Put On The Dress
In the World Ahead (Weekly Update) this week, Gerald Weston concluded that "As our world descends into greater chaos and confusion, let us spend our energies on drawing closer to our Creator, rather than getting caught up in the politics, conspiracies, and squabbles of this world."
Certainly good advice to their own. LCG has no doubt, read the criticisms online concerning their right-leaning political views that often spill out in their sermons and in their writings. This week marks the 35th anniversary of HWA's death but he has definitely left his mark to lesser and greater extents in all of the splinters from his WCG. Most notably has been the enduring blind, unscientific, ahistorical, and white supremacist belief that NW white Europeans are the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel.
The religious right in America right now are beside themselves because for the life of them, they cannot understand why they are being called racists and white supremacists. But when the left, center, and those enlightened on the right explain that they are not individually racists perse but that they are failing to acknowledge the existence of white privilege and systemic racism which are both impersonal and institutional, this only seems to enrage them even more.
A pastor recently wrote an article making its rounds on the internet. The title says it all: "Jesus is Not a Republican and Christianity is Not Nationalism." This is interesting because the Churches of God have traditionally paid lip service to the idea Christians are to be above politics. Not voting has always been their proof. Their kingdom is not of this world and their citizenship is in heaven, therefore, they do not serve in the military or on juries. This stance quite possibly could be considered a noble one if they actually lived up to them. But just like many don't pay full tithes, sneak out on election day to vote and have very strong political stances on many things, the churches of God are no different from the rest of their Christian counterparts in America they so disdain in another never spoken doctrine: whites are superior to blacks.
"White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity" was written by a Southern Baptist professor and founder and CEO of Public Religion Research Institute. Below is the description of the book from Amazon:
"Drawing on history, public opinion surveys, and personal experience, Robert P. Jones delivers a provocative examination of the unholy relationship between American Christianity and white supremacy, and issues an urgent call for white Christians to reckon with this legacy for the sake of themselves and the nation.
As the nation grapples with demographic changes and the legacy of racism in America, Christianity’s role as a cornerstone of white supremacy has been largely overlooked. But white Christians—from evangelicals in the South to mainline Protestants in the Midwest and Catholics in the Northeast—have not just been complacent or complicit; rather, as the dominant cultural power, they have constructed and sustained a project of protecting white supremacy and opposing black equality that has framed the entire American story.
With his family’s 1815 Bible in one hand and contemporary public opinion surveys by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) in the other, Robert P. Jones delivers a groundbreaking analysis of the repressed history of the symbiotic relationship between Christianity and white supremacy. White Too Long demonstrates how deeply racist attitudes have become embedded in the DNA of white Christian identity over time and calls for an honest reckoning with a complicated, painful, and even shameful past. Jones challenges white Christians to acknowledge that public apologies are not enough—accepting responsibility for the past requires work toward repair in the present.
White Too Long is not an appeal to altruism. Drawing on lessons gleaned from case studies of communities beginning to face these challenges, Jones argues that contemporary white Christians must confront these unsettling truths because this is the only way to salvage the integrity of their faith and their own identities. More broadly, it is no exaggeration to say that not just the future of white Christianity but the outcome of the American experiment is at stake."
You can watch an interview with the author below:
It doesn't take long at all to find material online that verifies a very racist HWA and church culture. The churches of God were no different than the rest of America's Christian churches who conveniently decided to stay on the sidelines as the Civil Rights Movement raged on. Christians are still largely absent in standing up for police reform and an overhaul of the justice system in America. They refuse to look at the historical proof on the racist roots of the war on drugs that began in America in the 1930's. American Christians have been more firmly entrenched than ever before in the Republican party ever since Carl Rove (the architect) solidified the Christian block to the party in the 2000 election.
The elevation of Trump by Christians as a Savior of America has backfired epically and has no doubt damaged the name of Jesus and Christianity for possibly decades to come. All this at a time when Christianity was already trending downward.
All this to say that Weston and the rest of the churches of God are in a unique position to salvage Christianity. They could capitalize on their anti-politics stance and pull the American church out of the Jaws of the Republican Party. They could. But they won't.
