THREAD!!!! Re: Latest John MacArthur post.
1) As mentioned previously, I am continuing to track John MacArthur's blog post series re: social justice. Here are a few of my thoughts on his latest, "Is the Controversy Over 'Social Justice' Really Necessary?"
1) As mentioned previously, I am continuing to track John MacArthur's blog post series re: social justice. Here are a few of my thoughts on his latest, "Is the Controversy Over 'Social Justice' Really Necessary?"
2) First, I have to admit that I misread that the series was done after the third post. To some degree, I'm glad that it looks like MacArthur will continue to explain his position. On the other hand, his latest post is a series of contradictions that I can't quite track.
3) To his credit, he affirms standing together against "every hint of racial animus" and that "no sensible person would suggest that all the vestiges of the evils of racism were totally erased by the [C]ivil [R]ights [M]ovement..." Amen, brother!
4) But then he makes the turn. He cites the progress we've made and the change in the American attitude around race as proof that any contempt for perceived racial bigotry (especially when accidental or ethnically insensitive) potentially ignores that progress.
5) I don't think pointing out insensitivities ignores the progress we've made. I think both acknowledge that subtle forms of racism still exist and we need to be increasingly diligent in helping our country progress further.
6) One particular thought was a bit tough to track (at least the conclusion he drew from it). He writes: "Of course, people everywhere still tend to be oblivious to or inconsiderate of customs, traditions, community values, and ethnic differences outside of their own culture."
7) That's the point. And exactly why we need to have this conversation. Because there are some who don't realize they are oblivious to or inconsiderate of other cultures or traditions. But equating resulting actions with harmless "social gaffe[s]" is dehumanizing and demeaning.
8) It essentially says, "Get over it. It was a mistake." Which is very easy to say when one's culture is the default. How about, "Thank you for letting me know about this blind spot. I'd love to know more about this from your perspective so we grow together in the gospel."
9) Finally, I think the MacArthur misrepresents the kind of repentance others are asking for. He notes the importance of personal repentance and the folly of repenting for the evils of one's ancestor's culture. But that's not how I would characterize the goal here.
10) Admittedly, the King article he cites mentions that "white neighbors and Christian brethren can start by at least saying their parents and grandparents...[were] complicit in murdering King." I don't think that infers personal repentance, but acknowledgment (apart from guilt).
11) The same article also mentions: "I don’t need all white people to feel guilty about the 1950s and 60s—especially those who weren’t even alive. But I do need all of us to suspect that sin isn’t done working its way through society."
12) I think that's the main thrust here. Sin is still at work in our society. And it has real social consequences. If we fail to acknowledge that sin is still at work under the guise of progress, then we'll ignore the social ills around us...much to our detriment.
