The Esau McCaulley Podcast Is the Black Church the Problem?
Oct 16, 2025
Kaitlyn Schiess, an insightful author and podcaster, joins Esau McCaulley to delve into the complexities of the Black Church amid accusations of promoting 'ethnic idolatry.' They explore its historical roots and cultural significance. A thought-provoking discussion emerges on joy during suffering, ignited by the latest Taylor Swift album. Kaitlyn and Esau also debate how Christians can engage with secular art responsibly and tackle the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance, questioning the motivations behind cultural criticisms.
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Historical Roots Of The Black Church
- The Black Church largely formed because white churches excluded Black worshipers, not because Black Christians chose segregation.
- Eliminating Black-specific ministries often erased Black clergy and reduced representation in unified congregations.
Choose Private Dialogue Over Viral Clips
- Seek conversation offline and away from viral clips to lower temperature and enable real learning.
- Accept invitations to private dialogue to move beyond social media spectacle and teach nuanced history.
Context Matters For Theological Claims
- Abstract theology that ignores historical and cultural context yields bad conclusions about practices like the Black Church.
- Kaitlyn Schiess stresses historical detail is necessary to form accurate theological judgments.