In the very same update where Weston says the church needs to stay away from the politics of the day, this anonymous piece on prophecy is at the end:
News and Prophecy—January 14, 2021The bias is blatant in this "anonymous" update. Riots vs. protests. Claiming to be supporters of Trump leaves for the belief that real Trump supporters would not do such a thing...it must have been antifa in MAGA hats, carrying Christian signs and waving the Confederate flag.. The further comments allow for the reader to dismiss any notion that the President could be at fault for inciting the crowd. And notice that the real problem isn't the President or the rioters, excuse me, protesters, but just humanly devised government. People are just doing what people do in Satan's system. It's the Devil's fault. Am I splitting hairs? Possibly. But let's look at some of the comments from LCG during the summer protests, excuse me, riots:
Unrest in U.S. Capital: Riots and demonstrations rocked a number of American cities in 2020, but the protest in Washington, DC, on January 6 was something different. On that day, protestors claiming to be supporters of President Donald Trump pushed their way into the U.S. Capitol Building, resulting in widespread damage and five deaths. Protestors apparently felt emboldened by comments made by the president in the weeks leading up to the Electoral College certification and his remarks at a rally immediately preceding the onslaught. Regardless of the president’s level of responsibility, which is the subject of ongoing debate, international opinion has come down hard on America and on Donald Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented, “A ground rule of democracy is that after elections there are winners and losers. Both have their role to play with decency and responsibility so that democracy itself remains the winner” (Deutsche Welle, January 7, 2021). Even British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, an ally of President Trump, leveled criticism at the president and his supporters (Politico, January 7, 2021). Mr. Johnson lamented, “All my life, America has stood for some very important things, an idea of freedom and an idea of democracy and… in so far as he encouraged people to storm the Capitol, and in so far as the president consistently has cast doubt on the outcome of a free and fair election, I believe that that was completely wrong.”
Although many are lamenting the “assault” on American democracy, the reality is that democracy, like all other forms of man’s government, is a humanly devised system. While many would argue it is the best form of government man has devised, democracies are inherently unstable. Long ago, in his famous work The Republic, the Greek philosopher Plato described a theoretical cycle of human governments, with democracies ending in chaos that invites the emergence of a tyrant who promises to restore order. However, the Bible reveals there is another government coming that will not be created by imperfect human beings. This government will be headed by a perfect ruler with perfect character—Jesus Christ—and will be built on a perfect set of laws (Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–10; 32:1). To learn more about the future of democracy, be sure to read our exciting article “Perfect Government Coming Soon!”
"The Path to Justice: We are living in an age when lawlessness, rioting, and looting are viewed as legitimate ways to attain social justice for almost any cause (2 Timothy 3:1–5). From a human perspective, it is tempting to want to support a cause that “seems” right in our eyes (Proverbs 14:12) without fully understanding both sides of the issue (Proverbs 18:17). While it is noble to want to alleviate suffering and injustice, we need to remember that this is Satan’s world (2 Corinthians 4:4) that is permeated by his spirit of lies, envy, hatred, and violence (Ephesians 2:2; Galatians 5:19–21). The goal of modern social justice warriors is to improve the world by human efforts without the need for God or a Messiah (Isaiah 59:4–5, 14–15). However, our Creator is a God of truth and justice (Deuteronomy 32:4) who hears the cries of the poor and oppressed who look to Him and wait on Him (Job 5:8–9; Psalm 17:1–2). Christians who live by faith need to remember that Jesus Christ is coming back to establish judgment and justice on this earth (Isaiah 9:6–7), and He will need leaders who can rule with justice and mercy (Psalm 72:1–4) and point people away from the unfruitful ways of this world (Ezekiel 45:9). This is why we need to develop the mind of God (Philippians 2:5) and wait on God to change society. At that point, we will have the opportunity to show the world the true path to justice (Isaiah 26:7–9). Have a profitable Sabbath, Douglas S. Winnail" [June 11th]
See, what happened on January 6th was different. It was legitimate (white) political protest. But what went on over the summer was (black) lawlessness, rioting, and looting seeking the justice they have no right to seek and church members will do well to not get sucked in by emotional pleas for justice. In his June 25th commentary, Winnail said,
"The Path to Peace: Many have been shocked by the recent eruption of riots and violence, anger and hatred all over the world—and many wonder what is happening in a world where many yearn for peace. However, the Apostle Paul warned, “in the last days perilous times will come,” as proud, self-centered people mistreat and attack one another (2 Timothy 3:1–5)."
Blacks erupted in riots fueled by violence, anger, and hatred, This is prophecy of perilous times with proud and self-centered blacks in our streets mistreating and attacking one another. But Jan. 6th was different, brethren. That was law-abiding white protesters airing their grievances lawfully as is provided by our Democracy, albeit a flawed form of governance. The overall message is consistent: don't get involved. But it fails to pass the smell test of objectivity devoid of taking political sides.
American Christianity continues to stay on the sidelines when it comes to social justice and reform. Christians are to wait on God. It will be interesting to see how that perspective holds up as Christians are increasingly the target of injustices. Will they wonder in horror as their neighbors and co-workers stay on the sidelines when they are being treated unfairly or being brutalized? I have a feeling they will have a come to Jesus moment about fighting for one's own rights.
