Is the Reverend Wright a Brother in Christ?
Jeremiah Wright, Evangelicals’ Brother in Christ, Christianity Today (5/7/2008)
The subtitle of the above post: Go ahead and disagree with Obama’s pastor. But remember: He’s family.
Jason Byassee, the author of the above post, argues that Evangelical Christians need to take the Reverend Wright seriously, because he is a Brother in Christ.
On the other hand:
James White recently spoke to the issue of Wright’s theology by quoting extensively from Wright’s teacher and favorite theologian, James Cone. (Wright references Cone and Cone’s contemporary, Dwight Hopkins, several times in the above video, starting at about 02:15.) White briefly and powerfully makes the case that Cone is a racist and, furthermore, a heretic outside the Christian faith. If White is correct, and Wright is on board with Cone’s Black Liberation Theology, are Evangelical Christians obligated to interact with the Reverend as a Brother in Christ?
Thinking out loud here….Is our obligation to love our neighbor any less toward any human? Do we need to be in the business of adjudicating whether someone is a brother or sister in Christ? I understand that we have the business of evangelizing those who aren’t, but if we are truly living and speaking our Truth in love all the time I’m not sure we have to worry quite so much about this issue. To put my first couple of questions in a different way: how would it help us be more Christ-like to ask this question of anyone or to determine the answer?
Bryan,
That’s not a very charitable way to reframe my question. I’m not asking whether Christians should love the Reverend Wright. I’m asking HOW we should love him. And yes, our love for unbelievers will look different than our love for fellow Christians.
I believe we call that “Church Discipline”.
This is completely incoherent. Isn’t “speaking our Truth in love” evangelism? If yes, is it our business, or do not have to “worry quite so much about this issue”?
I Cor. 5:12-13
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Matt. 18:17
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Tit. 3:10
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him…
2 Thess. 3:6, 15
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. …Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
I Tim. 5:19-21
Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
You tell me.
Is Wright a member of your church?
I am a big believer in the Universal Church, but how do you do church discipline from your blog?
With respect to all the verses you quote, without even addressing whether they are applicable here in the way you suggest that they are, do you find that your blog post in any way follows the admonitions there?
Bryan,
Firstly, my reference to Church Discipline was to make the point generally that Christians certainly are “in the business of adjudicating” on these kinds of matters.
So, in the event your question was a serious one: No, I don’t attend Wright’s church or exercise church discipline from this blog.
Secondly, are you suggesting that a local church has no right or obligation to address public issues directly related to the Christian Faith? With the Reverend Wright’s diatribes (rightly or wrongly) broadcast 24/7 on cable news and talk radio, a local church might legitimately need to deal with questions (of both the Reverend’s behavior and teaching/doctrine) raised by its members and/or by those outside the church that would have questions about a professing Christian speaking as the Reverend has. And a local church certainly has the right and obligation to address publicly disseminated heresy for the sake of its members. Or do you believe every individual Christian is obligated to personally speak to the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints before warning others of the Mormon heresy?
This is essentially what I’m trying to do. Christianity Today published an article arguing that we need to take Wright seriously as a fellow believer. James White argues that Black Liberation Theology (BLT) is a heresy placing its adherents outside orthodox Christianity. I’m simply asking the question: If White is right about BLT, and Wright adheres to BLT, do Christians need to interact with Wright as a brother in Christ, or as a pagan. It’s a perfectly legitimate question.
Bryan, do you believe anyone who professes the name of Christ is outside Christ?
Obviously, I don’t believe the post violated these admonitions, or I wouldn’t have posted it. Instead of hinting at my error, please tell me how I have failed to honor these admonitions. I’m open to correction.
God Bless