Christians Against Christianity - with Dr Obery Hendricks
Jan 31, 2022
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Dr Obery Hendricks, foremost commentator and influential African American biblical scholar, discusses his book 'Christians Against Christianity' in a challenging and insightful conversation. Topics include the influence of money, power, and race on American Evangelicalism, the importance of social justice in the biblical narrative, the true meaning of salvation, homophobia in the church, the problematic link between capitalism and Christianity.
The relationship between racism and capitalism has shaped modern American Evangelicalism, leading to a focus on profits and individualism that contradicts biblical principles of social justice and the common good.
Misconceptions and misinterpretations surrounding the Apostle Paul's teachings should be addressed, emphasizing the importance of understanding his writings in their proper context and not overshadowing Jesus' social justice principles and ethical teachings.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Racism and Capitalism in Modern Evangelicalism
In this podcast episode, Dr. Obery Hendricks discusses the relationship between racism and capitalism within modern evangelicalism. He explores how white evangelicalism in the United States has been intentionally shaped by specific agendas relating to race and capitalism. This has resulted in the misuse and abuse of power, as well as a desire to maintain the status quo. Hendricks emphasizes that the capitalist focus on profits and individualism contradicts the biblical principles of social justice and the common good. He calls for a reevaluation of the dominant rhetoric within evangelicalism to align more closely with the teachings of Jesus and an ethic of love for all people.
The Misconceptions and Misinterpretations of Paul's Teachings
Dr. Obery Hendricks highlights the misconceptions and misinterpretations surrounding the Apostle Paul's teachings. He emphasizes that Paul's writings should be understood in their proper context and not conflated with later letters written in his name. Hendricks clarifies that Paul's focus on personal salvation and individual beliefs should not overshadow the ethical teachings and social justice principles of Jesus. He urges a reevaluation of the emphasis placed on personal piety and belief systems, suggesting that the primary focus should be on following Jesus' teachings and modeling love for others.
The Distorted Focus on Homosexuality Within Evangelicalism
Within evangelical circles, Dr. Obery Hendricks discusses the distortion and obsession surrounding the topic of homosexuality. He highlights the widespread misunderstanding and conflation of cultural notions with biblical teachings on same-gender intimacy. Hendricks stresses that the focus should be on love and acceptance rather than demonization and discrimination. He argues that Jesus' teachings, centered on loving one another and treating everyone with dignity, should guide discussions around human sexuality. Hendricks critiques the instrumental use of homosexuality as a wedge issue within evangelicalism and calls for a more inclusive and affirming approach within Christian communities.
Reimagining Salvation as a Social and Ethical Concept
Dr. Obery Hendricks reimagines salvation as a social and ethical concept rooted in biblical teachings. He suggests that salvation is not solely an individualistic pursuit focused on personal beliefs, but rather a communal endeavor centered around social justice and the common good. Hendricks emphasizes that salvation should be understood within the context of building healthy and ethical communities that prioritize love, justice, and the well-being of all individuals. He challenges the dominant narrative that reduces salvation to a transactional formula, highlighting the need to align our understanding of salvation with Jesus' teachings and his call to love and serve others.
Episode 53: Dr Obery Hendricks is a life long social activist, he is one of the foremost commentators on the intersection of religion and political economy in America, and one of the most widely read and influential African American biblical scholars writing today. In this wonderful, challenging and insightful conversation we discuss his most recent book, provocatively titled - 'Christians Against Christianity'. We talk about the way that money, power and race have shaped modern American Evangelicalism, and what that has to do with Christianity all over the world. We discuss the importance of social justice to the biblical narrative and the story of Jesus, the meaning of 'salvation' and how the contemporary "Jesus personality cult" often fails to grasp what Jesus was really all about. We also tackle homophobia, capitalism, what to do with the Apostle Paul and a whole bunch more!