In the July-August 2020 Living Church News, Wally Smith says in his article, "Christians and Causes"
"God's Spirit within us is stirred when we see unborn children exposed to the horrors of abortion, hatred unleashed against individuals due to the color of their skin, and leaders casting aside righteous judgment for naked, carnal politicking. Such causes tempt us to join them in an attempt to make this world at least a little better here and now. Should we? [his answer] ...too many of this world's causes and movements share two important characteristics: They are products of the devil's world, and they generally represent attempts to improve the devil's world using the devil's own tools."
How do you justify such a perverse way of looking at things so contrary to scripture? So the only job of the church is to preach at people but never lift a finger to actually help people. It's that HWA Martin Lutheresque perversion of Matthew 24:14 alone! Wally, how do you explain away Matthew 25:31-46? Tell me Wally, how do you escape being the priest or the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan? Wally, how do you get around all of the early church examples of easing pain and suffering in Satan's world? Did you know that in Rome, if you wanted to get rid of a child, not only was abortion legal but you could abandon a child up to 2 years of age at the village walls to be eaten by wild dogs? Guess what Wally, it was Christians that began the practice of scouring those walls every night for abandoned children. According to your vile logic, they should have been left to the dogs because there was PREACHING ALONE to be done!
[A little side note. Wally says in the article, "...as movements and organizations grow larger in the world, they often begin to transform into business ventures in ways that should leave us uncomfortable-a fact worth noting. The love of money is, indeed, the root of many evils." You don't say, Wally! You don't say!]
One of the primary problems with HWA gnostic dogma at its core is pacifism. This is not a Biblical concept. The proof is in the simple logic. Both Old Testament Jewish thought and Greek Christian thought support and believe in the "right of exclusivity." For this to be possible and upheld, society must be organized. There must be law and order that upholds contractual agreements. If the Bible (god) gives man the right of exclusivity, then by reason, logic dictates that god must give man the right to defend his exclusivity rights. What good is a marriage contract that declares to society that said woman is my wife if any man can come along and take her to himself and I must stand passively by without a peep? There is no right of exclusivity without the right to fight for it.
So it is ungodly, unbiblical to stand idly by and watch injustice, unfairness, evil treatment of others because by doing so, you are throwing the right of exclusivity out the window and embracing chaos. When God says the poor are to be taken care of, that validates the right of exclusivity. Ownership of lands, goods, animals, crops, goods, and service contracts create wealth imbalances. This is inevitable and natural. When it does, God declares that the poor and the disadvantaged be cared for. How can a Christian partake in the right of exclusivity and enjoy the protections of civil society and turn their backs on those who lose, fail, get cheated, or are outright dehumanized and systematically forced into an inferior position?
I look around at feast sites and I marvel at how many black folks I see. I want to ask each one how or why they would be sitting in a church in America that has never lifted a finger to ease the suffering and debasement and forced inferior status put upon them for hundreds of years? How do you sit in a church whose founder was a blatant racist and hid it behind the mask of British-Israelism? A church that has actually allowed "interracial" marriage of all kinds between whites and Asians and Hispanics and Indians and Native Americans ... as long as it was NEVER a black man marrying a white woman? Of course, the unpardonable sin of black men with white women is not just a church of God doctrine. That is an American doctrine.
Dave Chappelle, a black American comedian, did an interview with Oprah Winfrey about 15 years ago. It was after Dave left his own show on Comedy Central in the middle of the season and retreated to South Africa to do some soul searching. Oprah asked him why he left because the rumors were that he was a drug addict, mentally ill, and various other attacks that were simply not true. Hollywood was mad at Dave and sought to destroy him. The reason is that Dave Chappelle refused to put on a dress.
He was in the process of making a movie and the director had sent one of the writers to Dave's trailer to give him a scene change for the movie. It required Dave to put on a dress and get made up like a woman. He asked why they wanted to do that and they told him because it will be funny. Dave said no, he didn't want to do it. The scene was unnecessary. A few minutes later, the writer comes back and tries to get Dave to go along and Dave told him to tell the Director he won't do it. Dave started thinking about how all black comedians that made it into movies eventually dressed up like a woman. This really bothered Dave. When the Director came to Dave and insisted he do it, Dave refused and walked off the set and did not do the movie.
Hollywood is a weird place with strange rituals and control mechanisms. Not unlike churches, sometimes. I know what I have pointed out in the weekly update is probably too subtle for most white folks to perceive. But I know some black folks see it. And I only did it to highlight the much bigger reality. American Christianity has a lot to unpack. There is a lot to answer to and reform is necessary if Christianity will ever be a growing religion again. As it is now, I see no reason to support it if it continues to turn a blind eye. American Christianity removed Galatians 3:26-28 from their sight a long time ago. The churches of God are just using black folks as cover for their own self-image. Black brethren in the churches of God need to stop putting on the dress. White brethren who realize this need to hold the door and head out together.
