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The Problem of Slavery in Christian America
Today’s Christians and conservatives are largely unaware of the extent of the suffering of blacks in American History, from slavery to Jim Crow to the 1960s and even to today. They are largely unaware how systematic it was and what institutions were created specifically to maintain the injustices. Christians are largely unaware that their own clergy and churches were among the leading proponents of the systems, and have no idea of the convicting and sad reasons why, or of the theological justifications employed for turning a blind eye to the injustice, or worse, active perpetuation of it. That such theologies are still widely taught today—and are in some cases the norm—is not a good sign when so many social ills still surround a silent church. In general, Christians and conservatives are not nearly as informed as they may think when it comes to understanding black history in the United States and the black saga it contains.
The Problem of Slavery in Christian America aims at providing otherwise well-intended Christians and conservatives a deeper understanding of that history, a starting point for discussion and, if necessary, repentance, and with a biblical response to the larger problem of racism, all while refusing to capitulate to non-Christian leftism.
The Problem of Slavery in Christian America aims at providing otherwise well-intended Christians and conservatives a deeper understanding of that history, a starting point for discussion and, if necessary, repentance, and with a biblical response to the larger problem of racism, all while refusing to capitulate to non-Christian leftism.
436 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
4 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Joel McDurmon
42 books64 followersJoel McDurmon, Ph.D. in Theology from Pretoria University, is the Director of Research for American Vision. He has authored seven books and also serves as a lecturer and regular contributor to the American Vision website. He joined American Vision's staff in the June of 2008. Joel and his wife and four sons live in Dallas, Georgia.
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June 26, 2019
With the problem of race in America persisting as an issue, it is imperative that Christians have a biblical response to the problem of race and a remedy to share within the church and with the unbelieving world. Christians have taken many approaches to this problem, and most of these approaches are simply baptized versions of secular theories. Joel McDurmon has given us a book that will help build a more firm foundation for the problem of race in America, and help ensure Christians are thinking and acting biblically, rather than worldly.
The title of the book, "The Problem of Slavery in Christian America" sets the stage well. For American slavery is a glaring problem for any looking at the historical record. Many like to assert that America was founded as a "Christian nation" which is quite problematic when you consider that the nation was essentially built upon the economic system with slavery as its cornerstone.
The book is far too long and detailed, and time too short to offer a comprehensive review, so instead I will offer McDurmon’s main arguments.
1. Slavery was driven by greed. European settlers wanted cheap labor, and found white indentured servants became competitors after their terms expired. African slavery and racist ideology could justify raced-based slavery.
2. Colonists in America abandoned English Common Law in favor of Roman civil law, in order to circumvent the more biblically faithful Common Law. When slaves began appealing for their freedom after becoming Christians, colonists changed the law such that they would remain slaves, even using the Bible to defend this change. And so American settlers would use the laws of the land to "...frame injustice by statute." (Ps. 94:20)
3. Colonists changed laws to favor slavery, and even subsidize it economically. Once the laws were changed, they could shelter themselves under the law, and justify their immorality by arguing they were simply “obeying the civil magistrate.”
4. Slaveholders in most cases could not legally free their slaves, or if they could, they would have to pay vast sums of money to return them to Africa.
5. Northern colonies became complicit in slavery not only by acting as the primary slave merchants, but by gaining economically by trading with, and in fact subsidizing the slave economy of the Caribbean which was invested 100% in the sugar industry, such that without the northern colonies trading with them, they would have not been able to eat or supply themselves with tools and supplies necessary for life.
6. At every point where slave holders were confronted with the evils of slavery they hardened themselves to it rather than seeking repentance and restitution.
7. Whites held a double-standard regarding blacks. They argued that Africans whose “greater tolerance for disease, harsh work and climate and pain allegedly ‘arose from their barbarism and savagery, which Europeans constantly likened to that of animals.’ Therefore racism and biology became ‘mutually reinforcing… where blacks excelled in strength, endurance, and health, whites attributed it to a closer kinship with animals than humans. Where blacks suffered more greatly however, it confirmed their inherent deficiency, filthiness, laziness, neglect of children, etc.” p. 39-40
8. “The majority of slave laws passed had the aim not only of subjugating the black race and enslaving them permanently, but of maintaining control.” This became a pattern not just during the era of slavery but of Jim Crow but on through today. This is perhaps the most important theme in the book—that the law has continued to act as a mechanism of controlling and subjugating the black population.
9. During the American Revolution there was a conscious double-standard in the rhetoric justifying the revolution because “Britons are our oppressors… we are slaves.”
10. Even George Washington sought to prevent his slaves from gaining their freedom, admitting the economic benefits he gained from them.
11. Both North and South consciously established slavery and the slave trade in the U.S. Constitution, and the economic gain they both received by it.
12. Slavery was the very cornerstone of life in the South. In 1804, a “… national convention of Abolitionists reported of North Carolina that the inhabitants of that state, consider the preservation of their lives, and all that they hold dear on earth, as depending on the continuance of slavery, and are even riveting more firmly the fetters of opposition.” p. 84
13. Slaveholders consciously profited by the birth of babies born into slavery. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I consider the labor of a breeding woman as no object, and that a child raised every 2. Years as of more profit tan the crop of the best laboring man.” This in fact became the reason that southerners would outlaw the slave trade from Africa.
14. Emancipation brought little relief after the Civil War. “The whole societies of the North and South were consumed by the belief that blacks were a degraded race…” p. 174 “Between the black codes already in place for the free blacks of the South and the extensive discriminations, both social and legal, against free blacks in the North, the slaves had no chance of freedom from racism, oppression, degradation, discrimination, and even violence…” p. 182
15. The “convict lease system” in the South after the Civil War and well into the 20th century became a form of legally sanctioned slavery—leveraging Jim Crow laws to imprison blacks—particularly men, and then put them to forced labor. This was a profit-system for sheriffs and police for decades. p. 213-218
16. The Church was not only complicit in supporting the ideology behind slavery, but couldn’t have existed without the moral support offered by the clergy.
