INTERSECTIONALITY, SOCIETY, AND A CHALLENGE TO CHURCH LEADERS

 

 

What is intersectionality? It is the belief that “marginalized” groups who have been less advantaged should now be granted more advantages than others to compensate. Pastor John MacArthur explained:

 

·       The more victim categories someone is in [ie: a black, female, bisexual], the more empowered that person is, the more important that person is, the more truthful that person is, the more authoritative that person is. If you’re in multiple groups, this is a new idea called “intersectionality.” All the segments of victimization come together for you, and your multiple-victim status makes you the most authoritative person, the one to be listened to. https://www.gty.org/library/blog/B181130

 

According to the understanding of intersectionality, those who are “privileged” [ie: straight white males] bear guilt for no more than enjoying their alleged privilege. Consequently, they are guilty and do not deserve to be heard. Rather, they must repent and then prove that they are worthy through repentance and their participation in the social justice movements: “White Silence is White Violence,” right?

 

It seems obvious that, on the average, there are advantages to being born into a white family. However, this is termed “white privilege” and suggests that white families are still as they were in the Jim Crow South, fiercely clinging to their legal privileges at the expense of blacks.

 

However, there are many other ways to explain the income disparities, rather than holding whites as blameworthy. Admittedly, innocent blacks must face the indignation of racial profiling and being followed when they enter a store. However, this should not serve as evidence of “white privilege.” Unfortunately, today’s blacks have higher crime rates than do other groups, and those in criminal justice and storekeepers are very aware of this. Consequently, even black storekeepers will keep an eye on black teenagers as they enter their store.

 

Is there a Biblical basis to hold all whites guilty for the sins of other whites during the era of slavery and segregation? Not at all! Each must be judged according to their own behaviors:

·       These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. (Proverbs 24:23–25; ESV; Deuteronomy 1:17; 16:19)

Favoritism should not be shown based on wealth, status, race, skin color, or the woke-Marxist considerations of intersectionality:

 

·       “You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.” (Exodus 23:2–3; Leviticus 19:15)

 

Nor should the children be held legally accountable for the sins of their parents:

·       “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16)

 

·       ‘The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

 

A nation cannot stand when justice is replaced by partiality. Partiality breeds contempt and corrodes the faith in and support of a nation:

·       Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)

 

The hypocrisy of favoritism will bring down a nation. Therefore, we must pursue truth and honesty even when it is of great risk to ourselves:

 

·       By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. (Proverbs 11:11)

 

To deny justice is also to deny equality. Each of us has been endowed by God with certain unalienable rights and that each has a voice, which must not be silenced because of political affiliation or skin color. Nor is there a place for partiality within the Church, where leadership is to be determined by Biblical requirements (1 Timothy 3:1-12):

 

·       If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:8–9)

There is no room in the Church for the inequality demanded by Marxism or Woke theology, which divides people into favored classes – the “oppressed” and the “oppressor.” Yet justice must be done to correct wrongs:

 

·       Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Acts 6:1–3)

These deacons were not chosen based upon race and color but upon spiritual maturity. To import affirmative action into the Church will not achieve any more than it has in society. Instead, equality of human value must be maintained in the Church:

 

·       For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:27–29)

 

While racial, ethnic, and sexual equality must be upheld, this does not argue against role distinctions. There are still pastors, elders, deacons, parents, and their children. These essential roles must be maintained.

 

If there are systemic injustices, they should be challenged. It is Biblically required that we must not shut our ears to the cries of the oppressed. Suffering is widespread. If there are injustices being systemically perpetrated, they must be addressed.

 

However, the perception of systemic racism differs greatly from one community and the next. Consequently, I think that there must be courageous, honest, and loving discussions in hope of bringing us closer together on this highly divisive issue. And this should begin within the Church. Please pray for our brotherhood and unity in love (John 17:20-23).