I'm sad about South Africa... (p2)

The BBC podcast called "Documentary" is doing series on race and reconciliation with South Africa as its case study.  I just listened to part one and my heart broke.  The next generation of South African's don't seem to be owning the hard fought battle for reconciliation.  Mandela walked out of prison eighteen years ago but those born since then (they call them "born frees") are at odds with each other.  I was saddened as I listened to the retelling of race motivated violence perpetrated by both blacks and whites upon each other. 

The church appears to have lost it's prophetic voice.  No it's worse than that, Apartheid still exists in the church!  The interviewer asked a young white man if he had ever dated a black girl.  He said, "No, because I'm a Christian."  He went on to say that in the same way that he wouldn't date another man because the Bible is against homosexuality he wouldn't date outside of his race because of the what he has been told the scriptures say.  Lord, have mercy!

It just goes to that being born free doesn't mean you are free.  Each generation has to rediscover the past and choose the path of peace.

Comments

[preacherman]

I think this wonderful.
I appreciate you sharing this great news with us.
Wonderful post as always.

[Dale]

Good Morning Pastor Robert:
I think that(this might just be an understatement)man has always been his worst enemy. Whether Christian,Jewish,or whatever. And we try to validate this in the name of God, or some other higher power.

[Amy]

Here's a great podcast for you to listen to and add to your list.

http://www.daveramsey.com/media/audio/podcast/podcast_itunes.xml

[Colin Hearn]

This is such a sad comment,but you are so right. And we must keep reminding people that they have a choice. I was wondering have you ever read anything by Frank Laubach. You said something in the sermon 2 weeks ago and my mind was drawn to him as I had just done a study about him an experiencing God's presence all the time. You might want to check out the book Letters by a modern mystic.
Any way keep up the great work, always fun to read your comments.

[Ally Saurus]

If there's one thing I'm good at it's making a fool of myself. Well, here I go again...(Sorry Robert...)

Loved the service this weekend. By the end I felt drawn, compelled to go up to the front...I felt like God was offering me everything I ever wanted right there in that moment. Freedom from the fears that eat and eat and eat away at me. Sense of my past, purpose for my future.

But I didn't want to stand up in front of everyone, walk down to the front...so I did everything I could to just tune it all out...and I dashed (as naturally as possible) out to my car. I had made my escape.

It's been killing me all week.

I love blogging. I visit this blog a lot. And I keep checking and checking, wishing that someone would post up saying that they were like Jonah from the Old Testament or Peter when he denied Christ...that they just got too scared and ran away.

Cause I feel AWFUL. And I keep wondering and wondering if all those promises I heard are still true. If He still wants me. If He's still calling me.

So today I decided I'd be the one to make a fool of myself (it's my gifting).

'Cause I know that all those promises are still true. That He does love all the Jonahs and Peters of the world so much, and that He still desires to draw us closer and closer to Himself. Even when we get scared and hide for a little while.

Looking forward to being baptized this next Sunday.

Thanks for letting me make a fool of myself here jt.

[jazztheologian]

Ally,
Yes is promises are still true, He still wants you, He's still calling you and you are not making a fool of yourself! I praise God for you and your story...it is what it is. This week is going to be a God soaked time as we bask in His glory.

Blessings,
robert

[Tom Smith]

Hey Robert,

It is truly sad to see how dark and backward things are here in the neck of my woods but I'm hopeful; God is still at work here in SA - in His mustard seed way. Your post shows our struggle, a struggle some of us are deeply involved in. If you're in the Johannesburg (or Gauteng) area in September then I would love to hang out. Shalom from Africa.