17. Slaveholders either refused to evangelize their slaves or used the Gospel as a means of making them more servile. This “gospel” was a small, condensed version that amounted to teaching their slaves to “Serve your masters. Don’t steal your master’s turkey. Don’t steal your master’s chickens. Don’t steal your master’s hogs. Don’t steal your master’s meat. Do whatsomeever your master tells you to do.” p. 245
18. Confessing Christian slaveholders had worse reputations than non-confessing slaveholders.
19. Christians tainted their witness to blacks. “…whole audiences full of slaves were known to get up and leave the preaching services of missionaries when they began to preach on stealing. They simply could not stomach the hypocrisy. One former slave who had successfully escaped to Canada recalled his old mixed Baptist church in Virginia used to preach the golden rule without even recognizing ‘what they were doing to their own brethren in Christ.’ He despaired that any could be saved.”
20. The churches sowed the seeds of racism that were difficult to root up later. “…churches had defended the necessity of preserving the slave system explicitly on racial grounds, appealing to the Bible, nature, reason, and a variety of anecdotes, historical and current. The War may have abolished the institution, but it did not abolish the racism at its root. The racism was left to manifest in other forms.” p. 269-270
21. The churches used the cover of the civil magistrate, rather than bring the Word of God to bear upon unjust, unchristian laws. Baptists “exonerated the barbaric civil law of castrating a runaway slave because ‘its presumed, this law was made by the Majestrate, and So the more binding…” p. 308
22. There is evidence that many slaveholders were consumed with guilt over their ownership and treatment of slaves, but this guilt crippled them, and in fact hardened them to the gospel, rather than bringing them to repentance. p. 326-328
23. Slavery was not innocuous and in fact was evil from root to tip in every case. There are those that argue for a more “paternalistic” view of slavery. But this cannot be defended. Common sentiment in the South concerning the governance of slaves was that “They can’t be governed without the whip.” Whipping and oppression were inherent in the slave system. p. 351
24. As Charles Dickens documented in his book “American Notes” it was common to find advertisements in papers for runaway slaves. These advertisements invariably described the scars or deformities that were the result of physical abuse. p. 352-353
25. Rape and sexual assault were common experiences for slave women. p. 360-370
As McDurmon concludes the book, he applies the historical facts to today’s situation. He writes, “We, all of us—but conservatives especially—are adept at trying to absolve ourselves in this area [the reality of slavery as a national sin] through the argument from necessity. We acknowledge that liberal programs make problems worse, and yet liberal politicians call only for more liberal programs. Blacks generally receive liberal promises openly, so conservative writers end up sounding as if they resent both the liberals and the blacks. When conservatives foresee matters only getting worse, they hunker down and call for more police, more ‘law and order,’ and more ‘tough on crime’ action. We have to do this out of necessity—self-preservation, they say. If we do not, drug dealers will rule the streets, etc. The slave owners, Jim Crow segregationalists, and others employed this same argument to justify their prejudices, too… But there is no absolution through fear; only through love This means there is no remedy through the state, only through private individuals.” p. 392-393
I think this is the key to the problem of race in America. Conservatives need to take a new approach that empathizes with the plight of blacks in America. We cannot continue fighting political battles with rhetoric that only alienates blacks. We must strive to find private solutions and remove the unjust laws that continue to enslave blacks even today.
Now, on to some more personal reflections. It seems rather clear that Christian witness was poisoned by Christians, such that Christians must understand that we have to restore the trust that our forefathers demolished through their self-righteous and wicked treatment of blacks for centuries. This will take time, love, and humility.
We must understand that blacks are suspicious of law and legal system because whites have for so long manipulated the law to our advantage and their disadvantage. Again, this takes empathy and understanding. Blacks are rightly suspicious about the legislative activity and judicial biases even today.
Rather than resenting blacks for welfare, we ought to sympathize with them and help them to understand that the welfare system is yet another way of enslaving and manipulating the black population.
More importantly we must come to understand that the drug war, ‘three-strike laws’, and incarceration system are ways that we use to enslave and control blacks that we fear. We must work to end these injustices.
McDurmon’s book is a good foundation for further reflection on the state of racism in 21st century America. Hopefully others will continue down this path toward healing. I fear that the church instead will follow the path of secularlists whose primary objective is “The Politics of Guilt and Pity” as R.J. Rushdoony has written elsewhere.
The title of the book, "The Problem of Slavery in Christian America" sets the stage well. For American slavery is a glaring problem for any looking at the historical record. Many like to assert that America was founded as a "Christian nation" which is quite problematic when you consider that the nation was essentially built upon the economic system with slavery as its cornerstone.
The book is far too long and detailed, and time too short to offer a comprehensive review, so instead I will offer McDurmon’s main arguments.
1. Slavery was driven by greed. European settlers wanted cheap labor, and found white indentured servants became competitors after their terms expired. African slavery and racist ideology could justify raced-based slavery.
2. Colonists in America abandoned English Common Law in favor of Roman civil law, in order to circumvent the more biblically faithful Common Law. When slaves began appealing for their freedom after becoming Christians, colonists changed the law such that they would remain slaves, even using the Bible to defend this change. And so American settlers would use the laws of the land to "...frame injustice by statute." (Ps. 94:20)
3. Colonists changed laws to favor slavery, and even subsidize it economically. Once the laws were changed, they could shelter themselves under the law, and justify their immorality by arguing they were simply “obeying the civil magistrate.”
4. Slaveholders in most cases could not legally free their slaves, or if they could, they would have to pay vast sums of money to return them to Africa.
5. Northern colonies became complicit in slavery not only by acting as the primary slave merchants, but by gaining economically by trading with, and in fact subsidizing the slave economy of the Caribbean which was invested 100% in the sugar industry, such that without the northern colonies trading with them, they would have not been able to eat or supply themselves with tools and supplies necessary for life.
6. At every point where slave holders were confronted with the evils of slavery they hardened themselves to it rather than seeking repentance and restitution.
7. Whites held a double-standard regarding blacks. They argued that Africans whose “greater tolerance for disease, harsh work and climate and pain allegedly ‘arose from their barbarism and savagery, which Europeans constantly likened to that of animals.’ Therefore racism and biology became ‘mutually reinforcing… where blacks excelled in strength, endurance, and health, whites attributed it to a closer kinship with animals than humans. Where blacks suffered more greatly however, it confirmed their inherent deficiency, filthiness, laziness, neglect of children, etc.” p. 39-40
8. “The majority of slave laws passed had the aim not only of subjugating the black race and enslaving them permanently, but of maintaining control.” This became a pattern not just during the era of slavery but of Jim Crow but on through today. This is perhaps the most important theme in the book—that the law has continued to act as a mechanism of controlling and subjugating the black population.
9. During the American Revolution there was a conscious double-standard in the rhetoric justifying the revolution because “Britons are our oppressors… we are slaves.”
