Part 1: Inspecting the Wall
Part 1: Inspecting the Wall
Toward A Recapitulation of Faith and Faithfulness Amongst Black Students in Racialized American Society.
Introduction
Youth and Young Adults in the Black community are becoming increasingly disconnected from Black churches, creating a gulf between the belief systems of the youth and that of their parents and grandparents. In fact, while around two-thirds of Black millennials and Gen Z identify as Christians, it is still 10 percentage points fewer than Black Gen Xers and 20 percentage points fewer than Black Boomers. [1]
Black young people have admitted to growing unease with the intolerance they see in their congregations, the apparent contradictions in biblical texts, and the Christian systems that have contributed to, been complicit in, or outright promulgated anti-Black racism and oppression. [2]
In short, the growing disinterest, distrust, and unsatisfied curiosity of a generation have placed a task before those who desire vocational ministry and practitioners. The task is not theirs alone to achieve, but when it comes to restoring the hope and resilience lost in the disparity of a racialized American society, ministers of Εὐαγγέλιον have the most to offer.
American philosopher, political activist, and social critic Dr. Cornell West offers the most cogent synopsis when he says:
To talk about the depressing statistics of unemployment, infant mortality, incarceration, teen pregnancy, and violent crime is one thing. But to face the monumental eclipse of hope, the unprecedented collapse of meaning, and the incredible disregard for human (especially Black) life and property in much of Black America is something else. [3]
West is correct; the experience and ill effects of racism, police brutality, microaggression, and recidivism at a rate unparalleled, have contributed to the theodicy and hopelessness aforementioned, and, thus, any attempt to reach these youth and young adults must adequately address their core cultural concerns.
There are various biblical pericopes that serve as helpful guides for reconstruction, reformation, and recapitulation of Christian hope, faith, truth, and discipleship. If what is built does not answer the questions related to successful and holistic discipleship of these youth, such as: 1) What is going on; 2) Why is it going on; 3) what ought to be going on; and 4) How might we respond? It will be vulnerable to the destruction and unhelpful for a generation that needs refuge and restoration at a critical time in history. This series will use the story of Israel’s post-exilic return to Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah as a guide for approach and analysis of the contemporary issues facing Black Students in our day.
[1] “Faith and Religion among Black Americans,” Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project, March 25, 2021, https://www.pewforum.org/2021/02/16/faith-among-Black Americans, 12, 14, 15.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Cornel West, Race Matters (Boston: Beacon Press, 2018), 12.