The Scourge Of Racism
E-Book Availability 4/12-26
Released January 5, 2024
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Black preachers have been part of black history from slavery. Any attempt at even a sample list will certainly appear as though someone noteworthy was purposely overlooked. Instead, I am going to narrowly focus on one pastor-preacher born in the 19th century that in the midst of the professed biblically conservative predominantly white Christian denomination he was part of called out its racism. I and some contemporaries I will cite stand on the shoulders of men like Rev. Francis Grimké, a former slave who stood on the Word of God as written to make the biblical case that racism in the house of God is sin. He was rebuffed, but as a true hero of the faith did not back down.
I recently learned of Rev. Grimké in an October 6, 2022 article written by white Anglican, P.C. Kemeny, a professor of religion and humanities and dean of the School of Arts and Letters at Grove City College, PA that appeared on The Gospel Coalition Web Site.1 Beyond Rev. Grimké’s impressive academic credentials obtained in his rise up from slavery, it is his heartfelt devotion to Christ and the Word of God uncompromised that captured my admiration. As part of an ostensibly biblically conservative Presbyterian denomination he wrote an article in 1912 charging members to behave more in line with Scripture as it concerned relating to their brothers of color (1 Peter 3:8-9).
According to Dr. Kemeny, while Rev. Grimké’s call for repentance fed revival in his article was embraced by the denomination’s magazine editor, his rebuke of biblical inconsistency in the toleration and practice of racism within the ranks was rejected. As Rev. Grimké had no doubt deduced, this outcome was due to the continuing sinful adherence of white church members to the prevailing cultural norms of systemic racism rather than the teaching of Christ plainly presented in the Bible. He called out this inconsistency in his unpublished essay Dr. Kemeny writes, arguing “evangelistic efforts should turn people ‘away…from all their sins;’ ‘even those that are dear to them as racial prejudice.’”
Dr. Kemeny concludes on the sad note that the white Christians of Rev. Francis Grimké’s time missed out on the opportunity to respond to God’s prophetic call through him to greatly needed repentance from the sin of racism and revival. Dr. Kemeny challenges 21st century conservative professed white Christians to consider whether they will also miss out on God’s prophetic call through today’s voices including my own that has declared His judgment standing on the shoulders of Rev. Grimké.2 I have been crying out to conservative white evangelicals for many years to repent from racism and seek revival in this Blog and my latest book, The Scourge Of Racism.3 Too, this Ministry presents the willing with the Lord’s call to return to Him through our Strong Man Of God Online Rally.4
1 Read Dr. Kemeny’s article, Missed Opportunity: Francis Grimké on Racism and Revival.
2 See the October 8, 2023 post, Racism A Reason For Church Judgment, under the category, Instruction along with the one on October 15, 2023, In Judgment, Grace, Mercy And Revival, under the category, Glory To God! Some of the contemporary name recognized black pastor-preacher voices God is using to address the issue of racism in conservative evangelicalism and beyond include Rev. William Dwight McKissic, Sr., Bishop Wellington Boone, Dr. Crawford Loritts, Dr. Voddie Baucham and Dr. Tony Evans whose latest sermon series contains the message, The Sin Of Racism.
3 The Scourge Of Racism print version is available in the Strong Man Store, all major internet booksellers and brick and mortar bookstores. The just released E-Book is avail- able at major E-Book sellers. Watch the book trailer.
4 Hear and respond to the Lord’s gracious call to return to Him through this Ministry’s Strong Man Of God Online Rally, Return To The Lord, on YouTube.
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