10. Even George Washington sought to prevent his slaves from gaining their freedom, admitting the economic benefits he gained from them.
11. Both North and South consciously established slavery and the slave trade in the U.S. Constitution, and the economic gain they both received by it.
12. Slavery was the very cornerstone of life in the South. In 1804, a “… national convention of Abolitionists reported of North Carolina that the inhabitants of that state, consider the preservation of their lives, and all that they hold dear on earth, as depending on the continuance of slavery, and are even riveting more firmly the fetters of opposition.” p. 84
13. Slaveholders consciously profited by the birth of babies born into slavery. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I consider the labor of a breeding woman as no object, and that a child raised every 2. Years as of more profit tan the crop of the best laboring man.” This in fact became the reason that southerners would outlaw the slave trade from Africa.
14. Emancipation brought little relief after the Civil War. “The whole societies of the North and South were consumed by the belief that blacks were a degraded race…” p. 174 “Between the black codes already in place for the free blacks of the South and the extensive discriminations, both social and legal, against free blacks in the North, the slaves had no chance of freedom from racism, oppression, degradation, discrimination, and even violence…” p. 182
15. The “convict lease system” in the South after the Civil War and well into the 20th century became a form of legally sanctioned slavery—leveraging Jim Crow laws to imprison blacks—particularly men, and then put them to forced labor. This was a profit-system for sheriffs and police for decades. p. 213-218
16. The Church was not only complicit in supporting the ideology behind slavery, but couldn’t have existed without the moral support offered by the clergy.
17. Slaveholders either refused to evangelize their slaves or used the Gospel as a means of making them more servile. This “gospel” was a small, condensed version that amounted to teaching their slaves to “Serve your masters. Don’t steal your master’s turkey. Don’t steal your master’s chickens. Don’t steal your master’s hogs. Don’t steal your master’s meat. Do whatsomeever your master tells you to do.” p. 245
18. Confessing Christian slaveholders had worse reputations than non-confessing slaveholders.
19. Christians tainted their witness to blacks. “…whole audiences full of slaves were known to get up and leave the preaching services of missionaries when they began to preach on stealing. They simply could not stomach the hypocrisy. One former slave who had successfully escaped to Canada recalled his old mixed Baptist church in Virginia used to preach the golden rule without even recognizing ‘what they were doing to their own brethren in Christ.’ He despaired that any could be saved.”
20. The churches sowed the seeds of racism that were difficult to root up later. “…churches had defended the necessity of preserving the slave system explicitly on racial grounds, appealing to the Bible, nature, reason, and a variety of anecdotes, historical and current. The War may have abolished the institution, but it did not abolish the racism at its root. The racism was left to manifest in other forms.” p. 269-270
21. The churches used the cover of the civil magistrate, rather than bring the Word of God to bear upon unjust, unchristian laws. Baptists “exonerated the barbaric civil law of castrating a runaway slave because ‘its presumed, this law was made by the Majestrate, and So the more binding…” p. 308
22. There is evidence that many slaveholders were consumed with guilt over their ownership and treatment of slaves, but this guilt crippled them, and in fact hardened them to the gospel, rather than bringing them to repentance. p. 326-328
23. Slavery was not innocuous and in fact was evil from root to tip in every case. There are those that argue for a more “paternalistic” view of slavery. But this cannot be defended. Common sentiment in the South concerning the governance of slaves was that “They can’t be governed without the whip.” Whipping and oppression were inherent in the slave system. p. 351
24. As Charles Dickens documented in his book “American Notes” it was common to find advertisements in papers for runaway slaves. These advertisements invariably described the scars or deformities that were the result of physical abuse. p. 352-353
25. Rape and sexual assault were common experiences for slave women. p. 360-370
As McDurmon concludes the book, he applies the historical facts to today’s situation. He writes, “We, all of us—but conservatives especially—are adept at trying to absolve ourselves in this area [the reality of slavery as a national sin] through the argument from necessity. We acknowledge that liberal programs make problems worse, and yet liberal politicians call only for more liberal programs. Blacks generally receive liberal promises openly, so conservative writers end up sounding as if they resent both the liberals and the blacks. When conservatives foresee matters only getting worse, they hunker down and call for more police, more ‘law and order,’ and more ‘tough on crime’ action. We have to do this out of necessity—self-preservation, they say. If we do not, drug dealers will rule the streets, etc. The slave owners, Jim Crow segregationalists, and others employed this same argument to justify their prejudices, too… But there is no absolution through fear; only through love This means there is no remedy through the state, only through private individuals.” p. 392-393
I think this is the key to the problem of race in America. Conservatives need to take a new approach that empathizes with the plight of blacks in America. We cannot continue fighting political battles with rhetoric that only alienates blacks. We must strive to find private solutions and remove the unjust laws that continue to enslave blacks even today.
Now, on to some more personal reflections. It seems rather clear that Christian witness was poisoned by Christians, such that Christians must understand that we have to restore the trust that our forefathers demolished through their self-righteous and wicked treatment of blacks for centuries. This will take time, love, and humility.
We must understand that blacks are suspicious of law and legal system because whites have for so long manipulated the law to our advantage and their disadvantage. Again, this takes empathy and understanding. Blacks are rightly suspicious about the legislative activity and judicial biases even today.
Rather than resenting blacks for welfare, we ought to sympathize with them and help them to understand that the welfare system is yet another way of enslaving and manipulating the black population.
More importantly we must come to understand that the drug war, ‘three-strike laws’, and incarceration system are ways that we use to enslave and control blacks that we fear. We must work to end these injustices.
McDurmon’s book is a good foundation for further reflection on the state of racism in 21st century America. Hopefully others will continue down this path toward healing. I fear that the church instead will follow the path of secularlists whose primary objective is “The Politics of Guilt and Pity” as R.J. Rushdoony has written elsewhere.
August 31, 2020
The Problem of Slavery in Christian America: A Review
Most conservative evangelicals know only a basic history on American slavery. When I say basic, I should mean bite sized; an extremely shallow understanding. This was me before this book. This book is a perfect introduction on the reality of how deeply rooted slavery, and racism, was rooted at the foundation of the America. I will share some key points from the book that I found was significant and would be of help for you.
With the current events (I am writing this review in August of 2020) of riots, civil unrest, and the brutal death of George Floyd at the hands of police brutality, this has inspired me to get a better grasp on our country’s racist history. Many white conservative Christians are also wanting to follow suit but don’t know where to begin. Well, begin here.
