Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Who is a Jew? Who is a Christian?

I understand that the Israeli Supreme Court had a difficult time coming up with a legal definition of a Jew.  Some Jews imprecisely define a Jew as an offspring of  Jewish mother---a bloodline definition.  Is the term "secular Jew" an oxymoron?  Is the term "white American Christian" also an oxymoron?  Is idolatry an automatic disqualifier?  Is oppression an automatic disqualifier?  Is neglect of justice an automatic disqualifier?"

Are Jews a race?  Absolutely not, according to a Rabbi.  A religion-ethnic group?  Probably, yes.

What is a Jew?  What is a biblical Christian?

Election---Jews as a people were chosen by God.  Is election alone enough?  No, according to the Bible, faith is also required---Abraham believed God.  Obedience is also required; see James two.
Doing justice is also required; see the Law and the Prophets.

In her book, Dear White Christians, Jennifer Harvey raises some difficult questions for white American Christians.  Based on her valid observations, I would conclude that nine out of ten white American Christians are not biblical Christians though they think they are.  Why?

They have not repented of their widespread idolatry and oppression, their white superiority, their white privilege.  They have not engaged in restitution and repair.  They have not done justice.  So they have disqualified themselves.

So the title of her book should be changed---Dear Unrepentant, Idolatrous, and Oppressive White American Christians.  Harvey states in her Introduction:

     Black Power insisted that redistribution (of resources and power) and repair were necessary. . . .  legacies of unaddressed violence, oppression, subjugation, and devastation for which those of us who have benefited have yet to apologize, let alone make meaningful repair. . . .  histories with legacies that are alive and well in the present. . . .  repentance and repair must come first [before reconciliation]."

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