RACISM & The White Church Challenge

From Facebook: 

I often speak of the church and its engagement within the community. Most times I am interpreted as focusing on the Black church (a church where membership is made up of predominately Black individuals and families) and it's involvement...

However, I want to be clear I will ask, where is the voice of the White minister and the White church on the issues?

From the pulpit, WILL YOU CALL OUT RACISM AS UNGODLY AND RACISTS AS LOST AND IN NEED OF REPENTANCE? Will you let THE ALT-RIGHT AND WHITE SUPREMACISTS RACISTS know they are not saved and in danger of hell's fire?

I challenge the White church, churches whose membership is predominately comprised of White individuals and families, to lead rallies all around the country and in every community to condemn White supremacy, alt-rightism and race based fascism and injustice. 

We know that ALL hatred is sin! However, we are dealing with the sin and evil of White supremacy, which had its stronghold on this nation for generations. That sin has cost the lives of families for all generations. That hatred separated and damaged not only Black families, but White families forever. It is this form of hatred that must be condemned. Noone need be detract from the message of condemning that form of racist hate and un-Americanism. 

Unlike the inadequate response of our President who condemns wrong on "many sides" let us condemn wrong on the side from which it has arisen...wrong on the side of RACIAL HATE, based on White supremacy, White nationalism and White racial intolerance. 

I challenge White churches (churches whose membership is comprised primarily of

White individuals and families) to not only call this sin and evil out but evangelize the lost! Reach and teach the truth of racial equality to them that hold these views, and commit to evangelizing the hearts and souls OF THE LOST with the TRUTH of God's word. 

I would ask that all my Facebook friends share this with their pastors and church leaders everywhere. Encourage every church and church leaders to engage. It is the CHURCH that should be a beacon to the community. Let US take our place and be the salt of the earth and light that Jesus has called us to be in these times and condemn White supremacy and racial injustice clearly, forthrightly, and in a unified manner. 

Pastor Harvey Burnett

New Bethel COGIC 

The Dunamis Word

Read more!

Hate That Only Loves Itself

This blog will not be used to spread hate, dissidence or any other dogma antithetical to a healthy society, community and church.

I thought that I should make that message clear based on information that I recently received. We do not agree with ongoing antagonistic efforts against any individual or person. We challenge, debate and speak of societal issues strongly. We gladly point out problematic doctrine and identify personalities and practices that take advantage of people, society and do the church harm. We continue to identify dogmas and teachings both secular and religious which we feel are detrimental to the growth and the long term sustainability of our families, churches and community, but we decry all forms of hate speech, methodology and public or private violence and dissidence. 

Secular/Religious Ideals & Politics

The Dunamis Word gladly points out political policies which we feel are damaging on any number of levels, but once a case is made, we do not and will not continue to revisit the issues and will not attack personalities in an undue fashion. We do not promote anarchy whether that is public or in the church. Leadership is essential to any community and our purpose is to present ideas that will not only challenge leadership, but also make leaders accountable and ultimately make communities better. We will not be a part of unfounded personal rhetoric or attacks beyond the issues at hand and demand that accusations be accurate, pertinent to the subject and rooted by certain supports such as reasonable logic, or physical proofs.

Our Presidency

Since the election and installation of President Obama there has been an upturn of what is described as religious and political conservatism. This type of conservatism is nothing new, but it has taken a serious turn and become more radical akin to some brands of religious extremism. Recently we received information that was no shorter than hate speech filled with physical threats toward many of our governmental and political leaders. We notified authorities immediately and have placed such information in the proper hands. We decry the proliferation of such sentiments even if they are based on religious dogma and more specifically Christian dogmas or biblical scriptures. The message is clear, neither this blog, nor this author lends his time to destroying our country by wishing evil on it's political and secular leadership. With that said, there are a few things that I would like to address as I have observed what seems to be a circus of activity since the country elected it's first Black President.

Faulty Assumptions:

I: The Myth Of A Christian Nation

The problem is that many religious political conservatives mistakenly assume that America is or was a Christian nation. While there is a ring of truth to that statement we should know that there is not neither has there ever been a Christian nation. A truly Christian nation would never have built itself on the backs of slaves, broken land trusts and undermined hopes. That same Christian nation would not have driven Geronimo's and Cochise's children into Mexico and Canada and then create laws to keep them out when they wish to come back home.