The Earliest Christian Slaves first known to arrive was in 1619 after the first plantation of colonies, known as Jamestown, established in 1607. This was ultimately the origin of American slavery. There were 2 main catalysts that started American Slavery; particularly the trans-Atlantic slave trade:
“A tremendous boom in tobacco production......and the increased proficiency of the transatlantic slave trade.” pg. 3
It was unclear if the original slaves that came were indentured or permanent slaves but there are records of many indentured white servants as well as black indentured servants up until the 1670’s.
As time went on there would be times where a master would rape, have an affair or sleep with a female slave and impregnate her. Originally, the slave master’s interracial child would be considered a “free” man given the birthright followed the father. However, they didn’t want mixed races intermingling into society, so they changed the law where the child’s birthright would follow then mother. This essentially would make the mixed baby a slave to their own Father.
McDurmon makes it clear that as time went on the “strengthening of slave codes” were made to enforce the subjugation, and limited “rights” of black slaves. For example, below are a list of some dates of these black codes or laws:
1705 the Virginia Act, prohibited interracial marriage. Pastors who performed such marriages would be fined 10,000 pounds of tobacco (half a years salary). The act prohibited free blacks from owning slaves. Whites couldn’t buy or sell to blacks without masters permission. High rewards for catching slaves. The “casual killing” principle left whites with virtual Immunity to kill a black slave. Essentially, “if any slave resist his master...and to be killed in such an action...such incident had never happened.” If any slave were to plan an escape and leave the colony, get caught, he/she “could be killed with immunity”.
In 1712 any white could kill anyone’s slave and just get a fine. The 1723 Act ended all suffrage for free blacks. Blacks couldn’t be freed anymore for any reason in Virginia. They couldn’t testify against whites in court. In 1735 they made all slaves wear distinct clothing and prohibited them from wearing non-slave clothing. The 1740 Act prohibited slaves to write and prohibited them from walking in groups of 7 or more. South Carolina officially called them “Chattel personal” while Virginia didn’t publicly make it “official” yet held to it. There are many more that were passed that he goes in depth on that went into force throughout the years.
It is often believed the the North wasn’t as bad. However, McDurmon points out that is largely false. In fact, the North came to their “systematic slave codes” even earlier than the south did by 1702. Virtually all of what we described but with the small caveat of you can’t kill your slave or dismember them. Capital punishment was up for a free woman but not for the raping of a slave!
One of the saddest realities McDurmon mentions was that many masters would go to church but refuse to preach the gospel or share the gospel with their slaves. There were many accounts where slaves recalled master’s drunkenness and wicked behavior, yet go to church on Sunday. This of course, no doubt, was due to the belief that since blacks were chattel, they were not human.
The book goes over several well known historic figures such as abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, Nat Turner and the case of Dred Scott. These figures were important because William Lloyd Garrison and abolitionist propaganda spurred rebellions. In 1831 Nat Turner who “led one of the largest, if not the largest, slave rebellions in American history....killing about 60 whites.” Pg 118. Incidents like this sparked the “Virginia Slave Debates” from 1831-1832. The debates weren’t about abolishing slavery but more-so clamping down, stating “it was too dangerous” to emancipate. This also caused even further slave codes to crack down on incidents like Nat Turner. Out of fear for more rebellion they removed all bibles and hymn literature to prevent inspiration of more revolts.
Finally, the legal case of Dred Scott came about where it solidified blacks as “property not persons” on a national basis. He was owned by a U.S. Army Captain. They lived in the free states of Illinois and Wisconsin (The North). As a result Dred Scott sued for his freedom since slavery was outlawed. Unfortunately he revealed the anti-black, racist policy in the constitution that even though he was in a “free state” he still couldn’t get his freedom “by deciding that the constitution never intended to include blacks as citizens.” Pg 156
Perhaps the saddest, yet most important part of this book, in my opinion, came from chapters 8 and 9. Chapter 8, titled, The Greatest Pro Slavery Army elaborates on the church’s role in the perpetuation of slavery in the south, while chapter 9 discusses the Confederate revisionist history after reconstruction (post civil war and emancipation).
To give a brief rundown on the meat of each chapter, chapter 8 discusses how Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian and southern baptist church’s all defended slavery.
McDurmon did list several instances throughout American history where ministers did speak out. Sadly, there were less of these as opposed to more. Usually when a minister would preach against slavery they would be defrocked, removed from their post and silenced. This was well documented. In fact ministers in the south failed to rebuke and discipline slavemasters which made it worse.
There were 2 occurrences, McDurmon shares, of when the Presbyterian Church spoke out in 1818 (that’s where it ended) and an old Quaker named George Keith against slavery. Quakers generally spoke out against slavery. These were particularly neat to read. George Keith held the earliest printed tract against slavery ever recorded on pages 289-291,
1.) Quakers (Christians) are not to receive or buy stolen goods, and slavery has at its root manstealing which is a far greater crime than merely buying stolen goods (Ex 21:16)
2.) The Golden Rule. If we ourselves do not desire to be in bondage and slavery against our consent, neither should we keep anyone else so, let alone those who have done no harm.
3.) Because fugitive slaves ought to be given their freedom and live at liberty among us (Deut 23;15-16). If this was true under the Mosaic dispensation, how much more ought it to be true under the Gospel?
4.) Because immigrants ought not to be oppressed in our Land, neither should the poor and needy (Deut. 24:14,15, Ex 12:21). Yet while the blacks are all of the above, they are oppressed by us more greatly than anyone has been oppressed! Not only are they stolen captive, and whipped, but families are ripped apart, "Husband from the Wife, and the Children from the parents".
5.) Slave souls were the merchandise of Babylon (Rev 18:4-5; 13:10), and the Lord says, "be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive not of her plagues."
Unfortunately, there seemed to be far too few of these voices.
McDurmon brings up prominent pro slavery apologists like Southern Presbyterian Minister Robert Dabney and James Henley Thornwell. Dabney was a classic white supremacist and believed blacks shouldn’t pastor whites, or placed in any governmental role. He essentially argued and equated that giving blacks equality with whites is on par with the sin of abomination called, beastiality.
