on repentance
In my last post, I discussed the very difficult tension of evangelism and colonialism. Being a woman of faith who is also a graduate in international development and aspiring development practitioner, this was (and is) an inevitable reflection to have. As I expressed, I do believe there are crucial differences between both processes. Though the evangelical mission will be wildly misunderstood and condemned in contemporary academic circles- and the 21st century at large- I maintain that, when done sustainably and ethically, it does not mirror the colonial imagination.
My discussion, however, ended with this: what now? how ought Christians address the abusive colonial behaviors of our ancestors in faith? how do we respond to the past or present behaviors of the Church seemingly complicit with colonial narratives yet called "missional"?
I have wrestled and wrestled with this question. I might know in my heart that the gospel is good, that evangelism can be a pathway to freedom (not subjugation), and that the Church can be a force for good in this broken world.
But, having done studies in international development in an academic institution espousing a very liberal and secular vision, I recognize this speech will not resonate with my peers and professors.
Over the course of my undergraduate studies, I often heard statements about the atrocities done in the Global South and to marginalized people by people identifying with the Christian faith.
And, when hearing these things, I did not know how to respond.
I think it would be fair to say that the current socio-cultural narrative amplified in higher education is critical of Christianity. Professors and students are quick to attribute social injustices, racial segregation, gender essentialism and environmental degradation to interpretations of biblical texts.
... but can you blame them? I am deeply, deeply ashamed of the atrocious dehumanizing that members of the Church have done. Christians, after all, long detained social, economic and political sovereignty in North America and were perpetrators of unbiblical injustice for centuries: colonialism, racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. etc.
Now before you stigmatize my blogpost as espousing a "leftist agenda", hear me out. If we want to be effective witnesses in this world, we need to listen. We need to defend the innate dignity of all human beings--all created in God's image--and this Earth which He has called us to steward.
My discussion, however, ended with this: what now? how ought Christians address the abusive colonial behaviors of our ancestors in faith? how do we respond to the past or present behaviors of the Church seemingly complicit with colonial narratives yet called "missional"?
I have wrestled and wrestled with this question. I might know in my heart that the gospel is good, that evangelism can be a pathway to freedom (not subjugation), and that the Church can be a force for good in this broken world.
But, having done studies in international development in an academic institution espousing a very liberal and secular vision, I recognize this speech will not resonate with my peers and professors.
Over the course of my undergraduate studies, I often heard statements about the atrocities done in the Global South and to marginalized people by people identifying with the Christian faith.
And, when hearing these things, I did not know how to respond.
... but can you blame them? I am deeply, deeply ashamed of the atrocious dehumanizing that members of the Church have done. Christians, after all, long detained social, economic and political sovereignty in North America and were perpetrators of unbiblical injustice for centuries: colonialism, racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. etc.
Now before you stigmatize my blogpost as espousing a "leftist agenda", hear me out. If we want to be effective witnesses in this world, we need to listen. We need to defend the innate dignity of all human beings--all created in God's image--and this Earth which He has called us to steward.
It is precisely in the name of hope, and for the glory of Christ Jesus, that we as His followers must look to the past and present of the Church and be the first to recognize the wrongful acts done by those who claim(ed) to love Christ.
Did I feel that some professors have misconstrued understandings of the Christian faith--particularly evangelicalism--at times? Yes. So does most of the post-Christian world.
When I found criticism unfair-- and when given the chance to respond!--I gladly explained my experience, perspective and opinions as a person raised in the evangelical church. The Bible is clear: Christians will be misunderstood at times, and are called to be ready to explain their hope in Christ (2 Timothy 2:24-25, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 10:5). But dismissing all denunciations as persecution is not exactly conducive to dialogue, nor an effective way to be witnesses.
However, when criticism was legitimate--and it largely was--I listened. I wondered such things as: how can we, as people of the Way, do better?
But most of all, I have been learning the importance of repentance.
As I suggested in the conclusion of my last post, the practical response Christians should have to the past and present abuses of the Church is a proactive process of reconciliation. And, inevitably, the first step of reconciliation is repentance.
Christians must repent, turning from evil and toward God in confession, and asking for His forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of those we have hurt. We must acknowledge the patterns of systematic injustice and discrimination we historically are responsible for, recognize our position as offenders, and seek the forgiveness of the oppressed. Without this, I do not see how reconciliation can happen. I do not see how those who were mistreated [read: subjugated, enslaved, mocked, ripped from their cultures and families, belittled, assimilated, brutalized, killed] by Christians would ever want to enter a church again.
Cue the all-too-common response: I have never [insert prejudiced or ignorant behavioral action here] ... so why should I repent for the sins others have done?
