#115 Part 2: NT Wright, Esau McCaulley & Tim Mackie on race and the church
Apr 28, 2022
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Theologian and author NT Wright and academic Esau McCaulley join host Tim Mackie of The Bible Project for a conversation on race and the church. They delve into the historical context of race and the church, explore the division and dangerous spin-offs of the Reformation, discuss the historical development of human races and its impact on Western European Christians, examine the intellectual history of theology and the development of biblical interpretation, explore Christianity in the public square during the industrial revolution and mass inequalities, and discuss the concept of general revelation and the importance of discernment.
The podcast explores the historical influence of colonialism on Christian theology and church practices.
Christian leaders are urged to approach addressing racial inequalities with intellectual humility, collaboration, critique, and discernment.
The early African American Christian tradition consisted of multiple strands, including transformational, accommodationist, black radical, and patriotic aspects.
Deep dives
Relevance of Tim Keller's Legacy in Teaching and Inspiration
Tim Keller's teachings continue to provide relevant insights on theology, faith, and suffering, leaving a lasting impact on the worldwide church.
Impact of Colonialism on Christian Theology and Church
The podcast discusses the historical context of colonialism and its influence on Christian theological leaders and church practices, highlighting the tension between the mission of the church and the proliferation of racial hierarchies.
Navigating the Current Tensions in Christianity and Social Movements
The podcast examines the current challenges faced by Christian leaders in addressing racial inequalities and inequities, emphasizing the need for intellectual humility, collaboration, critique, and discernment in responding to social movements like Black Lives Matter.
The Beginnings of African American Christianity
During the period of slavery, African Americans faced a dualistic view of their bodies and souls. However, the Great Awakening and evangelicalism introduced the idea of justification by faith, which emphasized the essential equality of all people. This led to a mass conversion of African Americans and the foundation of independent Black churches, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Black Christians of this period rejected a version of Christianity that disregarded the importance of their bodies and embraced a form of Christianity that recognized the value of both body and soul.
Strands of the African American Christian Tradition
The early African American Christian tradition consisted of multiple strands. One prominent strand was the transformational aspect, which emphasized unity and critiqued societal injustices. Another strand was the accommodationist approach, where some Black Christians internalized negative perceptions of blackness and advocated relying solely on Jesus without seeking freedom from oppression. Additionally, the black radical tradition arose, seeking to reform aspects of the Christian tradition for black liberation. Lastly, there was the strand of black patriotism that accepted racism without actively challenging it, focusing on personal holiness and the afterlife. These different strands shaped the early African American Christian tradition.
Hear the audience Q&A that followed NT Wright and Esau McCaulley's conversation on race and the church, hosted by Tim Mackie of The Bible Project. Broadcast with permission of Together PDX.