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(Editor´s Note: This is part one of a two-part article calling on black Americans to adopt a biblical worldview of our history and future.)
In the Bible´s book of Proverbs, king Solomon writes, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people," (14:34, NKJV). Solomon was one of Israel´s greatest kings and one upon whom God bestowed more wisdom than any other who came before or ever would come after him save Jesus Christ, The King (II Chronicles1:11-12)! Those who have been the recognized leaders among black Americans since the end of the Civil Rights Movement have surely heard of Solomon and his Proverb. So, why isn´t biblical righteousness the prominent part of and priority for their strategy to uplift fellow black Americans?
As I wrote in last month´s article, there is a disconnection from the God of the Bible on the part of many of our recognized leaders and profiteers from black affliction. They invoke God as a social grace and exploit selected parts of His Word to suit their purposes, but like Israel of old, their hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:7-9). Beside sins of the heart that disconnect such folk from the God of the Bible, they have willfully excluded Him and the whole counsel of His Word from their strategy to uplift our people because of their preferred view and interpretation of the black experience in America.
The prevailing view and interpretation of our experience is victimization. In this view, blacks are innocent victims and a people wronged in every way imaginable beginning with slavery. God was sleeping or busy and was caught off guard by our enslavement. But it is felt He is with us now; for He is with the underdog! In this view too, the white man´s greed brought us to these shores in chains; his arrogance and selfishness keep us from sharing fairly and equally in the American dream now that we are free. They owe us. Therefore, we must do all that we can to get our people their share of the American political, economic, educational and social dream.
Interestingly, the most genuine of our leaders with the victimhood worldview see themselves as following in a long line of freedom fighters and champions of the race. This self-concept is part of their personal strategy to cope with racism as well. Others, of less noble motives, are opportunists. They wear the facade of community concern and even passionately lobby as well as negotiate "for the good of our people." However, when the cash and benefits begin to flow they are right there to get (often times more than) their fair share as part of their strategy to cope with racism too.
Victimization sounds and feels right as a view and interpretation of the black experience. However, another of king Solomon´s Proverbs (ironically in the same chapter as the one used to begin this article) says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death," (14:12, NKJV). As the last forty years prove, victimization as a view and interpretation of our history has not been the right way for us to go for at least four reasons.
First, victimization is a lie that requires us to tell lies on God and deceitfully exploit His Word to justify it. The Bible teaches God neither slumbers or sleeps where it concerns His diligence to protect His people (Psalm 121). And since He is constantly watching the sons of men (Psalm 33: 13-14), how could we have been enslaved without His knowledge or permission (Lamentations 3:37-39)? Our West African ancestors in the main were not God´s people or victims, but sinners with all of the rest of humanity and just recipients of His judgment (Psalm 75:2-8; Jeremiah 25:15-29)!
Secondly, the victim worldview has produced warped values as for many, any means (even sin) justifies the end of our pursuit of "the dream." Many who commit crimes even expect fellow blacks to empathize with their pursuit of "the dream" their way. Yet, for all pursuing "the dream" as the most important thing in life, the Lord Jesus asks, "what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul," (Matthew 16:26a, NKJV)?
Thirdly, victimization has corrupted us morally. Violence, murder, drug dealing and abuse, extortion, lying, stealing and sexual immorality of all types are the way of life in our communities nationwide. Such living is celebrated as "urban culture." As victims, these urbanites believe they are forced and entitled to live immorally to survive. Nevertheless, God gives each of us a free will. Regardless of our family, race or environment, we choose how we will live before the Lord who judges every man in accord with his ways (Ezekiel 18)!
Finally, in light of the first three reasons, it should be clear that victimization has not been the right way for us to go because it is conceived in and produces sin among us. Sin in turn is working death in us as judgment. Why, how? Our sins are separating us from God. Separation from God is death (Isaiah 59:1-15)! The second part of Solomon´s Proverb 14:34 states, "Sin is a reproach (disgrace) to any people," (emphasis mine). At the end of this age, disgrace will be our final legacy as victims unless we repent now from our sins and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved!
To Be Concluded Next Issue
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