I don’t trust people or institutions to connect me to God. I believe that the journey to God is ours alone. There is only one force that can manifest generosity, love and justice in our lives…God. The soul alone is competent in matters of God or righteousness. I first learned about the doctrine of soul competency in the writings of Southern Baptist theologian Dr. E.Y. Mullins. Since encountering the doctrine at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I have clung to a deep abiding belief that real justice is possible only when the soul recognizes injustice through the power of God and responds in righteousness. I do not believe that we can teach our way to a better future.
Generosity cannot be taught. Generosity comes from God alone and must be birthed and embraced. Love cannot be taught. Love comes from God alone and must be incarnated and experienced. Justice cannot be taught. Justice comes from God alone and must be manifested and lived. If we live out the deep righteous inclinations of our souls, true equality and beloved community is not only possible…but will manifest as a present reality. We have the power to do better.
When I first saw the video of police brutality outside of a pool party in McKinney, Texas, I was struck at the core of my soul. I wondered how anyone could watch this video and not realize that racism is a problem in our nation. To deny that racism is a problem is to deny the God that created us. There is no amount of teaching that can bring someone to God….only God can do that. There is no amount of teaching that will be able to change the denial of racism…only God can do that. I believe that the soul alone is competent to understand racism. Let us pray for souls stuck in denial.
Amen.
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