Let us remember: we may not personally be responsible for the things for which Christians are condemned for, but we are of the same Body - one Lord, one faith, one baptism- and where one believer (or so-called believer...) has disparaged the name of God with his or her word or deed, we all are tainted.
As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26: "If one member suffers, we all suffer together." As one who bears the name of Christ, I am inevitably bound to all others who have been baptized into the Christian faith - even those whose doctrine and conduct is alarming, inexcusable and disgusting to me.
If we believe in the power of corporate worship, then we must recognize the reality of corporate sin and the need for corporate repentance.
We are to lean in, listen to the experiences of the oppressed, tell them they are heard and seen and beloved by us and an all-embracing God, express an acknowledgment of historic friction and present wrongdoings, and humbly ask to be forgiven for the active or passive involvement we have had.
In doing so, we enter into the great reconciling story of Jesus Christ.
This initiative of hospitality and intentionality is a crucial step to ensure that others do not equate the Christian message to the actions of corrupted Christians. It is a way for them to see the gospel for what it is: unifying, beautiful, full and true.
Repentance, in this sense, becomes a powerful vehicle for mission, and for renewal in our cities and in this world.
...
Today, as you reflect on the past injustices posed by the Church; and tomorrow, when a professor or coworker or peer share the hurt experienced at the hands of a Christian...
Join me in this prayer of general confession:
Did I feel that some professors have misconstrued understandings of the Christian faith--particularly evangelicalism--at times? Yes. So does most of the post-Christian world.
When I found criticism unfair-- and when given the chance to respond!--I gladly explained my experience, perspective and opinions as a person raised in the evangelical church. The Bible is clear: Christians will be misunderstood at times, and are called to be ready to explain their hope in Christ (2 Timothy 2:24-25, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 10:5). But dismissing all denunciations as persecution is not exactly conducive to dialogue, nor an effective way to be witnesses.
However, when criticism was legitimate--and it largely was--I listened. I wondered such things as: how can we, as people of the Way, do better?
But most of all, I have been learning the importance of repentance.
As I suggested in the conclusion of my last post, the practical response Christians should have to the past and present abuses of the Church is a proactive process of reconciliation. And, inevitably, the first step of reconciliation is repentance.
Christians must repent, turning from evil and toward God in confession, and asking for His forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of those we have hurt. We must acknowledge the patterns of systematic injustice and discrimination we historically are responsible for, recognize our position as offenders, and seek the forgiveness of the oppressed. Without this, I do not see how reconciliation can happen. I do not see how those who were mistreated [read: subjugated, enslaved, mocked, ripped from their cultures and families, belittled, assimilated, brutalized, killed] by Christians would ever want to enter a church again.
Cue the all-too-common response: I have never [insert prejudiced or ignorant behavioral action here] ... so why should I repent for the sins others have done?
Let us remember: we may not personally be responsible for the things for which Christians are condemned for, but we are of the same Body - one Lord, one faith, one baptism- and where one believer (or so-called believer...) has disparaged the name of God with his or her word or deed, we all are tainted.
As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26: "If one member suffers, we all suffer together." As one who bears the name of Christ, I am inevitably bound to all others who have been baptized into the Christian faith - even those whose doctrine and conduct is alarming, inexcusable and disgusting to me.
If we believe in the power of corporate worship, then we must recognize the reality of corporate sin and the need for corporate repentance.
We are to lean in, listen to the experiences of the oppressed, tell them they are heard and seen and beloved by us and an all-embracing God, express an acknowledgment of historic friction and present wrongdoings, and humbly ask to be forgiven for the active or passive involvement we have had.
In doing so, we enter into the great reconciling story of Jesus Christ.
This initiative of hospitality and intentionality is a crucial step to ensure that others do not equate the Christian message to the actions of corrupted Christians. It is a way for them to see the gospel for what it is: unifying, beautiful, full and true.
Repentance, in this sense, becomes a powerful vehicle for mission, and for renewal in our cities and in this world.
...
Today, as you reflect on the past injustices posed by the Church; and tomorrow, when a professor or coworker or peer share the hurt experienced at the hands of a Christian...
Join me in this prayer of general confession:
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
-Book of Common Prayer, 1662
...
and join me in this prayer of reconciliation:
Across the barriers that divide race from race:
Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide rich from poor:
Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide people of different cultures:
Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide Christians:
Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide men and women, young and old:
Reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Confront us, O Christ, with the hidden prejudices and fears
that deny and betray our prayers.
Enable us to see the causes of strife, remove from us all senses of superiority.
Teach us to grow in unity with all God's children.
Amen.
-Retrieved in "Living Into Hope: A Call to Spiritual Action for Such a Time As This",
by Joan Brown Campbell, p.136.
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