He includes quite a few quoted and engages with his arguments. One of the most destructive doctrines theologies were used in the pacification of injustice and evil of slavery. This was known as the “Two Kingdoms Theology”, argued for the General Assembly in 1859. Essentially this argument stated that the church’s job is just for spiritually related issues and that the church’s main and only concern should be with the salvation of man and not fight to fix and get involved with “worldly” laws. This was an abomination and distortion because it prevented the church leaders and members to try and get involved with the government to fight the evil of slavery. So instead of being a light, their influence perpetuated slavery. This ultimately advanced slavery and in many cases made it worse. If the church would have all stood up, who know how much sooner slavery could have ended. Take this quote from page 325,
“The greatest danger of two kingdoms ethics is that it creates a safe space for tyranny by silencing the pulpits and intimidating Christians into passivity on the Bible’s position on alleged “civil” and “political” topics.”
Many folks ended opposing the two kingdoms theology and those who did left those congregations and started their own.
Chapter 9 is an interesting chapter that goes into the revisionist history of the south. In other words, instead of acknowledging that slavery was the primary catalyst in the cession of the Union that began the civil war, they attempted to reinvent the reason as a violation of constitutional rights.
Robert Dabney was a big proponent of this revisionist history. He would downplay the abuses of slavery by either stating certain abuses didn’t happen or not much at all. For example, Dabney admitted that if a slave was murdered by a master “it was murder”. But the thing was, no blacks could testify or act as a witness to the murder unless the master in the head of the moment killed the slave in front of a White person. Page 356-357 states from Dabney’s contemporary, Dr. James A. Lyon that,
“The laws of the land did not sufficiently protect the lived of slaves....white man might take the life of a slave in the presence of 50 others, and yet if he was not seen by a white man there was no legs evidence against him.”
Perhaps one of the biggest subterfuge’s was the argument for “the happy slave”. An interesting historical argument made from McDurmon was from Charles Dickens’ tour of the U.S. in 1842. He lists a long list of newspaper ads for his book “American Notes” that describes the long lists of runaway slaves; approximately 50 ads. Many of whom describe the runaway slaves having scars, missing eyes, missing limbs, etc. he also makes the point of the many revolts and facts that if it were so great then there should be no reason to run.
Charles Hodge, Presbyterian Minister, and Abraham Lincoln Agreed it was over slavery. James Henley Thornwell wrote a 30 page essay defending slavery and to seceded as South Carolina. James Henley Thornwell admits the secession from the union would be due to slavery. Any doubters to the south’s reason for cession and civil war was slavery, just needs to look to North, Presby Minister, Charles Hodge side by side to James Henley Thornwell of the South. They agreed.
There are many other fictions to note that I’ll spare.
Concluding the book is the Epilogue and Appendix’s. The Epilogue goes into what the church good have done and admonishes and reiterated George Keith’s advice. If only the church followed the scriptures.
The Appendix’s go into ex slave interviews and the complication of their authenticity of their testimonies. He makes some good points on the timing and context of these long-after interviews done in the 1930’s—well after emancipation.
All in all, this was a very informative read. I would recommend this book for those seeking to understand the history of racism and chattel slavery in the United States. While it did, at times, feel “one sided” in the sense of very little on whites against slavery, I did find some nuggets like George Keith who were very inspirational. This book also made me realize how even Christians have tremendous blind spots within culture. I can’t help but think how deceptive and strong sin can be—even in the life of Christians. Makes me think, what is our modern day “slavery”, or respectable sins in our culture today. Abortion? Nationalism? Gluttony? All “food” for thought. One thing is for sure, the christian life ought to be tested up against the gospel and taking that to love your neighbor. I’ll end it here with a prominent quote from abolitionist and loather of slavery in his time (though not from the U.S), whose books were burned by southern ministers, Charles Spurgeon:
“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.”
Most conservative evangelicals know only a basic history on American slavery. When I say basic, I should mean bite sized; an extremely shallow understanding. This was me before this book. This book is a perfect introduction on the reality of how deeply rooted slavery, and racism, was rooted at the foundation of the America. I will share some key points from the book that I found was significant and would be of help for you.
With the current events (I am writing this review in August of 2020) of riots, civil unrest, and the brutal death of George Floyd at the hands of police brutality, this has inspired me to get a better grasp on our country’s racist history. Many white conservative Christians are also wanting to follow suit but don’t know where to begin. Well, begin here.
The Earliest Christian Slaves first known to arrive was in 1619 after the first plantation of colonies, known as Jamestown, established in 1607. This was ultimately the origin of American slavery. There were 2 main catalysts that started American Slavery; particularly the trans-Atlantic slave trade:
“A tremendous boom in tobacco production......and the increased proficiency of the transatlantic slave trade.” pg. 3
It was unclear if the original slaves that came were indentured or permanent slaves but there are records of many indentured white servants as well as black indentured servants up until the 1670’s.
As time went on there would be times where a master would rape, have an affair or sleep with a female slave and impregnate her. Originally, the slave master’s interracial child would be considered a “free” man given the birthright followed the father. However, they didn’t want mixed races intermingling into society, so they changed the law where the child’s birthright would follow then mother. This essentially would make the mixed baby a slave to their own Father.
McDurmon makes it clear that as time went on the “strengthening of slave codes” were made to enforce the subjugation, and limited “rights” of black slaves. For example, below are a list of some dates of these black codes or laws:
1705 the Virginia Act, prohibited interracial marriage. Pastors who performed such marriages would be fined 10,000 pounds of tobacco (half a years salary). The act prohibited free blacks from owning slaves. Whites couldn’t buy or sell to blacks without masters permission. High rewards for catching slaves. The “casual killing” principle left whites with virtual Immunity to kill a black slave. Essentially, “if any slave resist his master...and to be killed in such an action...such incident had never happened.” If any slave were to plan an escape and leave the colony, get caught, he/she “could be killed with immunity”.
In 1712 any white could kill anyone’s slave and just get a fine. The 1723 Act ended all suffrage for free blacks. Blacks couldn’t be freed anymore for any reason in Virginia. They couldn’t testify against whites in court. In 1735 they made all slaves wear distinct clothing and prohibited them from wearing non-slave clothing. The 1740 Act prohibited slaves to write and prohibited them from walking in groups of 7 or more. South Carolina officially called them “Chattel personal” while Virginia didn’t publicly make it “official” yet held to it. There are many more that were passed that he goes in depth on that went into force throughout the years.
It is often believed the the North wasn’t as bad. However, McDurmon points out that is largely false. In fact, the North came to their “systematic slave codes” even earlier than the south did by 1702. Virtually all of what we described but with the small caveat of you can’t kill your slave or dismember them. Capital punishment was up for a free woman but not for the raping of a slave!
