Evangelical Failures in South Africa

The following quotations come from an article titled, "Evangelical Witness in South Africa"; this was taken from an article in Transformation Magazine (January-March, 1987, Volume 4, #1).

Quote: "We realized that our theology was influenced by American and European missionaries, with political, social and class interests which were contrary or even hostile to both the spiritual and social needs of the people in South Africa."

Quote: "We wish to confess that our evangelical family has a track record of supporting and legitimating oppressive regimes here and elsewhere."

Quote: "This crisis of faith is caused by the dilemma by being oppressed and being exploited by people who claim to be Christians, especially those who claim to be born again."

Quote: "What this dualism has done is that one can live a pietistic spiritual life and still continue to oppress, exploit, and dehumanize people."

Quote: " Those we thought were the ones who were born again and reconciled to God turned out to be the worst racist oppressors and exploiters."

Quote: "Whites can remain racists who undermine and dehumanize blacks and still be regarded as fantastic Christians."

The following are Lowell Noble's conclusions:

The Reformation revived the biblical doctrine of justification, but tragically the Reformation divorced justification from justice leaving the western church with a spirituality without justice.  When justice is missing, oppression runs rampant.

So what we badly need is a second Reformation, a Reformation that blends justification with justice, spirituality with justice.

Who will lead the way in creating this second Reformation?