Prophetic Thoughts in the Age of False Prophets
Theologian Gayraud Wilmore, in an interview included in the recently published book, Blow the Trumpet in Zion: Global Vision and Action for the 21st Century Black Church, argued that we live in an age where prophetic Christian voices are for the most part silent, whereas many current public religious figures are not using the Word to speak truth to power and challenge the status quo on a variety of issues affecting people of color and the poor: among these issues and realities include education, health care, unemployment/underemployment, corporate greed, religious pimpitism, and governmental neglect.
I find it a dangerous proposition for those who profess to follow the example of Jesus and have an African America identification to be silent at a time where voices need to rise and speak consistently against the evils of our day. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's most important book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community, still remains as neglected a clarion call for black communities as James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time. This occurs at a time where the messages and lessons in these works and others are so sorely needed. Rampant poverty continues to afflict most cities and rural areas of Black America, the most notable of which remains New Orleans; although New Orleans is certainly not the sole representative.
One problem is that the "Black Church" has largely, with a few notable exceptions, maintained its conservative bent in regards to adopting and incorporating a relevant and practical liberation theology, including womanist theology and a critical black men's theology, into its local church ministry. Much as the "race-traitors" Historian Manning Marable exposes in his book, Great Wells of Democracy, many black preachers and pastors have become more enamored with dollar signs, political payoffs for favors, and intoxicated with the lucrative, popular nature/status of being the next rising star in the "Mega-church" galaxy. While this trend has continued, the masses of black, brown, and poor have suffered incessantly. Many flocks continue to lack couragous shepards who love the people above the so-called benefits of this world, a world continuing to spiral out of control.
The role of the Black preacher/pastor/religious intellectual has been a complex one throughout the history of Africana America. Yet, despite this complexity of identity and affiliation, there have remained those who rose to the occasion when the times and people called for leadership. Unfortunately, faith has been traded in for false witness and the prophetic message of liberation proclaimed by Old Testament prophets and Jesus himself has become a relic of nostalgia for many. Today, church services have become more representative of circus side shows, Sunday morning entertainment clubs, and movie theater performances insead of sites of agency, spiritual salvation, and holistic empowerment. Additionally, churches seem to flock more to the problematic androgynous Amos and Andy slap stick "gospel" plays rather than ministry meetings or NAACP gatherings at the church. Dr. King: Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?
I call for the young adult black women and men prophets of my generation, the Hip Hop Generation, whom God is raising in our midst, to stand up and bring Black/Africana theology back to the church. When we bring the liberation message of the Gospels, without dilution or sugarcoating, along with the divine wisdom from our cultural experience as chosen people of God, we will bring Jesus back into the church like never before. In this clarion call, I challenge the Hip Hop prophets to develop a relevant Hip Hop Liberation Theology.
As Black Theologians, Pastors, and Ministers, we must summon the courage to face the many ghosts in our religious and cultural closets. Once we recommit ourselves to working together to bridge gender divides and instances of historic discrimination, come to grips with closet issues of sexuality, and close the generational gap, the "Black Church" will rise from the ashes like the Phoenix and assume its rightful place as the bastion of the multi-various Black Americas and the nation itself.
Black Churches can only manifest this reality with the proper, prophetic leadership awakening and rising to the occasion. Civil Rights Activist and the guiding influence behind SNCC, Ella Baker said strong people don't need leaders and that we need to implement a model of group- centered leadership. Theologian J. Deotis Roberts called for the development of a Prophethood of Black Believers. We must heed these our elders and develop old/new ways of being unapologetically black and authentically Christian.
Will the real of communities of men and women prophets please come forth? Will the sleeping Lazarus' and Esthers no longer lie sleeping dead! Lazarus come forth and help lead your people.
