Charleston- It’s about Racism first, not forgiveness.

For the past few days the nation has watched the story of Charleston unfold. It began with a heinous act. The media jumped on it. People reacted. But it took an unexpected turn when the family and friends of the victims responded. We all watched the chilling scene.

The message of love of forgiveness, as preached and exemplified in Jesus… and this has gripped Christians, in good ways. But I am afraid it has also distracted Christians in bad ways.

Allow me wreck any expectations you might have: Charleston should not be viewed as a feel good Christian story–the victims take the high road, show forgiveness, and preach the gospel to the victimizer, who later accepts Christ and shares his story. We’ve all seen stories like this transform into low-budget inspirational films shown at Christian festivals during the summer.

You see, forgiveness is just a response to everything that has happened. And yes, it is the right response. But Charleston is first and foremost about sin. It is about a corporal sin that has been neglected and denied by many [alleged Christians]. Charleston is about racism. Roof did not kill those people because they were Christian, he killed them because they were black (see here). So let’s not lose focus of the problem.

But I am afraid the narrative on Charleston has already been written, at least for Christians. “It’s about living out the gospel. It’s about forgiveness.” Starting tomorrow this story is going to ring out from the pulpits. And very soon it is going to become that familiar illustration on forgiveness. But the real sin issue, racism, is going to be hiding comfortably under the “spiritual” garbs.

Here is a question: How many Christians will reference Charleston as a story of forgiveness all without mentioning the glaring sin that is staring us in the face, racism?

The church must preach forgiveness. But it is also called to preach against societal sin. It is called to preach a holistic gospel.

I guess what I am trying to say is this: Let the response of forgiveness move you. But don’t let it distract you. Don’t let it make you settle. Don’t feel comfortable thinking that the right response has solved this ugly sin. Practice forgiveness but also fight for justice. And don’t be afraid to talk about… wait for it… RACISM.