Read on Twitter
Can we talk about this a little? I don’t want to discourage anyone’s effort at diversity, but a couple of pointers are in order here:
“IMB celebrates Black missionary and church planter George Liele; designates February as Diversity in Missions month” https://www.imb.org/2021/02/01/imb-celebrates-george-liele-february-diversity-in-missions-month/
“IMB celebrates Black missionary and church planter George Liele; designates February as Diversity in Missions month” https://www.imb.org/2021/02/01/imb-celebrates-george-liele-february-diversity-in-missions-month/
2/ Let’s start with the renaming of Black History Month. That’s not a good look. The month begins with Negro History Week, which was, in part, a pushback against to erasure of Black people from history and a counter to white supremacist narratives. You can’t just rename that.
3/ Then there’s the use of George Liele. Liele is a Christian hero to be sure. I like the idea of honoring him.
But don’t be selective w/ his history and his theology. The article omits any reference to the Baptist Wars of Jamaica which were critical in Jamaica’s independence.
But don’t be selective w/ his history and his theology. The article omits any reference to the Baptist Wars of Jamaica which were critical in Jamaica’s independence.
The Baptist War or Christmas Rebellion was one of the largest slave rebellions in the hemisphere, led by a *Baptist* deacon. Guess where that variety of Baptists had its roots? The pioneering missionary efforts and teachings of George Liele.
/4
/4
The SBC is in turmoil right now b/c some quarters have carried on an all-out rhetorical war against any teaching that points to the liberation of Black people. You can’t reappropriate a Black Christian hero for the cause of “diversity” while omitting that figure’s liberating work
Then there’s the pesky matter of Liele himself owning slaves in Jamaica. This fact exhumes a rather complex issue. So slavery apologists misuse the fact to argue slavery wasn’t that bad. But often AAs “purchased” slaves in order to free them.
/6
/6
In any event, a thorough understanding of Liele has to wrestle with this part of his life.
BUT, if we’re going to do that with Liele, we need to do that with all the other historical Christian figures so often celebrated while overlooking their moral failure re: slavery.
/7
BUT, if we’re going to do that with Liele, we need to do that with all the other historical Christian figures so often celebrated while overlooking their moral failure re: slavery.
/7
I guess what I’m saying in summary is:
I’m glad for the recognition of Liele. But if we learn anything about American and evangelical appropriation of history it’s that it’s often superficial and self-serving. We need deep exploration, not gimmickry and appropriation.
/end
I’m glad for the recognition of Liele. But if we learn anything about American and evangelical appropriation of history it’s that it’s often superficial and self-serving. We need deep exploration, not gimmickry and appropriation.
/end
