The Salvation Is Not From All Humanity

Since, “Religion's initial and primary thrust is conservative”(Pg. 17), as such, the Church today is open to racial reconciliation, but the initial thrust is conservative in nature, thus leading us to take a passive approach. Though admirable, it isn’t taking the necessary and progressive steps needed for a racial reconciliation within itself, let alone society at large, which is why Evangelicalism has fallen short of brining forth change towards this issue.

These are the issue that the modern African American pastor must address currently. His/Her preaching must speak true, authentic words for the oppressed, the down-trodden, the deprived, the captives, the poor, the rich, the illiterate, as well as to the intellect. Presently, the hostile moment of worldliness is a belief that life is to be realized at any cost to self. Thus, here lies the Christian paradox: through the Gospel we have to see Jesus as a truth relevant to humanity’s need to rise higher. The Gospel is to be preached to all. It is a Gospel to save the humanity of African American people but the gospel is beneficial for all. Therefore, the African American preacher’s message must have within its content something more than that which causes the people to enter in a foot-patting, hand-clapping, highly emotional, ecstatic worldly experience, but also a content which serves to balance the life of God’s people on earth.

Religion plays an important role in people’s daily life. It gives them a sense of belonging and brings communities together. After doing research, it is clear that for African Americans religion brings them a great sense of comfort, belonging and brings them together as one; it has played a big role in helping African American’s be where they are today and it continually fights for their freedom and rights.

Jesus' salvationis open to everyone, especially the oppressed, poor, despised; Jesus is the universal savior

What has to say the Christian Gospel to black men and black women whose existence is threatened daily by the insidious tentacles of white power? Is there a message of Christ for countless blacks whose lives drown in that white

In the 1950s, Graham was a leader in desegregation by demanding that his outreaches be racially integrated. “The ground at the foot of the cross is level, and it touches my heart when I see whites standing shoulder to shoulder with blacks at the cross,” he argued. While Graham recognized the cultural, linguistic, political and economic differences among the global audiences that he reached, he also noted similarities among the world’s people and the necessity of the Christian Gospel to meet spiritual needs. “Everywhere I go I find that people... both leaders and individuals... are asking one basic question, 'Is there any hope for the future?,” said Graham. “My answer is the same, ‘Yes, through Jesus

The strength of this view allows one to focus on receiving the fruits of there labor while being here on earth. For many, this view saves them the heartache of getting their hopes up for a future heavenly home, that they feel may or may not exist. It feels safer to interpret heaven on earth as a means of liberation and freedom. The weakness of this view, emphasizes the human work of self-liberation among blacks, and disregards Gods divine help.

In a world that does not know the Gospel anymore, we must indulge in it, and love our fellow community though they may not share similar values, but find balancing in still remaining in our own values. Though many of times we find ourselves in opposition of the majority of the world, we must exude Christ love onto others as He does to us unconditionally. The author addresses ways in which we are able to live out our faith and still find a place within our community though they may not share similar values.

But I think that’s also, in some ways, been the hardest part. Because it moves so slowly. ...If there ever would have been anything that would have made me not be a Christian, or give up my faith, it would have been [gender issues] because so many people made it seem like you couldn’t be a strong woman or a woman that believed that you had equal voice, equal whatever if you were a Christian. They would pull these ugly verses out of the Bible and tell you them. It took me a long time to kind of figure out why - or maybe to justify my position, I’m not sure which - why I think what I think. Again, I think it’s related to racial issues for me - and gender issues. I really believe with all my heart, from everything that Jesus says in the Bible, that Jesus thinks we’re all alike. He says over and over again things about caring for the widows and the poor and the lepers and the downtrodden and the outcasts. I just think that message of respect and equality and inclusiveness and love for all is there. To me, it’s one of the central things about what it means to be a Christian. That love and acceptance for everybody....It’s also why, at this point, I feel the same way about homosexuality. Because, to me, that’s part of that. Yep, Jesus would accept us all. (Huffman)

