Fuller Theological Seminary Sends Message on Charlottesville Events

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President Mark Labberton and Associate Dean Clifton Clarke sent out this message earlier this week on recent events in Charlottesville.TLA Fuller responseDr. Clarke and I joined many in our extended networks in immediately denouncing on social media the violent racism on display last weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am aware that, for many in Fuller's extended network, Facebook is not a primary form of communication, and I wanted to extend to you as well a distillation of our shared perspectives on this critically important issue.The evil of racism so vividly unveiled in Charlottesville last weekend is tragically intertwined with American church history. But it needs to be said that nothing about white nationalism flows from the heart of God. May white—and all—followers of Jesus say and live a resounding NO to any form of white nationalism. As urgent as it is and must be for all Christians to condemn white nationalism, it is also urgent and necessary for white Christians like me to grasp, to repent of, and to turn from the long history by which our Christian faith has been used to accrue to us personal and systemic power and privilege simply because we are white.Events of last weekend in Charlottesville cry out for the need of white Christians to look at this pervasive and insidious evil that subverts the Jesus we claim and profess. By our racial sin, the name of Jesus is scandalized. We recently welcomed Clifton Clarke to Fuller to partner with us in leadership of the Pannell Center for African American Church Studies, and I personally am committed to standing together with Dr. Clarke in this, our shared mission.Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.Mark LabbertonPresident___We need to unequivocally speak in plain terms stating that white supremacist neo-fascist Nazi groups are an evil scourge in this country. White nationalism, white supremacy, white privilege, white silence, and racial fragility all drink from the same pot—the maintenance of white privilege.Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” What we saw in Charlottesville on August 11 and 12 was the hate that hate produces. In the hours immediately after the Charlottesville riots, I called for white evangelical leaders to swiftly respond and for white people of conscience to speak out about white privilege. I thank my brother Mark for his leadership and courage in having already joined me in denouncing the extreme, white supremacist, male-dominated groups in America who are heirs of those hate groups emboldened by the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.The chilling images of hate-filled protesters in 2017 America carrying torches, chanting slogans steeped in the history of bigotry, racism, and anti-Semitism is an affront to our faith in Jesus Christ and the biblical teachings we hold dear. We, the Fuller community, reaffirm our unshakable commitment to diversity, equality, and the value of all people created in the image of God.This partnership is why I came to Fuller, and I am committed to standing together with Dr. Labberton in this, our shared mission.Committed to the love that love produces,Clifton ClarkeAssociate Dean of the William Pannell Center for African American Church Studies and Associate Professor of Black Church Studies and World Christianity

Tim Keller: Race, the Gospel, and the Moment

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How should Christians, and especially those with an Anglo-white background, respond to last weekend’s alt-right gathering in Charlottesville and its tragic aftermath?

By Tim Keller

Three brief things need to be said.First, Christians should look at the energized and emboldened white nationalism movement, and at its fascist slogans, and condemn it—full stop. No, “But on the other hand.” The main way most people are responding across the political spectrum is by saying, “See? This is what I have been saying all along! This just proves my point.” The conservatives are using the events to prove that liberal identity politics is wrong, and liberals are using it to prove that conservatism is inherently racist. We should not do that.Second, this is a time to present the Bible’s strong and clear teachings about the sin of racism and of the idolatry of blood and country—again, full stop. In Acts 17:26, in the midst of an evangelistic lecture to secular, pagan philosophers, Paul makes the case that God created all the races “from one man.” Paul’s Greek listeners saw other races as barbarian, but against such views of racial superiority Paul makes the case that all races have the same Creator and are of one stock. Since all are made in God’s image, every human life is of infinite and equal value (Gen. 9:5–6). When Jonah puts the national interests of Israel ahead of the spiritual good of the racially “other” pagan city of Nineveh, he is roundly condemned by God (Jonah 4:1–11). One main effect of the gospel is to shatter the racial barriers that separate people (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14–18), so it is an egregious sin to do anything to support those barriers. When Peter sought to do so, Paul reprimanded him for losing his grasp on the gospel (Gal. 2:14).Racism should not be only brought up at moments such as we witnessed in Charlottesville this past weekend. The evil of racism is a biblical theme—a sin the gospel reveals and heals—so we should be teaching about it routinely in the course of regular preaching. Which brings me to a final point.[ictt-tweet-inline hashtags="" via=""]It is absolutely crucial to speak up about the biblical teaching on racism—not just now, but routinely. - Tim Keller[/ictt-tweet-inline]Twentieth-century fascist movements that made absolute values out of “Blut und Boden” (“Blood and Soil”)­—putting one race and one nation’s good above the good of all—also claimed to champion traditional family values and moral virtues over against the decadence of relativistic modern culture. Even though they were no friends of orthodox Christianity (see Adolf Hitler’s heretical “Positive Christianity” movement), they could and can still appeal to people within our own circles. Internet outreach from white nationalist organizations can radicalize people who are disaffected by moral decline in society. So it is absolutely crucial to speak up about the biblical teaching on racism—not just now, but routinely. We need to make those in our circles impervious to this toxic teaching.TLA Tim Keller Race the Gospel the MomentNote: This post was originally published at The Gospel Coalition.

