Today (or more exactly, yesterday) is a national holiday, which may come as a surprise to some. It is designated as Juneteenth and is regarded as the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Its history dates back to 1865. On June 19th of that year, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, announcing that the Civil War had ended. Those who had been enslaved were now free. Mind you, this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Why were Texans slow to get the message? It seems it was due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. When General Lee surrendered in April of 1865, and General Granger’s regiment arrived, forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
In our modern way of thinking, it seems most people of faith cannot fathom the holding of slaves. We deceive ourselves. In fact, for years people who professed to follow Jesus would take certain Bible passages to justify slavery. Just like today—when people attempt to legitimize other sinful behavior by reinterpreting Scripture. (More on that coming up.)
The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) has had their own challenges dealing with racism. I have attended a local CRC congregation since 2005. In 1957, discussions within the CRC circled around segregation. And according to the denomination’s website, “During the 1960s and 1970s the church dealt with the issue at home as it struggled through a race-related case regarding Timothy Christian School in Cicero, Illinois, and abroad as it held discussions with the Reformed Churches in South Africa regarding its policy of apartheid.”
Just last week, the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) issued an apology for four incidents of racism that allegedly took place during the meeting—by more than one person. That Assembly “also passed a statement of “sorrow and regret” without dissent on Friday.” Some of the accusations appear to be questionable.
Juneteenth offers an opportunity for positive discussions on where we have moved forward on issues of race—and where we have not. Those discussions can certainly be awkward. But necessary.
In similar fashion, discussions on human sexuality can become very awkward. Even heated. They can separate family, friends, coworkers, and churches.
In the annual meeting of the CRC denomination, a remarkable vote was taken last week affirming a biblical view on human sexuality. In meetings held at Calvin University in Michigan, the delegates voted 123-53 to approve language on the “biblical theology” of sexuality.
After two long days of debate, a list was approved of what the denomination calls sexual immorality. The behaviors it found unacceptable included “adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography, and homosexual sex.”
In this day and age, this was an extraordinary vote. Several “mainline denominations” have broken apart on the issues of human sexuality. The CRC extended their vote to make their decision a “confessional” position—meaning it ranks with the creeds of the church in terms of conviction.
Mind you, this stand was taken during June, the so-called “Pride Month.” And the consequences of standing firm could be significant in impacting congregations as well as all levels of academic instruction. In other words, it could be costly in a number of ways.
That is the price of truth. Following Jesus can be costly. It could mean losing friends. Family. Everything. In Jesus' words, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33 (ESV)
I was thrilled that the delegates of the CRC held biblical ground. Elsewhere, that ground has crumbled. Bowing to the god of the culture.
Never a good idea.
That’s Forward Thinking.
You can find a number of YouTube episodes and podcasts of Mark’s program, Moving People Forward at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosyuBzdSh1mXIas_kGY2Aw?
For more information on the Elfstrand Group, please visit www.elfstrandgroup.com
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