tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post3287447557956208785..comments2024-03-27T17:15:37.606-04:00Comments on Triablogue: Racial lensingRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809283662428917799noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-2034566599933605712016-04-09T17:59:43.415-04:002016-04-09T17:59:43.415-04:00There's a bit of a jump in your first argument...There's a bit of a jump in your first argument. You set out explaining that some people don't like the colorblind idea, but then you give an argument that seems to be intended to resist them. You then explain that sometimes other things besides race are more definitive or dominant than race. Okay, fine. That would then justify being not blind to that too. It wouldn't justify ignoring race if it's still a concern.<br /><br />On the social construction issue, I'm not seeing how that's relevant. We don't pretend there are no plumbers, college students, Republicans, dollars, or national boundary lines just because those are social constructions. Of course race is a social construction, which is to say that it's a social reality and therefore not something we can ignore by pretending to be colorblind (no one really is, no matter what they say, except perhaps autistic people and small children, who can be blind to social realities).<br /><br />Then you point to the fact that the social realities of race are complex. Well, isn't that a reason for our lack of colorblindness to be attuned to the complexity of racial realities rather than ignoring the complexity that you're pointing to? It's a good argument for not thinking monolithically, but it's not a good argument for ignoring race.Jeremy Piercehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441308872350317672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-59355009267872907052016-04-08T20:27:37.230-04:002016-04-08T20:27:37.230-04:00In reading through this thread and the other James...In reading through this thread and the other James White post combox I was struck by how Biblically unthinking the discussions appeared to be.<br /><br />After all, "race" and "racism" (scare quotes!) are modern, not Scriptural constructs. The Bible says that God <b><i>"made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation"</i></b> (Acts 17:26).<br /><br />There are precisely two "races" on the earth, the race of the redeemed and the race of the unredeemed. That's the witness of Scripture.<br /><br />The Lord has promised to redeem men and women, the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve from every kingdom, tribe, tongue and nation (the families of mankind He has sovereignly brought into being).<br /><br />I don't see these types of discussions as being particularly helpful at all for Christians except as apologetic opportunities when unbelievers attempt to moralize about "racism", as if they had some objective reason why "racism" is immoral, wrong, etc.<br /><br />It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, survival of the fittest, right? Where do they get their "ought" from?<br /><br />That's basically the only discussion I can see that's worth having in the current context. The opportunity to press the unbeliever for an answer, and to unmask his utter inability to provide a cogent, coherent, logical, objective basis for his moralizing and sermonizing, and second to gently instruct believers to think Biblically.<br /><br />Just my two cents worth.CRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03231394164372721485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-60265529343107465362016-04-08T17:21:13.187-04:002016-04-08T17:21:13.187-04:00Amen.Amen.Kirk Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06142889734004402296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-48651451450260695002016-04-08T17:06:24.875-04:002016-04-08T17:06:24.875-04:001) Given that ethnicity and cultural distinctives ...1) Given that ethnicity and cultural distinctives often follow similar lines, it's natural if sometimes inaccurate for people to refer to race in cultural terms.<br /><br />2) Given that a primary factor in the spread of the Gospel has been it's transcendent adaptability to various cultures, it's reasonable to analyze the role race plays in each culture for the purpose of evangelism.<br /><br />3) Given that one aspect of evangelizing is addressing sin, it's reasonable that people in cultures being evangelized who greatly desire to remain unrepentant will be put off by that aspect.<br /><br />4) Elevating one's race or culture to the point of idolatry is sin. Many so-called whites have done this. Many so-called blacks have done this. If it's racist to point that out, then I'm a racist. But it would also be the case that people who level that charge are idolaters and don't like being told so and inasmuch as they intend to vilify such a racist, they are slandering someone who would call them to repentance in order for them to demonstrate the fruits of the very salvation Christ affords us.<br /><br />This is why "white", "black", "Asian", "Hispanic", whatever, people who wish to be called by the name of Christ need to get over their racial and cultural pride.Jim Pembertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446388434272680014noreply@blogger.com