The Inconvenient Truth of a Theological Amnesia

by Dameon E. Madison

For some weeks now, I have been struggling, attempting to organize my thoughts enough to be able to write.   I confess, that I have suffered from sensory overload here of late.  There has been so much I have read, observed, conversed about – things that just seem nonsensical.   I’m sure you are wondering what has me in such a mental muddle.  Well, all I can say is I’m weary of the “isms” of our society, especially racism and oppression.   

As I think on recent events it seems that our society has become desensitized to the reality of their existence.  Moment to moment conversation to conversation it seems we tuck our heads to truth turning a blind eye to what is real.  Racism, oppression, “isms” still exists.   Admittedly, I am frustrated, saddened even, at the extent many go to decry a reality they know nothing about.  Conversely, I find myself befuddled at those who have completely embraced capitalism and are willing to ignore truth for the sake of a dollar.   The avoidance, the apathy, and the ignorance – all have me in an emotional and intellectual quagmire.

More than that, theologically I wrestle with the lengths “Christiandom” goes, to rush past issues yet to be confronted and reconciled.    It is here where much of my emotional tension rests.   How is the church so silent on oppressive issues?  How do we continue to worship a God of justice and reconciliation and do nothing? Why do we want to rush to fix something we will not face?

I am concerned the church has lost it compassion and Christ centered worship. To study the life of Christ is to behold a life of One who had compassion and concern for all – including the Least of These.  To study the Bible is to see where we are commanded to embrace not only righteousness but also justice.  To adequately “love our neighbor as ourselves” is to be concerned about the needs and conditions of others.  To worship Christ is to have compassion for His people.   But, to truly animate these sentiments poses an Inconvenient Truth.   

I wonder if we want to rush past conversations about our “isms” and move to hurried reconciliation to avoid the inconvenience latent within veracity.   Maybe, it’s too inconvenient to admit the sociological or economic privilege from which you benefit. Maybe, it’s inconvenient to confront the reality that this same privilege may have given way to oppressive behavior – even if not born out of hatred.  Maybe it’s inconvenient to accept that silence is often complicity.  Maybe it’s inconvenient to admit that we have become more concerned with a Sunday event than the “Life Between Sunday’s” reality of those we are called to shepherd. Maybe it’s inconvenient to admit that we have become apathetic and have bowed to the very oppression God has called us to stand against.   Maybe, just maybe, we are suffering from theological selective amnesia.

Yes, reconciliation must be an objective, intertwined with an open conversation geared toward healing, repentance and restoration.   Yet, it is impossible to reconcile when there is no admission of the need to.   We cannot fix what we will not face. We must be willing to deal with the uncomfortable realities of our world.

The same energy we invest in “popular topics” we must also place toward racism, sexism, economic disenfranchisement, equal opportunity in education, access to clean water, redlining, drug and gun infiltration, police brutality, mass incarceration . . . Truthfully, we must have compassion toward the oppression of God’s people in any form.   This too is inconvenient, as we have to be willing to stretch beyond our comfort and love beyond ourselves.

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