I wanted to share some thoughts that may be helpful for discourse on the tensions happening on the topic of race and justice within the culture, politics, and the church. The issues are polarizing. But, what I’d want to argue here to some extent is — of course they are!
As part of God’s creative order, we are not omniscient and all-wise, therefore we do not have perfect insight into all the problems of life. In addition, this creative order means that for us, many truths operate within tensions that seem to exist in opposite poles. But those poles are often not contradictions, but paradoxes or balances. So part of God’s redeeming order is for His Body to seek to live in those tensions with wisdom while seeking unity and progress by God’s grace.
Tim Keller says it like this in Generous Justice:
“We should agree that, according to the Bible, all the various views of justice out there in our society are partly right. But they are also partly wrong….[these theories make] one of these factors – virtue, rights, common good – into a “bottom line” that trumps the other two. However, the Biblical understanding of justice is not rooted in any one of these, but in the character and being of God himself.”
Here are some implications for this:
1. A person on the other side usually has elements of truth
We can try to affirm what truth the other is trying to uphold and not immediately impose faulty assumptions to them (i.e. “they must be Marxist”, “they must be racist”, etc.). We can even if we may disagree on whether it is the right thing to be valuing at this moment.
2. Short tweets, memes, and videos often struggle to capture the nuance and rigor required to think through the complexity of our current issues
Much of what trends on social media tends to be a mischaracterization or caricature of the beliefs of “the other side”. Now, I get it: Those posts still help stimulate thinking so I’m not saying to ax all of them. But I would advocate for fairness and responsibility, particularly from Christ-followers. It’s not fair to lump everyone in extremist categories when a lot of people are much more balanced, complex, and nuanced in their thinking.
3. We should be able to have self-awareness of our natural disposition on these issues, which often is God’s image being displayed in us
I confess that I tend to be a “middle of the road” person (which this writing probably confirms). But, I appreciate people who are passionate and lean more into one side or another. They challenge me to think harder. If you tend to be further on a certain side of the spectrum, this work of understanding the merits of the other may be harder for you, but it is still a worthy work to be done.
4. We ought to seek to create spaces to speak with one another about these complex issues
We should have the freedom to express ideas without others getting defensive, yet also remain open to being challenged. And usually, it’s good to listen to people who are different from you, instead of having an echo chamber of the same opinions. Finally, all of this tends to be best in the safety of smaller groups and friendships when possible.
5. Let’s seek to be long-suffering with one another in the Body of Christ
I’m saddened by the fracturing I see. It reminds me of marriage where my wife and I may find ourselves on two ends on an issue, but through lively discussions (!), listening, prayer, commitment, we find a way forward. But, it takes time and even some pain. But by God’s grace, we’re better and stronger for it. Let’s try to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Would you consider this table below? It’s not exhaustive, but it can help us to frame our debates and reveal the spectrum that can exist in Christian thinking. Maybe it can be an aid to check yourself, create categories for dialogue with others, and even help us create more unity for the cause of Christ.
| Topic | Side “A” | Side “Z” |
|---|---|---|
| Equity – ideal for flourishing | Equality of outcomes for all | Equality of opportunities for all |
| Inequities – source | Injustice due to others’ sin | Creative order which is morally neutral (i.e. natural hierarchies or natural giftedness) or Personal sin |
| Inequities – attitude | Righteous indignation at sin of others | Humble acceptance of creative order or Repentance of personal sin |
| Injustice – source | Unjust systems | Generally fallen world or Sinful individuals |
| Injustice – approach | Remove suffering | Endure suffering |
| Injustice – solution | Communal aid | Individual agency |
| Judgment | Greater subjectivity – rule of law with regard to context | Greater objectivity – rule of law regardless of context |
| Governance | Expanded role to protect the vulnerable | Limited role to promote individualized decision-making |
| Church – ethic | Horizontal reconciliation must be actively pursued as an outworking of vertical reconciliation | Emphasizing vertical reconciliation creates the power for horizontal reconciliation |
| Church – unity | Celebration of diversity in the midst of our unity | Celebration of our unity in our diversity |
| Virtue | Compassion | Truth |
| Virtue | Collective responsibility | Individual responsibility |