Click HERE for Gregory A. Boyd's book.

Read more!

This DOESN'T Fulfill The Mission Of Christ

The post modern culture has presented some pretty interesting and thought provoking issues. Whether it's issues of sexual practice, abortion or political issues, there seems to be more than a person can shake a stick at.

This year there have been no issues more polarizing than abortion and homosexuality. The outcry on both sides of the issue has been fantastic by itself not to mention the times that major discussions and situations hit and settles in the news.

For example, Sunday May 31st 2009 (Pentecost Sunday) late term abortion Dr., Dr. George Tiller (67) was tragically gunned down during Sunday services at Reformation Lutheran Church where he was serving as an usher. The suspect, a mentally ill man (Scott Roeder-51), who some say claimed to be a part of an activist, defunct, anti-government group called the Freemen, was responsible for taking the life of Dr. Tiller.

The Dunamis Word and New Bethel Ministries without equivocation, totally and fully decries the taking of life whether it be of the lives of the babies of abortion or the medical professionals who perform such operations and provide such services. We REJECT to the fullest any sentiments or extremists views that find it acceptable to engage in criminal practices against medical professionals who preform abortion services. Taking life at any stage of life in a senseless act like this is certainly not ordained or authorized by God in any manner. We further reject the notion that the best way to fight for the right to life is to be engaged in the intimidation and eventual murder of the innocent. We encourage love instead of hate and vigorous and peaceful debate in order to properly, fully and adequately address cultural issues such as abortion and the abortion industry.

While any term abortion is an unacceptable practice, there are certain complication that can occur late term which only a few doctors in the United States are equipped by training to deal with. The results here are tragic and are not without consequence for all the families involved.

Update 6/7/2009: Todd Friel at Wretched reports that Dr. Tiller had performed over 60,000 murders of childern through his profession over his career. Watch his report and response to this murder:

Thank God for Todd's assessment. Extremism, fundamentalism, and radical, vigilante interpretations of truth are NOT what the Lord is calling for in times like these. Abortion has created its share of problems for sure but how one reacts to abortion and the abortion industry can make the difference in helping to change mindsets and ridding ourselves of the bad decisions that lead to such acivity.

On November 22, 2006 Bill O'Rielly.com reported that Dr. Tiller was providing abortions late term to young rape and incest victims. Even if this was the case, there is yet no sanction for this sort of action. This event is greater than Dr. Tiller. This is about living socially, equitably and morally with all persons. A radical fundamentalist only sees one side of the issue and are not open to the fact that killing Dr. Tiller, was not only a criminal act, it was unsanctioned murder, opposed to God's plan to correct social wrong and morally wrong. This act also deprived children and grandchildren of their father and grandfather on in irrational and emotional whim. There are many disagreements that we have over the issue of abortion, but none of those disagreements should lead to bombings, shootings, murder or even physical threats.

How does one know if they espouse radical and fundamentalist views? Usually the mouth is a good indicator of the heart and some say statements like these:

1- You reap what you sew. If he hadn't been killing children he wouldn't have been killed.

2- If he was really in church or saved he wouldn't have been an abortion doctor anyway.

3- God showed him. God's judgement is real!

4- Well at least he won't kill another baby

5- Tiller was a baby killer anyway, good for him.

6- How could he be an abortion Dr. and be a Christian? His church wasn't teaching anything anyway.

7- Sad thing but what more could he expect, 'cause God's not pleased with that.

Some of these suggestions are more difficult than others but these are just some of the sayings that radical fundamentalists will espouse during a tragic times such as this. The true church should realize that we can best fight this battle through prayer, petetion, presenting our case in the public forum and most of all through living and exemplifying the love of Christ. Display love toward the women that seek abortions and the personel that preform them.

Abortion has done it's damage and is doing the damage everyday, but Christians SHOULD NOT add to the fire by killing people because of it and neither should they endorse, encourage or support those who do. As Todd states justice will be served by God himself.

Mt. 5:13-16 ~ "13-Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14-Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15-Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16-Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Blessed!

Read more!