‘There Is No Neutral Ground Here,’ Erwin McManus Says to The Church [Interview]

'There Is No Neutral Ground Here,' Erwin McManus Says to The Church [Interview]

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On Saturday (Aug. 12, 2017), in the middle of the chaos in Charlottesville, Virginia, that began the night before, Erwin Raphael McManus, author and pastor at Mosaic in Los Angeles tweeted, “We cannot unite with hate. We must stand against it. You cannot reason with racism. You must condemn it. The church must lead the way. NOW!”His post came after a relatively long thread of tweets that condemned the evil and called out the church in America to unite in “peace, justice, and hope.”Below is McManus’ answers to seven questions asked by TogetherLA while the nation was and still is processing what happened in Charlottesville and the ongoing reactions across the US.Erwin McManus Exclusive Interview about Charlottesville with TogetherLA.net TogetherLA: Describe your initial reaction to the events that transpired in Charlottesville.Erwin Raphael McManus: It was probably a combination of disgust, disappointment, and hopefulness.Disgust because there should be no room for movements of hate such as white supremacy and Nazism. It's astonishing that people can be so ignorant, fearful, and filled with hate.Disappointed because I love this country and expect better from us. The undercurrent and subculture of racism and white supremacy have always been here but now they have been emboldened to go public as they feel their views have been validated and normalized.Hopeful in that this is not a new problem in our society and it has been allowed to thrive in the darkness of denial and silence by the white majority and unjust legal system. Their boldness to go public has brought them to the light and the darkness cannot prevail over the light. I am convinced most Americans- yes even white Americans- are committed to justice and equality for all people. I am convinced that most Americans are disgusted and even ashamed that Nazism is alive and well in this country that fought to defeat its evil ideology.TLA: Your call for the church to respond “NOW!” as you posted on Twitter obviously reflects urgency. Why?McManus: It is inescapable that the Evangelical church is seen as married to the present administration in Washington. Silence in this moment would be perceived as agreement and adherence to white supremacist ideologies.There is no neutral ground here. You either speak against racism or you add credence to their views. I am convinced the Church is the greatest hope for humanity and for creating a new world where everyone is valued and embraced regardless of differences.This is a critical moment in history and I want the church on record and on the right side of history.TLA: How should the church respond?McManus: As they have all weekend after Charlottesville. They must openly, emphatically, and clearly denounce White Supremacy and any ideology associated with Nazism.Then we need to advocate for social justice and reform so that all minorities are protected not only under the law but more importantly by our cultural values and ethic. The law cannot change the human heart. Government is limited in its ability to effect culture. This is the role and responsibility of the Church. Only Jesus can move us from hate to love.TLA: What do you see happening in Los Angeles in regards to church unity? Are they getting together? How?McManus: The Church is not segregated by region or cities. That's an antiquated view of the world. We are united with churches all over the world working towards common goals based on shared values. Mosaic is one of the most racially diverse churches on the planet. Our community and extended church family is global and completely integrated.TLA: What are the ramifications of Charlottesville for the church as you see it?McManus: Perhaps the most significant ramification for many churches is that if your church is racially homogenous it will be essentially irrelevant. The future belongs to those who have the courage to create it. We need a new humanity. We need a new expression of community. We need the Church to bring the world together. This makes me excited. There is so much opportunity here. I'm grateful that Mosaic began creating the new expression of the Church over twenty years ago. We are not reacting to a crisis. We are acting on a conviction and a calling.TLA: Is there something in your new book, The Last Arrow, that ties into how you feel today about current events?McManus: The Last Arrow transcends a moment or an issue. It is a call to move beyond self-indulgence to a life of sacrificial service. In The Last Arrow I address a broad spectrum of issues from the Syrian refugee crisis to the cultural epidemic of depression to the personal struggle of insignificance. The Last Arrow is a clarion call to make a difference in the world rather than a self-help book for personal self-improvement.TLA: Is there anything else you would like to add?McManus: Racists are not born they are raised. Isolation is the breeding ground for racism. The more you come to know the world around you and people different than you the less likely you will become an extremist. The church needs to bring the world together.As a speaker, I can inspire people to change but as a writer I can guide people to change. That's why books are so important. As a pastor, though, I can be a part of creating the change the world so desperately needs.For me that change the world so desperately needs is called Mosaic.

