in “Jesus is all peace and stuff, so stop protesting and get peaceful.” Really? Consider Jesus for a moment.

Jesus was a Jewish man living under the oppressive system of a powerful Roman people. Jews were consigned to the lowest positions and occupations available, in the worst areas available. Sound familiar? Their only real power was that which they had over each other, therefore religion was power. That's why the Pharisees and Sadducees hated Jesus, for He was in the position to disrupt the little authority they had (John 11:48), I'm sayin' they were so low on the totem pole, they feared Rome would take their nation (check the verse.)

So what's the point?

God is the God of all. God is the God of maligned and oppressed. Christianity, as it is both lived and preached should concern itsself with the liberation of all from tyrannical power systems wherever they exist, in all facets in life, whether that look like police brutality, abusive immigration polices or predatory lending practices.

Eternal life doesn't start in the sweet hereafter, it starts now, in the person of Jesus Christ. And He said

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
--Luke 4:18-21

Back to home page