Race perhaps, can play a major role toward a person’s faith or doubt in the existence of God. For instance, the article by James Baldwin, “The fire next time”, he mentions that “I do not know many Negroes who are eager to be accepted by white people, still less to be loved by them; they, the blacks, simply don’t wish to be beaten over the head by the whites every day. Neither civilized reason nor Christian love would cause any of those people to treat you as they presumably wanted to be treated… (Baldwin, 1963, p.21).” This sentence may imply that, although the Christian faith claims the importance of “loving thee neighbors as yourself” (NIV, Mark 12 verse 31), some of the white supremacist Christian’s in America may choose to enslave the African

People must recognize every ones need for a savior, and without Christ they would be in the same helpless state as them. All people were created by God and created in His image. Imago Dei means that you are created in God’s perfect image, not meaning that people are deity as He is but, created in His likeness with His attributes. In Genesis 1:26 it says this, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness [speaking of the Trinity].” God created every human to have the likeness and attributes of himself. Still people are sinful and fallen, but God in His abundant mercy gave the human race a way to attain righteousness and eternal life with him. People have the ability to love because of God. People have the ability to forgive because of God. Everyone’s wonderful attributes are because of God, but they also have the ability to judge, condemn, and hurt people because of their sinful nature. People fail to see and accept God’s perfect design and his perfect “image” in his creation. When people criticize or diminish other people they are ridiculing or mocking God’s creation and ultimately mocking themselves for God created them also. All people, white or black, are more alike than different. All people breathe the same air, pee the same color, and are all in need of a merciful savior. So, in short, people are only different in skin color, hair colors, and eye

To recognize own identity is an important issue as a Christian without concerning ethnic. Since the pastors in both articles found their unique voices, they became to understand the others and stretch out their hands to the people who have struggle and difficulty. I believe that God gave everyone unique voices. If people cannot find their own voice as facing their identities, they cannot be real Christian. In the Bible, it is written, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If the person does not love himself/herself, s/he cannot love others too. To love oneself is only possible when the person face and is aware own identity. After people know own identity, they can be real Christian as recognizing their identity as Christian beyond

Christ 's redemption of humanity jepordizise a key theme in Wise Blood. In the book several characters use religion and Christ in the wrong way. Through the book everyone who claims to have the answers to who God is but they forget Christ. I will focus my points to the following. How one must have Christ in their hearts to truly be saved. Similarly I will look at how Christian sometime fail to understand where they can do ministry. The two characters I will focus on are Onnie Jay Holy and Hazel Moats. Another point will be how these two Jay and Hazel are nothing more then street preachers wanting to heard instead of preaching some people can hear. The final point will be how a church must have Christ in order to be a church. Taking an engine out of car you will still have the body of a car much like a church without Christ will be nothing more then a building.

In our society today, it can be hard to fully understand and relate to biblical texts written in a seemingly different world. With stories of great joys and sorrows, I found that although the world we live in today is different, the messages are still highly relevant. As long as humans are still imperfect and desired filled beings, we will need the wisdom of these biblical texts to guide us. As the stories of overcoming hardships and suffering made an impression on me, the stories of love and acceptance filled me with great emotion. There are many differences that seem to separate Christians today, whether in arguments such as interpretations or certain beliefs. This has only divided an undivided religion. I found comfort and strength from texts about love and a calling for Christians to come together despite differences. In this, I found a deeper connection to myself and others.

The mission of God is to reach all nation. God uses chosen people to spread the Good News, to the nation. As He called Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22: 18; 26:4; 28:14). Jesus taught that we must preach repentance to all nation ( Matthew 28:19 ; John 20:12; (Act 1:8). Jesus was sent by God to teach all nation about Him and His return (John 20:21). Christian should accept all people of all walks of life. The church should continue to teach the word of God as it is in the Bible and to show love to all ethnic diversity. To equip people to participate in multicultural ministry is to embrace the love of God to all. The biblical base of philosophy is “Love covers over a multitude of sins” ( 1Peter 4:8). To get the saints and un-believers to join in unity with Christ. Cultural influence biblical interpretation, thus as we teach or preach we must remember whom our audience are and be able to get the message across so they can understand, by keeping the social also cultural of the Scriptures in mind.