Christian Leaders React To Charlottesville Chaos; Enter Twitter Firestorm

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LOS ANGELES — A firestorm of reaction to the events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia, continued Sunday morning with Christian leaders taking to Twitter to express their views.Charlottesville chaos"The 'Cross' will always be more powerful than the swastika! #Charlottesviille," tweeted Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC)/CONEL, which is America's largest Latino Evangelical organization.

On Saturday evening, author and pastor Erwin McManus of Mosaic in Los Angeles, tweeted, "We cannot unite with hate. We must stand against it. You cannot reason with racism. You must condemn it. The church must lead the way. NOW!"

Leaders all over the United States are responding via social media to an eruption of demonstrations and violence in Charlottesville that began overnight on Friday and included the death of Heather Heyer, 32, run over by a person driving a car on Saturday, who is in police custody.It is reported that violent clashes between white nationalists and counterprotesters began prior to a Unite the Right rally that was being held to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The city of Charlottesville voted to remove the statue earlier this year, but it remains in the Emacipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, pending a judge’s ruling expected later this month, according to the Washington Post. Police have ordered hundreds of people out of a downtown park, resulting in the cancellation of a noon rally, according to reports.Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency shortly before 11 a.m., blaming the violence on “mostly out-of-state protesters.”“I am disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence these protesters have brought to our state over the past 24 hours,” McAuliffe (D) said.“I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will — go home,” Signer wrote on Twitter.Harvest America and Harvest SoCal evangelist Greg Laurie tweeted, "These people in Charlottesville do not represent the Christian faith in any way, shape or form. Racism is sin."

D.A. Horton, who serves as Pastor of Reach Fellowship a church plant in North Long Beach and as Chief Evangelist for the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI), began a long Twitter thread by stating, "Healing begins when infection is cleaned out. #Charlottesville needed to happen so more people realize our nation isn't 'post-racial'! 1/2."

Charlottesville Chaos: Leaders Chime In (LIVE UPDATES)

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LATEST UPDATE: Christian Leaders React To Charlottesville Chaos; Enter Twitter Firestorm

LOS ANGELES — Leaders all over the United States are responding via social media to an overnight and ongoing eruption of demonstrations and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, including the death of one person run over by a person driving a car on Saturday.It is reported that violent clashes between white nationalists and counterprotesters began prior to a Unite the Right rally that was being held to protest the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The city of Charlottesville voted to remove the statue earlier this year, but it remains in the Emacipation Park, formerly known as Lee Park, pending a judge’s ruling expected later this month, according to the Washington Post. Police have ordered hundreds of people out of a downtown park, resulting in the cancellation of a noon rally, according to reports.Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency shortly before 11 a.m., blaming the violence on “mostly out-of-state protesters.”“I am disgusted by the hatred, bigotry and violence these protesters have brought to our state over the past 24 hours,” McAuliffe (D) said."I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will — go home," Signer wrote on Twitter. He did not provide details as to how the death occurred.The following are posts by leaders in the Christian and political world in response to the events at Charlottesville:UPDATE: 9:04 PM PT

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TLA Charlottesville imagePhoto: Screengrab of Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesUPDATE 2:25 PM PT

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UPDATE 3:25 PM PT