The (white) American church will continue to forfeit the credibility of our witness until we ground ourselves in church history. Buckle up for a history lesson: 1/

For the first two and a half centuries (until 311 AD), it was highly dangerous to be a Christian in Rome. The government did not want Christians to die but rather to renounce their faith. 2/

Immediate execution was likely if citizens refused to deny Christ. Many were faithful but many also recanted as they faced the possibility of gruesome deaths. Accounts record Christians being torn by dogs and burned at the stake. 3/

Christians were accused of all kinds of inaccuracies:

1) They were blamed of incest and accused of immorality because Christians re-imagined what family looked like. They regularly called one another brothers and sisters and greeted each other with a holy kiss. 4/

2) Ironically they were also accused of being anti-family, as many forsook father and mother to follow Christ, even unto death (see https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/martyrs/perpetua.html). 5/

3) They were ridiculed for being poor, regularly giving up power, influence, and wealth for the sake of the kingdom. 6/

4) Another charge was that they weren’t patriotic because they refused to worship the emperor. They respected the position but held power to account. 7/

Amidst unthinkable suffering, the church continued to grow. The church has always thrived “from below” and we can see why this is because of (white) American church history. Power corrupts. 8/

Fast forward to the 1600s+: Did some Caucasians flee poverty and religious persecution to move to America? No doubt. But overall, white Evangelicals have arguably been the most powerful and wealthiest group in our country’s history. 9/

Instead of being persecuted, we have (to our shame) often been the persecutor. We justified slavery, claiming it was a “political” issue and asked others to keep quiet by just “focusing on the gospel.” 10/

When black men and women were terrorized and murdered by gruesome acts of depravity (i.e. lynching), not even the nation’s most influential pastor (D.L. Moody) spoke against the injustice of it all. 11/

When Civil Rights leaders began to protest the Jim Crow era, white Christians were again complacent in their power. Anyone who did speak out was shunned from their churches and cities, accused of being “liberal communists” (see Ed King, God’s Long Summer). 12/

How we erred from the priorities of the early church to the priorities of the American church is a story for another day. But the contrast is notable. And significant re-discipling is urgent. 13/

Not only has our theology of ethics been largely underdeveloped, but so has our understanding of our proper place in the arc of God’s narrative. Until we understand this, we will continue to remain weak and ineffective. 14/

Fast forward to today: instead of laying down our rights for the sake of love for our neighbor, the church continues to be known for defending our rights for the sake of love of self-preservation. 15/

History that is not acknowledged, lamented, and turned away from will be repeated. 16/

The recent headlines of some churches and pastors claiming “persecution” should not shock us, given our track record. Nor should stats that cite that (white) Christians are the most likely religious group to frown upon cultural diversity. 17/

But it should grieve us, especially given that martyr literally translates as “witness” in the Bible. These claims are a direct insult to the saints of old whose witnesses we are not worthy of. 18/

Early Christians — though not perfect — provided a constructive model for public witness. We also have numerous Black saints and some Caucasian saints through American history that have shown us the way. 19/

It is not too late for us to be the shining city on a hill. And praise God that despite our many failings, he has also used the white church to spread the gospel. This is mercy. But I’m convinced we will never see revival until we reckon with repentance. 20/

And the gospel we do share will be devoid of its fullest power and potential. 21/

Heal us, Oh Emmanuel.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Hebrews 12:1

22/END!