"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope" Romans 5:1-4
My story of an encounter with a group I believe follows Black Liberation Theology:
It was a Saturday late afternoon as I was driving to the OKC Bombing Memorial. A block away from my destination I was stopped at a light and sharing that corner was a group of men, dressed in white with red hangings and a red wrap around their waist. They were holding signs and bouncing with purpose as they yelled phrases. My window was up so I really had no idea what it was they were yelling, but the thought Muslim crossed my mind. Though thinking their attire was too showy for Muslim groups.
I continued onto the Memorial, read God’s word, looked around and realized how hypocritical I was in forgetting all that had occurred and all that was still occurring. Reflection times are much needed and I really felt a peace. After a while I left and took the long way around by walking a block over so I could walk by the group I had seen earlier. What was going through my head: “If they see Truth they cannot deny it. God please use this.”
As I rounded the corner towards them and crossed the street I began the long walk down the block towards them. Immediately I met hate. I heard them yelling after a woman calling her wicked and a detestable b****. She yelled something back not friendly and waved them off. Every phrase they yelled after that went something like this…
“God hates the wicked!”
“The white man is the most wicked of all creatures!”
“The pale man is cursed!”
“They belong to Satan!”
“God hates the white man and will wipe him from the face of this earth!”
Then seeing me walking towards them…
“The white woman is the most deceptive and hated of all creatures!”
“Pale women lead the Chosen Ones astray!”
“God hates the white woman!”
“The whites are evil in walking form!”
They said many other phrases and these are from memory and I was praying the whole time I was walking so these might not be word for word….but pretty much correct.
Upon finally reaching them, I stopped at their corner 3 feet away from the closest one and listened. Their ranting continued. One man led the rant, one stood almost as a guard (the closest to me) and he smiled at me in a humoring way, and then 5 boys ranging from 13 to 20 in age stood in a line apparently in “training,” with one of them holding a Bible (the translation is questionable…could have been of the groups making). Upon my arrival the group seemed to get riled up from this more and laughed at a chance to pick on another “white” woman (though they probably thought I was a teenager since I look like I’m 14 according to my latest age guess…ha). The leader changed his rant and now would yell “READ!” and then the scripture reference to the one holding the Bible. He would then yell out the scripture and repeat what the leader instructed him to. Between scripture readings he would inform me what that verse says about me. I now wish I had recorded with my phone what scripture they had used because it escaped me then and now.
All the scripture they read at this point talked about the wicked and what God thought of wickedness, which are correct because God does hate the wicked and the Bible is very clear about what happens to those in sin. The verses were mostly from the Old Testament and Revelation.
The guard looked at me and said “So you carry a Bible.” I nodded my head. He said, “Read it, check it.” I responded, “I do read it.” He did not counter me.
The leader then said the phrase again of God hating the wicked white man because he is evil.
I responded: God is a God of love.
“Leader”: Except for the white man.
Me: We all came from Adam so why does me being white matter.
“Leader”: Oh, but Adam was black!
Me: Yeah I’m sure He was very dark skinned.
“Leader”: READ! Verse….that supposedly supported God hating whites but all was about is God hating wickedness.
Me: So what does color matter?
“Leader”: What does it matter?
Me: God does not look on the outside. We are taught in the Bible to look at the person on the inside.
“Leader”: Oh really. So if I was to snatch your purse, how would you describe me to the police?
Me: I would say a man wearing a white gown with some weird red thing took it.
“Leader”: Nothing to say about me being black?
Me: I would probably say you were black. (I said in a joking, well of course way)
“Leader”: So you would not describe my insides to the police?
READ! Verse….
My thought but chose to refrain: (police can not see your inside as well…analogy that makes no sense) Verse going through head is one in Proverbs that says in some form ‘arguing with a fool is foolishness.’
After the scripture reading I asked, “Do you believe in Jesus?”
“Leader”: Oh yes, I believe in Jesus. Jesus was black too. Did you know that?
Me: Well, Jesus was definitely not white, probably not black, but more middle eastern looking.
“Leader”: Oh no He was black. And God is black too. Do you know who Jesus is?
Me: The son of God who came to save us from our sins.
“Leader”: Good. READ…some scripture.
At this point 3 other men had joined the circle and came over ready for fun according to their appearance. Two were dressed like the others and one was dressed in all black.
“Leader”: He’s God’s son. So he’s black. Even says it in the Bible. And He didn’t come for you.
READ Revelation 1:12-16
“Leader” as the Bible was being read: White hair…ebony skin….now tell me that is not important now. God IS black!
As he was saying this he was holding up a poster of what apparently God looked like and pointing at his characteristics. The poster was of a youthful older black man with a mild white fro. Below his face were other scripture references of where else is said in the “bible” God looked like this.