One of the saddest realities McDurmon mentions was that many masters would go to church but refuse to preach the gospel or share the gospel with their slaves. There were many accounts where slaves recalled master’s drunkenness and wicked behavior, yet go to church on Sunday. This of course, no doubt, was due to the belief that since blacks were chattel, they were not human.
The book goes over several well known historic figures such as abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, Nat Turner and the case of Dred Scott. These figures were important because William Lloyd Garrison and abolitionist propaganda spurred rebellions. In 1831 Nat Turner who “led one of the largest, if not the largest, slave rebellions in American history....killing about 60 whites.” Pg 118. Incidents like this sparked the “Virginia Slave Debates” from 1831-1832. The debates weren’t about abolishing slavery but more-so clamping down, stating “it was too dangerous” to emancipate. This also caused even further slave codes to crack down on incidents like Nat Turner. Out of fear for more rebellion they removed all bibles and hymn literature to prevent inspiration of more revolts.
Finally, the legal case of Dred Scott came about where it solidified blacks as “property not persons” on a national basis. He was owned by a U.S. Army Captain. They lived in the free states of Illinois and Wisconsin (The North). As a result Dred Scott sued for his freedom since slavery was outlawed. Unfortunately he revealed the anti-black, racist policy in the constitution that even though he was in a “free state” he still couldn’t get his freedom “by deciding that the constitution never intended to include blacks as citizens.” Pg 156
Perhaps the saddest, yet most important part of this book, in my opinion, came from chapters 8 and 9. Chapter 8, titled, The Greatest Pro Slavery Army elaborates on the church’s role in the perpetuation of slavery in the south, while chapter 9 discusses the Confederate revisionist history after reconstruction (post civil war and emancipation).
To give a brief rundown on the meat of each chapter, chapter 8 discusses how Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian and southern baptist church’s all defended slavery.
McDurmon did list several instances throughout American history where ministers did speak out. Sadly, there were less of these as opposed to more. Usually when a minister would preach against slavery they would be defrocked, removed from their post and silenced. This was well documented. In fact ministers in the south failed to rebuke and discipline slavemasters which made it worse.
There were 2 occurrences, McDurmon shares, of when the Presbyterian Church spoke out in 1818 (that’s where it ended) and an old Quaker named George Keith against slavery. Quakers generally spoke out against slavery. These were particularly neat to read. George Keith held the earliest printed tract against slavery ever recorded on pages 289-291,
1.) Quakers (Christians) are not to receive or buy stolen goods, and slavery has at its root manstealing which is a far greater crime than merely buying stolen goods (Ex 21:16)
2.) The Golden Rule. If we ourselves do not desire to be in bondage and slavery against our consent, neither should we keep anyone else so, let alone those who have done no harm.
3.) Because fugitive slaves ought to be given their freedom and live at liberty among us (Deut 23;15-16). If this was true under the Mosaic dispensation, how much more ought it to be true under the Gospel?
4.) Because immigrants ought not to be oppressed in our Land, neither should the poor and needy (Deut. 24:14,15, Ex 12:21). Yet while the blacks are all of the above, they are oppressed by us more greatly than anyone has been oppressed! Not only are they stolen captive, and whipped, but families are ripped apart, "Husband from the Wife, and the Children from the parents".
5.) Slave souls were the merchandise of Babylon (Rev 18:4-5; 13:10), and the Lord says, "be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive not of her plagues."
Unfortunately, there seemed to be far too few of these voices.
McDurmon brings up prominent pro slavery apologists like Southern Presbyterian Minister Robert Dabney and James Henley Thornwell. Dabney was a classic white supremacist and believed blacks shouldn’t pastor whites, or placed in any governmental role. He essentially argued and equated that giving blacks equality with whites is on par with the sin of abomination called, beastiality.
He includes quite a few quoted and engages with his arguments. One of the most destructive doctrines theologies were used in the pacification of injustice and evil of slavery. This was known as the “Two Kingdoms Theology”, argued for the General Assembly in 1859. Essentially this argument stated that the church’s job is just for spiritually related issues and that the church’s main and only concern should be with the salvation of man and not fight to fix and get involved with “worldly” laws. This was an abomination and distortion because it prevented the church leaders and members to try and get involved with the government to fight the evil of slavery. So instead of being a light, their influence perpetuated slavery. This ultimately advanced slavery and in many cases made it worse. If the church would have all stood up, who know how much sooner slavery could have ended. Take this quote from page 325,
“The greatest danger of two kingdoms ethics is that it creates a safe space for tyranny by silencing the pulpits and intimidating Christians into passivity on the Bible’s position on alleged “civil” and “political” topics.”
Many folks ended opposing the two kingdoms theology and those who did left those congregations and started their own.
Chapter 9 is an interesting chapter that goes into the revisionist history of the south. In other words, instead of acknowledging that slavery was the primary catalyst in the cession of the Union that began the civil war, they attempted to reinvent the reason as a violation of constitutional rights.
Robert Dabney was a big proponent of this revisionist history. He would downplay the abuses of slavery by either stating certain abuses didn’t happen or not much at all. For example, Dabney admitted that if a slave was murdered by a master “it was murder”. But the thing was, no blacks could testify or act as a witness to the murder unless the master in the head of the moment killed the slave in front of a White person. Page 356-357 states from Dabney’s contemporary, Dr. James A. Lyon that,
“The laws of the land did not sufficiently protect the lived of slaves....white man might take the life of a slave in the presence of 50 others, and yet if he was not seen by a white man there was no legs evidence against him.”
Perhaps one of the biggest subterfuge’s was the argument for “the happy slave”. An interesting historical argument made from McDurmon was from Charles Dickens’ tour of the U.S. in 1842. He lists a long list of newspaper ads for his book “American Notes” that describes the long lists of runaway slaves; approximately 50 ads. Many of whom describe the runaway slaves having scars, missing eyes, missing limbs, etc. he also makes the point of the many revolts and facts that if it were so great then there should be no reason to run.
Charles Hodge, Presbyterian Minister, and Abraham Lincoln Agreed it was over slavery. James Henley Thornwell wrote a 30 page essay defending slavery and to seceded as South Carolina. James Henley Thornwell admits the secession from the union would be due to slavery. Any doubters to the south’s reason for cession and civil war was slavery, just needs to look to North, Presby Minister, Charles Hodge side by side to James Henley Thornwell of the South. They agreed.
