What we believe about the biblical gospel determines our world perspective and our convictions about who God is, our mission in life, what we should be doing and why. Theology dictates everything. Theology orders our world and that is why theology is so important because everything flows from theology – either law, relationships, customs, and everything that is a part of God’s Kingdom order or chaos.
Either we are in sync with God’s thoughts and His will, or not. If our theology is not correct, especially when it comes to our theological understanding of the “gospel,” an errant beginning point will throw us way off course, contrary to what God has ordained in respect to His revealed, written Word. We must know what the gospel is about and to whom it pertains.
What Evangelical Christianity Believes
In the previous two posts on this subject, I have documented the consensus of opinion about the gospel and to whom they say it applies. Overwhelmingly, that opinion concluded that all “human beings” on the planet are the legitimate recipients of the gospel message. They are all “sinners” in need of spiritual regeneration by the Spirit through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the primary focus of evangelical Christianity has been to advance multi-racial churches, promote foreign global missionary work, and support (or silently consent to) foreign immigration into the United States of America as well as other countries of Western European origin.
Advancing Multi-Racial Christianity Today
It should come as no surprise that if today’s gospel is inclusive of the “human race,” then all things multi-racial must be advanced and with vigor. I have selected some quotes from the March 2021 edition of Christianity Today magazine, which history goes back to its founding over 60 years ago by famous evangelist, Billy Graham. His vison is explained by the magazine:
Over sixty years ago, the beloved evangelist felt the urgent need for balanced reporting, biblical commentary, and a loving posture on the social cultural, and theological trends, issues and opportunities facing Christians.
From that need came a unique vision that has helped shape the minds and hearts of tens of millions of Christian leaders ever since.1
Christianity Today Magazine is now the leading evangelical magazine reaching over 5 million readers. Obviously, it has a major impact influencing how people think.
In the March 2021 edition entitled “Multiracial Reckoning,” I reproduce the following beginning with Editor, Andy Olsen:
Anyone who takes Scripture seriously must also embrace its promise of a coming multiethnic worship community comprising “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev. 7:9). In the meanwhile, multiethnic churches will be messy, will often be difficult, and for some today, may even feel impossible. But done right, they offer an environment like none other to model the ways God’s love for his people transcends social status, power structures, and credentials. (p. 7)
Let me ask you: How would you respond to what Mr. Olsen wrote? Is it biblically accurate in its justification for “multiethnic worship”? Does “every nation, tribe, people and language” include every human being on the planet?
Let’s go on. This next series of quotes comes from Korie Little Edwards, a professor of sociology at The Ohio State University and author of several books, including The Elusive Dream: The Power of Race in Interracial Churches, and co-host of The Elusive Dream Podcast.
In this same edition, his cover story article ("The Multiethnic Church Movement Hasn't Lived up to its Promise"), he begins by reciting some studies about the growth of multi-racial churches:
The recent growth in multiracial churches may be linked to changes in racial and ethnic demographics in the US. In 1990, the national census reported 84 percent of the US population was white. In 2019, it was estimated at 60 percent. We have also seen a parallel growth in megachurches during this same period. (p. 38)
But even though there is more growth of racially diverse churches, Professor Edwards is not happy:
Multiracial congregations have gained a greater share of American churches over the past 20 years, but as my colleagues and I have found, they are not delivering on what they promised. Multiracial churches often celebrate being diverse for diversity’s sake. They aren’t challenging racial attitudes that reinforce systemic inequality. (p. 39)
God has not called the church to “diversity.” God has called the church to oneness. I have no better solution than the gospel of Jesus Christ for this, and there are a few biblical principles that I believe are essential for the journey toward oneness. (p. 41)
To begin, we should mourn with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15). People of color in this country have experienced great trauma that stems from pervasive racism and racial oppression—historically and today. (p. 41)
We are all called to a life of repentance (for the kingdom of God is at hand). We—both white people and people of color—must turn away from our support of white supremacy. But repentance is not simply an apology; it is an about-face. It is openly acknowledging how we were going in the wrong direction. In America, that means actively resisting and dismantling white supremacy in our own organizations as a first step to practicing mutual submission and shared power. (p. 41)
Oneness is not about checking the boxes or parading a diverse representation up front during services. This kind of diversity is what scholars call “cheap” or “thin” diversity. It masks white supremacy. This is no gospel. It causes people of color considerable harm. (p. 41)
Multiracial churches have a unique opportunity to confront white supremacy and work out the Good News in intimate community—not merely in theory or in principle, as an ethnically homogenous congregation might. (p. 41)
. . . multiracial churches are to be places where every person’s belovedness is embraced and celebrated; where every person is able to come to the table with their gifts and skills as leaders and contributors to advance the Good News of Christ; and where no form of supremacy other than the supremacy of Christ reigns. (p. 41)
A multiracial church that turns white supremacy on its head, that is a high call indeed. This work must be embraced as a spiritual discipline. (p. 41)
We might as well be tuning into CNN. The huge push now for racial equality marches right along in lock step with politics, the media, in education, and modern Christianity: systemic inequality, pervasive racism and racial oppression, actively resisting and dismantling white supremacy, [i]t masks white supremacy, confronts white supremacy, and turns white supremacy on its head.
It’s white supremacy this and white supremacy that. Modern Christianity must promote racial equality and now equity at any price and at the expense of White People. The so-called “truth” about race is the theological order of the day for modern-day Christianity.
Immigrants – Come On In
A massive survey called “The State of the Bible 2020” revealed this welcoming consensus for foreign immigration, now breaking border records under the Biden Administration:
WELCOMING IMMIGRANTS
In January, 55% of all respondents were categorized as Bible Users, most of whom scored Bible Neutral or higher. Only six Bible Users also scored Bible Disengaged. We have elected to report their responses as a category below, despite the small group size. Bible Users tend to agree that the Bible leads them to welcome immigrants into their communities. As the level of Scripture Engagement increases, respondents are more likely to agree that the Bible leads them to welcome immigrants. Bible Centered respondents tend to strongly agree (M = 5.0), while Bible Engaged respondents (M = 4.5) were split between strongly agree and agree, on average.
BEFRIENDING PEOPLE OF OTHER RACES
Similarly, Bible Users overall agree or strongly agree (M = 4.5) that the Bible leads them to befriend people of other races. Bible Disengaged (M = 3.4) and Bible Neutral (M = 3.8) respondents tend to agree somewhat or simply agree, while Bible Engaged (M= 4.7) and Bible Centered (M = 5.5) respondents tend to strongly agree or very strongly agree that the Bible guides them to befriend others from a different racial backgrounds.2
Can you see it? Can you see how theology dictates how people think and how they behave? Again, if our theology is not correct, our world viewpoint will be out of line with what God has revealed. The consequences are eventually devastating to God’s Kingdom order and His holy Covenant People. It is upon us now!
This is why I spent years developing and writing the Covenant Heritage Series and the Bible Mastery Boot Camp. By carefully unwrapping the Bible through a progressive historical approach, I let the Bible itself challenge the faulty presuppositions of today’s gospel theology. Manifesting God’s Kingdom on earth depends on correct, biblical theology.
For a full discussion of this topic, I suggest you order my new book, The Authentic Gospel: Restoring the Original Intent.
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