What does it mean to be a Reformed Bahamian American? (Part 3)

When I was first introduced to the Reformed faith, I was arrogant.  I admit it.  I laughed at people who didn’t see the Reformed perspective of salvation.  Anyone who believed in free will (meaning we choose God) rather than predestination (God chose us), I would argue with them.  I believed I had seen the light and was one of the “enlightened” ones.  I never said this, of course, but I thought it. 

Reform theology has a way of puffing up people’s minds in a way that makes them think that they are superior to other Christians who do not totally espouse to every doctrine of grace.  Because there is a systematic way of viewing the Bible through covenants, Reform theology may seem very formulaic and therefore be viewed as more right than other theologies that are not consistent all the way through.  What I mean by formulaic is the fact that one can have a blueprint or rule for looking at gospel, salvation, theology, church government, spiritual gifts, and the like.  Now, there is nothing wrong with having a biblical method of searching the scriptures.  The problem arises when we place supreme value upon our own interpretation of scripture over another’s.  Yes, we must tests the spirits and see if what we preach is biblical.  Yet we must also see that we carry our own biases when we look at scripture, whether they are cultural, ethnic, or historical.

The PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) had its origin in Southern states with a dominant white majority.  According the official PCA website(http://www.pcanet.org/general/history.htm), “[the PCA was]Organized at a constitutional assembly in December 1973, this church was first known as the National Presbyterian Church but changed its name in 1974 to Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).  It separated from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (Southern) in opposition to the long-developing theological liberalism which denied the deity of Jesus Christ and the inerrancy and authority of Scripture.  Additionally, the PCA held to the traditional position on the role of women in church offices.”

Before the PCA split from the PCA (USA) because of theological differences, the American Presbyterian church was involved in racism and all of its heinous practices as it relates to ethnic minorities.  Racism was part of the culture of that day, and it directly affected the Southern Presbyterian’s way of life.  Consequently, the PCA sent out a written apology to the General Assembly in 2002 see here: http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/race.html  

Naturally, during the beginning stages of the PCA, it was not multi-ethnic.  The PCA was and still is a predominantly conservative middle to upper class white evangelical denomination (yet there are a rising number of cultures entering the PCA such as Koreans, African-Americans, and Latinos) Why did God call my family from the Bahamas into such a seemingly cultural clash? 

I believe God is calling the church as a whole, whether PCA or not, to think outside the box.  The gospel has been opened to the Gentiles i.e. anyone who is not a Jew.  This is exciting news!  We must not think homogeneity but diversity and variety.  God is calling a people to Himself that represent every tribe, tongue, and nation.  The moment we think we have a patent on the gospel or His Holy Spirit; we miss what God has to offer and lose the fullness of His presence.   No wonder we are seeing a revival in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 

I am proud to be born in the Bahamas, naturalized as an American citizen, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.  I see things differently.  I see God’s people as not defined to one particular group.  God is not only the God of the Bahamians, Americans, or Presbyterians, but He is also the God of the whole world.  He is far above anything that we can ever think, imagine, or conceive.  He is the I am that I am, the one who is present yesterday, today, and forever.

The first RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) in a HBCU (Historically Black College/University)!

The PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) has long been an Anglo dominated denomination, not until its formation in 1966 did we see African-Americans entering its membership ranks. Now fast forward to 2011, we have seen many strides among African-Americans in the PCA. We see a growing number of Teaching elders and Ruling elders, multi-ethnic churches like Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS, and cross cultural churches like New City Fellowship in Chattanooga, TN. Suffice it to say, RUF seemed to be one of the least affected areas, as far as African-American leadership and involvement. According to RUF’s website (http://www.ruf.org/our-history/), “Reformed University Ministries grew out of the passion of young, Presbyterian ministers in the southeastern United States in the late 1970's. These individuals dreamed of a campus ministry that was both theologically honest and winsomely welcoming.”

Would African-Americans in the PCA make the jump to RUF ministries? Well, I have proof that not only are African-Americans in the PCA making that leap, but they are also taking ownership of RUF within their cultural context. Take for example, Jackson State’s RUF group led by Elbert McGowan. RUF Jackson State was founded in 2007. It is the first RUF on an HBCU (Historically Black College/University). I had the privilege of seeing 120 young people hungry for the preached word of God gathered together in a classroom that seats over 200 people. When I heard the musicians warming up their drums, piano, guitar, and bass, I was ecstatic! I was overjoyed to see the passionate worship, to hear biblically sound preaching and teaching, to feel the vibrations of black gospel music touching my soul. Yes, African Americans have taken ownership of RUF in the capital city of Mississippi, and they are going strong.

I spoke with young men who were headed to reformed seminaries so that they in turn could start other RUF chapters at HBCUs. God is at work in the PCA in a very visible and tangible way among African American youth. He is calling African American youth back to biblically sound preaching and teaching and radicalizing their hearts toward holiness. 

Check out this link for a taste of RUF at Jackson State:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxyrz3_cnVU&feature=feedwll

What does it mean to be a Reformed Bahamian American? (Part 2)

After searching the scriptures, I struggled to understand the five doctrines of grace, i.e. “five points of Calvinism”, which are as follows: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. 

Total depravity states that humans are morally, spiritually, and socially bankrupt, because of Adam’s (the first man created) sin all of his descendants (us) are born in sin with a sinful nature that affects every area of life(Romans 5:12;14;17-19).

Unconditional Election states that God chose some to salvation before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6) not based on any merit or status or special privilege (Romans 9:15-25), but solely upon God’s Sovereign will. 

Limited Atonement states that Christ died for all whom the Father gave Him (John 17:9).  Christ did not die to save every single person who have ever lived (John 3:18-21).  God does not wish that any should perish, but the reality is that some will perish.  Not everyone will be saved.  Christ died for the church, His bride, His sheep.  That’s why we who have the Spirit of Christ can cry out Abba, Father, because we are His adopted brothers and sisters (Romans 8:15-16).

Irresistible Grace states that when the Word of God is preached, the elect will have their ears, eyes, and hearts opened by the Holy Spirit; and consequently they will believe because God has set His love upon them (Ezekiel 36:24-32).  Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  When Christ calls those whom the Father has given Him, they will answer the call; not by their own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-18; 15:5)

Perseverance of the Saints states that all who are saved and have the Spirit of Christ living within them will not fall away from the faith.  They will have eternal life. See John 10:28-30.  Philippians 1:6 says, “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

After understanding the doctrines of grace, I realize that salvation is truly of the Lord.  It is God who saves, delivers, keeps, elects, and preserves.  It is God who justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies.  Many people, like I did, struggle with understanding God’s work in salvation, especially when we add man’s free will.  I agree it is hard to understand.  It seems as if we are all robots and have no part in our salvation, have no choice in the matter, and have no rights.  But that is false.  We have allot of work to do as seen in Ephesians 2:10.  We are not robots; for we are Christ agents of change on this earth.  We each have our own personalities, talents, and skills.  And God wants to use them for the building of His kingdom.  To put in bluntly, this life is not about us, it’s about God’s glory.  The quicker we see this, the less inclined we are to demand our own rights, will, or decisions.

We have the awesome privilege of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who would believe.  We do not know who the elect are, for the secret things belong to the Lord. However, we do know one thing.  Paul says in Ephesians 3:3-6, “…how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery…which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…”  The purpose of the mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ being revealed to the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew) is this: “…and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church [his elect people] to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…” Ephesians 3:9-11.