There are many other fictions to note that I’ll spare.
Concluding the book is the Epilogue and Appendix’s. The Epilogue goes into what the church good have done and admonishes and reiterated George Keith’s advice. If only the church followed the scriptures.
The Appendix’s go into ex slave interviews and the complication of their authenticity of their testimonies. He makes some good points on the timing and context of these long-after interviews done in the 1930’s—well after emancipation.
All in all, this was a very informative read. I would recommend this book for those seeking to understand the history of racism and chattel slavery in the United States. While it did, at times, feel “one sided” in the sense of very little on whites against slavery, I did find some nuggets like George Keith who were very inspirational. This book also made me realize how even Christians have tremendous blind spots within culture. I can’t help but think how deceptive and strong sin can be—even in the life of Christians. Makes me think, what is our modern day “slavery”, or respectable sins in our culture today. Abortion? Nationalism? Gluttony? All “food” for thought. One thing is for sure, the christian life ought to be tested up against the gospel and taking that to love your neighbor. I’ll end it here with a prominent quote from abolitionist and loather of slavery in his time (though not from the U.S), whose books were burned by southern ministers, Charles Spurgeon:
“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2020
I learned some new things from this book about slavery. But I also learned that statism was alive and well in even the colonies. It is astonishing how big businesses (plantations) were in bed with the civil government in even the colonial era.
April 21, 2019
This is by no means a comfortable read.
Even having the degree of separation of living outside of the US my entire life I've been baffled, disgusted, and in parts almost brought to tears by the atrocities and utter human depravity expressed during this period of human history.
I believe this is truly a very important book and I recommend everyone read it, and learn from it.
Even having the degree of separation of living outside of the US my entire life I've been baffled, disgusted, and in parts almost brought to tears by the atrocities and utter human depravity expressed during this period of human history.
I believe this is truly a very important book and I recommend everyone read it, and learn from it.
October 1, 2018
A must-read for every Christian who thinks they understand the history of American slavery and the church's role in it. Sobering and heartbreaking, but essential to understanding the racial divide in America and the church.
May 28, 2018
Dr. McDurmon fulfills the role of historian and prophet in this agonizing look at the institution of slavery in America from its inception all the way through Jim Crow segregation. The historian lays out the glaring facts of the case: our laws were systematically established to make men slaves, hold them (and their children) in servitude permanently, and deprive them of justice in countless ways. Christians not only participated in, but perpetuated the injustice. The prophet calls us to judge our history by God's rules of right, by His perfect law, rather than by our political associations or personal heritage.
If we cannot judge our past justly by God's rules, we will certainly never judge ourselves in such a way. Our forefathers are not the only ones with glaring blind spots, we have them too. God's law will shine light on our blindness, both historical and present, if we will humble ourselves and listen. May we do so in increasing numbers.
As McDurmon says:
"Either our past matters, or it does not. If it matters (and it does), then *all* of it matters. Let us read all of it, and make all of it the basis for our emotions, thoughts, words, and deeds about the past, present, and future."
If we cannot judge our past justly by God's rules, we will certainly never judge ourselves in such a way. Our forefathers are not the only ones with glaring blind spots, we have them too. God's law will shine light on our blindness, both historical and present, if we will humble ourselves and listen. May we do so in increasing numbers.
As McDurmon says:
"Either our past matters, or it does not. If it matters (and it does), then *all* of it matters. Let us read all of it, and make all of it the basis for our emotions, thoughts, words, and deeds about the past, present, and future."
September 7, 2020
This was a very sad and eye-opening read for me. Slavery has always been a blight on American history but I was not aware how much of a blight it was on American Christian history. Obviously there were many Christians who abstained and fought against slavery, but the prevalence and support for slavery from many Christians is undeniable.
The slavery was just the first course. Torture, rape, man-stealing, murder, and other acts were commonly performed on black slaves and without repercussion. The court systems were built around the white population and negated any testimony from a black man or woman unless under very certain circumstances. This allowed white slave owners to do unspeakable things to black men and women without fear of consequences from the state, and little to no consequences from the church.
The stories from slave diaries, from Court records, and from those who did fight to end slavery are very emotional and will cause you to hate slavery even more than you did before and leave you with a bad taste in your mouth for those "Christians" who sat back and let this continue for so long. It makes you wonder what our generation of Christians are sitting back and letting occur in our culture today. I have a few ideas.
The slavery was just the first course. Torture, rape, man-stealing, murder, and other acts were commonly performed on black slaves and without repercussion. The court systems were built around the white population and negated any testimony from a black man or woman unless under very certain circumstances. This allowed white slave owners to do unspeakable things to black men and women without fear of consequences from the state, and little to no consequences from the church.
The stories from slave diaries, from Court records, and from those who did fight to end slavery are very emotional and will cause you to hate slavery even more than you did before and leave you with a bad taste in your mouth for those "Christians" who sat back and let this continue for so long. It makes you wonder what our generation of Christians are sitting back and letting occur in our culture today. I have a few ideas.
January 23, 2018
This was tough to read, at times it is all one can do not to weep. Still it was bar none the most well balanced and thoughtful look at historical oppression and racism in our country, how the consequences continue and what we can do about it from a Biblical perspective. I would recommend it for every Christian.
October 6, 2018
John's review below on May 19, 2018 is an excellent overview of the book, so go there for the content details.
For me, about half way through the book I chatted my high school kids, "Guess what, dad's now woke*!"
Having taught history in middle school, and being a history buff, I thought I was up on the history of the South, etc., but wow, I see now I did not have a comprehensive and accurate picture of just how bad things were. And our country is reaping what has been sown.
Reading this book started from previously reading "The War Outside My Window: The Civil War Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1861-1865" (a MUST READ!) of a crippled, TB-ridden wealthy teenager in Macon, Georgia. His family were devout Christians (LeRoy's father was an elder at Macon First Presbyterian Church - LeRoy's nephew J. Gresham Machen founded Westminster Theological Seminary) and they had two plantations outside of town with around 100 slaves. (LeRoys story is like Downton Abbey meets The Diary of Anne Frank.)
So how was it, I wondered, that LeRoy's family and culture could "justify" slavery? First page of Google on this question showed "The Problem of Slavery in Christian America."
It was not an easy read. I was in a depressed funk for the three weeks reading it, being hammered at and by the evil perpetrated in our country. Note also this isn't just a "North good, South bad" problem - this is an American problem.
