At Religion Dispatches, Ronald B. Neal writes about the recent resignation of Dr. Brad Braxton from his position as pastor of Riverside Church, and the implications this holds for progressive Christianity:
Dr. Braxton’s resignation, after a controversial 9 months, is symptomatic of a deep theological and ethnic dilemma among progressive Christians. This dilemma, which is spelled out in terms of race, class, and culture, is far from new having plagued the progressive Christian tradition since its emergence in the early 19th century. From abolitionism to liberation theology, an uneasy relationship has existed between literate and so-called enlightened Christians and people of color—especially people of color who are in one way or another connected to or influenced by populist and charismatic religion.
Although progressive Christians have been allies of America’s outcast populations, such alliances have not precluded progressive Christians from being cultured despisers of the cultures of the oppressed. Hence, the alliances between progressive Christians, especially progressive whites and disinherited blacks, have always been conflicted and constrained. And even when progressive black Christians, who are literate and credentialed, find themselves in the same company as progressive white Christians, with similar status, the racial and background differences (not to add racial anxiety) do not disappear.
Read the full post here.