- Later on that night I looked up that passage because I never remembered reading God had ebony skin…This passage is actually talking about the son of man (Jesus) and the Bible passage actually says: “12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"[b]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” There version might say God is black, but God’s word never shows any partiality. Also, it’s talking about Jesus. That really kills credibility. Further showing they have and will manipulate the Bible to prove their agenda.
While they were saying theses things concerning appearance I Samuel 16:7 kept coming into my mind in what the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Me: God does not look at appearance. All men are equal. He sent Jesus for us all.
As I was saying this the “Leader” began spouting more drills and drowned me out slightly. Before I would let him talk once he began, but now I was seeing the “Leader” was just ridiculous.
Me: So all whites are wicked?
“Leader”: Yes. Only the blacks who are from the tribe of Judah, the Indians (Native Americans), and Mexicans here in America can go to Heaven because they are descendants from one of the 12 tribes of Israel and you are not.
Me: I believe in Jesus and His blood covers my sins.
READ…some scripture
Each time the “Leader” would yell for scripture to be read I would make eye contact with each student or participant there and give them a look. The look I was trying to give was one that none of this was affecting me because I knew the truth and I hope they search for the truth too. I prayed for each one as I looked at them that the veils would be lifted and God’s truth would penetrate them.
Me: So what is the point of you being here?
“Leader”: What? (acting like he could not hear me so I would have to repeat myself…a control mechanism)
Me: What is the point? Why are you yelling on the street corner all whites being evil and you guys being the only ones to go to heaven? It’s not benefiting anyone but yourself.
“Leader”: Oh I’m not doing this for you. We’re doing this for that guy over there.
I look over and 50 feet away I see a single middle aged black man sitting on a bench facing perpendicular to us. The leader yells out to him, “What does God say about the black man?”
Guy in bench: He is the chosen one of God.
“Leader”: Who are the whites?
Guy on bench: Wicked!
The “Leader” looks at me: See he get’s it. I’m only talking to you because I hope I hurt your feelings.
Me: Well you aren’t because I know the truth.
“Leader”: So where do you think you are going when you die?
Me: Heaven
“Leader”: No you aren’t. I pray you hang yourself tonight. (smile)
Me: I believe in Jesus and He has covered me.
“Leader”: If you get into heaven I’m not….
(What I think the “Leader” wanted to say bit realized the hypocrisy of it: “If you get into heaven I’m not going there”)
Instead the “Leader” turned his back and walked away for a circle. READ…some verse.
Me: Who are you guys with?
No answer really. I asked again.
Then the “Leader” said to the side: A church that if you walk in the door of we will show you out the other door.
They all laughed. I’m thinking…the other door is nothing good.
I studied their attire more. On their head was a covering with a cut out on the top of it in the shape of the Star of David in gold trim. They are basing all their salvation on their apparent heritage they claim. Nothing to do with grace even though they say they believe in Jesus.
When the “Leader” faced me again I said: “You are a false prophet.”
I looked to the rest of them: “What he is saying is not true. Please get into God’s word and see the truth for yourself.”
“Leader”: I wanna slit your throat.
Me: I’ll just go to heaven faster.
The “Leader” began walking away and the body guard and another followed.
“Leader”: You’re not going to heaven.
Me: According to Jesus I am.
Body guard: The only way you would be in heaven is as a slave… (with a laugh) you can be my slave.
Me: I’ll be praying for you.
“Leader”: God does not hear your prayers.
Me: He does.
“Leader”: Because you are wicked.
Me: False Prophet.
The “Leader” yelled something as he was still walking away too far away for me to understand. So I raised my hand indicating I could not hear him.
Walking back to my car was terrible. All of a sudden realizing how much evil I had been surrounded by consumed me and I cried.
All those faces have kept passing through my mind. They have no idea what real truth and real freedom in Christ in. I know I myself am not fully grasping it as well, but at least I am on God’s path to better understanding it and living it. They are being fed constant lies.
Another fear that came to me is for that “Leader” and anyone else who is proclaiming this “truth.” The verse Matthew 18:5-6 has not left my head since it happed. It says, “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” In other words, in caring for and protecting the innocent, the weak, the unlearned, the vulnerable, and the needy, we prove our love for the Lord. A huge responsibility of being a Christian is looking out for the innocent and naive, doing all that we can to keep others from stumbling. The “Leader” basically needs to tie a millstone around his neck because the later would be worse for him. But more so for him to be awakened is my ultimate prayer.
This verse has as well been convicting me in my interactions with my youth that look up to me to show them Jesus. Pray hard for them and pray hard to only speak and display God’s truth and character to them to not lead them astray; otherwise that millstone needs to go around my neck.