While reading the chapters on systematic racism Jim Crow/black codes, I thought of the Civil Rights movement, Colin Kaepernick taking a knee, and felt like I now understand why he's doing it. The Nike thing came out about this time, and I went on the American Vision website and Joel McDurmon had a blog post titled "The Kaepernickan Revolution" where he chides conservative Christians for being more conservative than Christian throughout history. He brilliantly links MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to the opposition to Kaepernick's protest. (blog post: https://americanvision.org/14803/the-... )
This was the day I became woke.
Part of my woke-ness is educating others, telling them my story, and promoting this book to them. As a practical matter, MLK day this year I'm not going to sit around just enjoying a day off. I am going to take my four children to the Houston MLK Day parade and honor the sacrifice Dr. King made on behalf of his people in our country, and teach them to do the same.
*Woke is a political term of African American origin that refers to a perceived awareness of issues concerning social justice and racial justice.
For me, about half way through the book I chatted my high school kids, "Guess what, dad's now woke*!"
Having taught history in middle school, and being a history buff, I thought I was up on the history of the South, etc., but wow, I see now I did not have a comprehensive and accurate picture of just how bad things were. And our country is reaping what has been sown.
Reading this book started from previously reading "The War Outside My Window: The Civil War Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1861-1865" (a MUST READ!) of a crippled, TB-ridden wealthy teenager in Macon, Georgia. His family were devout Christians (LeRoy's father was an elder at Macon First Presbyterian Church - LeRoy's nephew J. Gresham Machen founded Westminster Theological Seminary) and they had two plantations outside of town with around 100 slaves. (LeRoys story is like Downton Abbey meets The Diary of Anne Frank.)
So how was it, I wondered, that LeRoy's family and culture could "justify" slavery? First page of Google on this question showed "The Problem of Slavery in Christian America."
It was not an easy read. I was in a depressed funk for the three weeks reading it, being hammered at and by the evil perpetrated in our country. Note also this isn't just a "North good, South bad" problem - this is an American problem.
While reading the chapters on systematic racism Jim Crow/black codes, I thought of the Civil Rights movement, Colin Kaepernick taking a knee, and felt like I now understand why he's doing it. The Nike thing came out about this time, and I went on the American Vision website and Joel McDurmon had a blog post titled "The Kaepernickan Revolution" where he chides conservative Christians for being more conservative than Christian throughout history. He brilliantly links MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to the opposition to Kaepernick's protest. (blog post: https://americanvision.org/14803/the-... )
This was the day I became woke.
Part of my woke-ness is educating others, telling them my story, and promoting this book to them. As a practical matter, MLK day this year I'm not going to sit around just enjoying a day off. I am going to take my four children to the Houston MLK Day parade and honor the sacrifice Dr. King made on behalf of his people in our country, and teach them to do the same.
*Woke is a political term of African American origin that refers to a perceived awareness of issues concerning social justice and racial justice.
October 1, 2018
This is a must-read, particularly for American evangelicals! Joel McDurmon tells the history of slavery in the American colonies and early United States, often by quoting the people of the era at length. Unfortunately, this probably makes difficult reading for people with short attention spans. He is critical of both North and South, and the American churches' prominent role in supporting slavery and institutional White supremacism. He not only argues for biblical solutions to the problems of slavery and racism in America's past, but demonstrates ways our past still impacts our present circumstances. In the final chapter he applies the principles of Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan to present-day race relations in the US. This was my favorite chapter!
December 14, 2018
This is an very informative book that is important for conservative Reformed Christians to read. I doubt that anyone can read this without grimacing and crying out in sadness for the actions and attitudes of our fathers in the faith. I agree with other reviewers who have stated that McDurmon has not published a SJW screed, but a work of shining a light in the dark corners of our (desired to be) forgotten history. (I actually listened to an audio version of this book. While I am thankful that this individual took the time to read this (and I likely wouldn't have read it otherwise), my personal preference would have been for him to read it straight and leave the faux-Southern accents out of it.)
September 7, 2018
This was a difficult but great book. It clearly details what happened, what should have happened, and what should be done today based on solid biblical exegesis and application.
October 8, 2018
McDurmon has advanced an avalanche of evidence to support his thesis. It's exhausting, and it's convicting. Christians do not escape indictment, and the no true Scotsman defense won't cut it. While it's true that Christianity ended slavery, Christians also perpetuated it. Even from the pulpit. It's for this reason modern evangelicals have a responsibility to hear McDurmon.
As I read, I thought of an analogy that might help. Imagine you have an older brother who attended a school. It was an awful experience. He was mistreated. Punished unfairly. Graded harshly. Shown no respect and no dignity. Bullied mercilessly. Now imagine that you'll be attending that school next semester. Consider your feelings going in. Will you trust your teacher? How will you take it when you're punished? What will it do to your motivation? How will any unfair treatment be interpreted? Even if there is a complete turnover in staff, will you have any confidence in the school as long as they minimize what happened to your brother?
Joel McDurmon's book was a worthy exercise. I like his recommendations. Particularly his appeal to the Good Samaritan is something every Christian should be eager to embrace.
Notes:
(1) iBooks
(2) Discovered on the Sin Boldly podcast
(3) Written to address a blind spot toward historic racism among white evangelicals
(4) Incidental, subconscious, covert racism
(5) Author's recommendations (a) acknowledge (b) love your (black) neighbor as yourself (c) end oppressive state policies (war on drugs, broken window)
As I read, I thought of an analogy that might help. Imagine you have an older brother who attended a school. It was an awful experience. He was mistreated. Punished unfairly. Graded harshly. Shown no respect and no dignity. Bullied mercilessly. Now imagine that you'll be attending that school next semester. Consider your feelings going in. Will you trust your teacher? How will you take it when you're punished? What will it do to your motivation? How will any unfair treatment be interpreted? Even if there is a complete turnover in staff, will you have any confidence in the school as long as they minimize what happened to your brother?
Joel McDurmon's book was a worthy exercise. I like his recommendations. Particularly his appeal to the Good Samaritan is something every Christian should be eager to embrace.
Notes:
(1) iBooks
(2) Discovered on the Sin Boldly podcast
(3) Written to address a blind spot toward historic racism among white evangelicals
(4) Incidental, subconscious, covert racism
(5) Author's recommendations (a) acknowledge (b) love your (black) neighbor as yourself (c) end oppressive state policies (war on drugs, broken window)
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