Can Wright's Rants Lead to Real Discussion?

The Question: Jeremiah Wright's sermons continue to be an issue in the presidential campaign. Why? What do you think of his preaching style? What do you wish you understood better about it?

If there’s anything redeeming about the Jeremiah Wright controversy, it is that it may lead to a long-overdue national discussion of race and reconciliation.

It obviously can’t be conducted in the midst of a political campaign, nor should it necessarily be led by politicians—but it needs to happen soon. So it can be said, at least, that Wright has started us thinking about these things.

I for one have read his remarks with an eye to whether they reflect a biblical view and whether they advance racial reconciliation. On both counts they fall woefully short. Paul, writing in the New Testament, said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ.

If there’s one overriding message of the Gospel, it is that we are to be one, together in our love for God and in our love for one another. I have seen countless, amazing examples over 32 years: God reconciling Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, criminals and their victims in prisons, and blacks and whites in our churches. When we reach out to one another in genuine forgiveness and love, reconciliation can be genuinely achieved. Pastor Wright’s message tragically is one that does exactly the opposite. It is an appeal for black separatism, and is an angry diatribe against the white majority in America. It could never be the basis for the kind of reconciliation that is contained in the Gospel.

I don’t see how any one who genuinely seeks racial reconciliation, who believes in the fundamental principles of the Declaration of Independence, can not repudiate and totally disavow not only the content of Wright’s sermons, but also his preaching style. What we need is a revival of the kind of preaching that Martin Luther King did, an appeal to transcendent standards of justice and a transcendent law, the kind that broke down centuries-old divisions. Wright’s sermons bear no resemblance to Dr. King’s.

Comments

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Racial reconciliation? It doesn’t exist. Get over it. But political correctness does. Ask a Jew, Italian, German, Asian, or Hispanic who either they or their parent didn’t look, speak, act, and play like the rest of us. What is the difference between them and the African Americans? They assimilated, and continue to assimilate, or get their children to assimilate into the community through education, language, and custom, and they still suffer racial persecution today, but suffer it at a higher standard of living, and perhaps a little less because of that standard of living. Ask one!

Each of those races did it quickly and did not wait for the rest of us to love them. The Reverend Wright’s of the world prey on the ones who won’t assimilate because it fills their pews. The Obama’s realizes love just ain’t gonna happen so they act and improve and elevate themselves out of poverty. That’s the message Obama brings, and shame on the Reverend Wrights of the world for dragging him down.

Real LOVE comes through Jesus not racial reconciliation – You should know that Chuck, come down from your ivory tower and get back in the prisons were you can help. Love is the way Obama handled the Wright debacle, and like a gentleman. That is the kind of President we need.

Reverend Mack

Posted by: Mack | May 5, 2008 11:52 AM
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J.Michael, to think that any thing Mr. Wright said was not objectionable to a large cross section of the American population is to bury your head in the sand. Jeremiah wright out and out lied about a number of issues and completely misrepresented more than a dozen others.

Posted by: garyd | May 4, 2008 12:50 PM
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Once again, after long having been a fan, I'm disappointed by Colson's growing inability to hear what a person, in this case Wright, is actually saying. It might behoove you, Chuck, to listen to more than the soundbites circulating in the media and listen to even one complete sermon by Wright. For that matter, try to listen to Wright's recent Moyers interview, the NAACP presentation, or even the National Press Club speech (though I think we see more personal indignation from Wright in the latter). Why you even bothered to address this topic is beyond me, Chuck, since you don't seem to have bothered to learn anything more than what's on the nightly news.

To argue that "any one who genuinely seeks racial reconciliation, who believes in the fundamental principles of the Declaration of Independence" should disavow Wright's content and style is insane, and for me it calls into serious question how deeply Colson continues to hear the prophetic message of the Bible. On top of that, to contrast Wright and King as preachers only proves that Colson's knowledge of King is as inadequate as his knowledge of Wright.

Posted by: J. Michael | May 3, 2008 12:20 PM
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May black preachers preach forgiveness and unity.
May they cry out that they are in it together with the whites, the future of the nation depends on mutual love which is possible only when there is real forgiveness of wrongs done in the past. Martin Luther King preached dignity for the blacks and unity with the whites without hatred.

Posted by: Well Wisher | May 3, 2008 8:40 AM
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People of good will on both sides - black and white - could let the Holy Spirit enter the situation and use it for the greater glory of God and the good of blacks and whites. When genuine effort is made to understand both sides of the issue much good could come out of it for all and for the nation at large.

It is imperative to establish facts on how much of the black grievance is about the past and how much of it is about the present. It is important to figure what action can be taken with the issue that is realistic and fair to all concerned. Honest dialogue that puts all the cards on the table to brainstorm and work out the best solution for all. The journey is bound to be long but it must be begun. The nation will be the stronger for even an imperfect dialogue and reconciliation.

AA Prayer

May God grant everyone
The serenity to accept the things they cannot change
The courage to change the things they can
And the wisdom to know the difference.

May Rev Wright preach
Lord forgive the whites for the things
they did in their ignorance
May we not hold the innocent responsible
For the wrongs others have done.

Posted by: Well Wisher | May 3, 2008 8:32 AM
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Lovely racist comments Roy and having absolutely nothing to do with anything Colson said.

Posted by: Garyd | May 2, 2008 9:07 PM
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Wright's rantings are anti-Christian. His church is outside the realm of Bible-based teachings.

Posted by: PW | May 2, 2008 2:53 PM
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Posted by: Anonymous | May 2, 2008 12:34 PM
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Posted by: Anonymous | May 2, 2008 12:34 PM
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