Jemar Tisby, a thoughtful faithful Christian, shares his experiences in remaining committed to Christ despite challenges. He discusses leaving predominantly white evangelical churches, the search for belonging and healing, and the importance of studying history and building communities centered around justice. The speakers also talk about deciding when to leave a church and the goodness and presence of Jesus in their lives.
Despite facing backlash and opposition, Jemar Tisby remains committed to Christ and His church, highlighting the importance of staying faithful during challenging times.
Tisby shares his journey of discovering faith and emphasizes that Christianity is not limited to specific racial or cultural spaces.
Tisby recounts the challenges he encountered when addressing racism within white evangelical circles, including being associated with critical race theory and targeted for promoting wokeism.
Deep dives
Remaining Committed to Christ Despite Challenges
The last few years have been difficult for many faithful Christians due to the embrace of Trump and Trumpism, rise of ethnic nationalism, xenophobia, conspiracy theories, and abuse scandals. Despite these challenges, some Christians have chosen to stay committed to Christ and His church. Jamar Tizby, a professor and author, discusses his experience of facing backlash for addressing racial history within the church. He shares why, despite the attacks, he remains a follower of Jesus.
Finding Faith in Unexpected Places
Jamar Tizby discusses his journey of discovering faith. Although he did not grow up in a religious household, a friend introduced him to the Christian youth group, where he eventually embraced Christianity. Tizby shares that he experienced faith fully during high school, and even dreamt of attending seminary. His spiritual journey ultimately led him to recognize that Christianity is not confined to specific racial or cultural spaces.
Facing Backlash for Advocating Racial Reconciliation
Tizby explains that he initially believed there was an openness within white evangelical circles to discuss racial issues and work towards racial reconciliation. However, he soon faced opposition and backlash as he addressed racism and the need for racial justice. Tizby recounts the challenges and hostility he encountered, including being associated with critical race theory and targeted for promoting wokeism.
Knowing When to Leave Toxic Christian Spaces
Tizby offers guidance on when it may be necessary to leave Christian spaces that are racially toxic or fail to address issues of justice. He suggests that leaving may be appropriate when it starts affecting one's physical health, when the grievance procedures are unresponsive, or when a distance from God is felt. However, he emphasizes that leaving a particular community does not equate leaving Jesus, as there are other like-minded individuals and communities where faith can be nurtured.
Finding Hope in Jesus and Justice
Despite the challenges and pain endured within Christian communities, Tizby remains resolute in his faith. He finds hope and solace in Jesus, who understands betrayal, persecution, and marginalization. Tizby encourages others to focus on Jesus and prioritize a relationship with Him over institutional affiliations. He also emphasizes the importance of studying history and embracing Christian traditions that prioritize justice and equality.
Encouragement for Weary Christians
To those contemplating leaving Christianity, Tizby offers encouragement to stay. He highlights that Christianity is ultimately centered on Jesus and His teachings, rather than the actions or beliefs of flawed individuals. Tizby suggests building new communities and finding other like-minded individuals to continue the faith journey. He reminds listeners that even in the midst of injustices and betrayals, Jesus remains present and provides strength for the weary.
The last five or six years have been rough for many thoughtful faithful Christians. The embrace of Trump and Trumpism, the rise of ethnic nationalism and xenophobia, conspiracy theories and abuse scandals have rocked the church.
Many have walked away in disgust. Some have spoken out and paid the price and yet, rather than walking away, they have remained committed to Christ and his church. We wanted to sit down with a few of those who have cried out like voices in the wilderness and who have been attacked by the church they love, and yet still remain. One of those people is Jemar Tisby who is a professor of history at Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville. He's also the author of the New York Times best selling book, The Color Of Compromise and How to Fight Racism.
Tisby’s efforts to help the white church come to terms with its own racist history led to speaking invitations and conference appearances and then a brutal backlash as he became the face for many of the dangers of woke in the church. I sat down with Jemar Tisby to find out why after all the attacks, he's still following Jesus.
0:00 - Theme Song
0:29 - Intro
1:40 - Jemar’s backstory
5:15 - When Jemar started talking about race
18:22 - What Jemar has learned about God in the last 6 years
21:38 - Sponsor - AG1
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