I started a note to the church Elder Board and possibly the entire church way back in 2018 and never finished it. It was kind of important, so I’m finishing it and putting it here so I can direct people toward it in the future.
I don’t know how important the 2018 theology conference was for the EFCA, but I know it was important for my involvement in the EFCA. As a relative new comer to the denomination, I have found one question keeps coming to my mind. Is God’s redemptive work unifying people across ethnic boundaries in Christ to be his Church central to the EFCA’s understanding of the gospel? That’s a mouthful. Perhaps a shorter version would be: Do we believe the gospel requires BOTH reconciliation to God AND to others?
Below I’ve linked to the talks that were delivered at the conference with the summary that the EFCA folks gave to each (so they are not my summaries).
In listening to these episodes, let me encourage you to pace yourself appropriately. If you have been a part of conversations like this for many years, of course you may want to hear Dr. Perkins first and then enjoy the other talks or you may just listen to them in the order that peaks your interest. If however, you don’t recognize some of the names of these speakers, or perhaps this hasn’t been a major focus of your ministry thus far, start with these two:
- Episode 153: Doug Sweeney on American Evangelicals and Racial and Ethnic Partiality AND
- Episode 155: Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. on The Gospel, Martin Luther King Jr. Contextual Theology and Evangelicalism.
- If you get to a third, listen to this one: Episode 152: Jarvis Williams on The Cross and Racial Reconciliation.
Of course I think you’ll find a great amount of value in all of them.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This often is one of those racial markers over which there are differences of opinion. Likely, many white brothers and sisters have probably not thought much about this anniversary. Conversely, most African American brothers and sisters are quite aware of this anniversary, and not to remember or recognize this in some way would be hurtful. Many of the differences regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. are along racial lines. Join us as Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. discusses the relationship between The Gospel, Martin Luther King, Jr., Contextual Theology, and Evangelicalism.
https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-154-dr-john-perkins-miles-walked-and-lived-history
It is one thing to address this issue theoretical or academically. It is another to address this personally and experientially. One is not more or less important than another. Both are necessary, even though the issue is approached from different vantage points. Both provide significant and important insights into the issues we are studying, discussing and living. Join with other EFCA pastors as we listen to the wisdom of Dr. John Perkins as he discusses the need for unity within the church.
The church, committed to and compelled by the gospel of Jesus Christ, has engaged in both the proclamation of the gospel and its accompanying social ministries of compassion and justice. This has been reflective of the church from the beginning. Affirming this reality, it is important to address and assess how Evangelicals have historically addressed these matters of race in the 18th-19th centuries, some of our significant right-steps and have some of the other painful missteps and sins of the past 150-200 years which remain with us today. Join with other EFCA pastors as they listen to Doug Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Church History and History of Christian Thought at Trinity Evangelical School.
https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-152-jarvis-williams-cross-and-racial-reconciliation
As Evangelicals more broadly, and as the EFCA more specifically, we are people of the Book. One EFCA motto has been and remains, “where stands it written,” which addresses both the biblical truth of a doctrine and also the practical outworking of that truth in life. Join us as Dr. Jarvis Williams, an Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary walks us through how to live out this truth.
https://www.efca.org/podcasts/episodes/episode-151-greg-strand-introduces-2018-theology-conference
Earlier this year, our 2018 EFCA Theology Conference theme explored The Gospel, Compassion and Justice and the EFCA. Recent events in our nation and world have made it clear it is both timely and necessary to address the topics of racial reconciliation and immigration. The gospel is being undermined and tarnished by the lack of reconciliation among believers and the lack of concern for the immigrant. Join with fellow EFCA pastors and leaders in listening and learning from the speakers at our 2018 conference as they address this theme from biblical, theological, historical and pastoral perspectives.
Pastor Chris Hooper 