Is the Black Church Dead or Is It Just Lukewarm?

Glaude rightly points out that the black church is in trouble, because for one thing, it is not homogenous. Historically the black church has followed the theological trajectories of other major denominations and theological movements in broader Christianity. The idea that the black church began in a single theological tradition, for example, Reformed, and then became "liberal" is something that no black religious scholar would find evidence for. Secondly, black communities are socio-economically diverse, which broadens the need for differentiated applications of Biblical truths. And thirdly, much of the black church's historic prophetic voice to cultural immorality has been neutralized and often viewed only through the lens of history. Additionally, Glaude points out that the explosion of the prosperity megachurches has distracted and derailed many black Christians.

Again, Glaude raises vital matters but sadly dismisses black churches that are protesting genocidal abortion and supporting Judeo-Christian designs for marriage outlined in the biblical story. He wonders why those same protestors are not also speaking out on poverty or supporting a public option in our healthcare reform circus. Glaude does not emphasize enough that the claims of Christ and his Kingdom demand that Christians mediate between moral and social issues. The black church is dead if there is not a call for black people to follow Jesus with all their heart, minds, souls, and strength. The black church would be doing a huge disservice to black people if she were not vigilant about the morals of human sexuality, the black genocide via abortion, building stable families, and the like, in addition to sociopolitical issues.

Source: World Magazine | Anthony Bradley