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On Ferguson…. Cries for Justice and Order

12/2/2014

13 Comments

 

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Streets are flooding with people; buildings are burning with fire, and the air is  thick with hostility.  Tension is mounting; civility is subsiding, as the nation of pundits are sitting and watching.  This describes the current setting of Ferguson, Missouri when the grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown was released under the mysterious veil of the night.  While many suspected this to be the outcome of the process, the volatile reaction in the streets of Ferguson has facilitated much social turbulence and unrest.  Many throughout the nation are protesting the decision as unfair, immoral, and unjust, and we are left to wrestle again with the demon of racism and systematic injustice. 

Thousands have chimed in on the current affairs of our time giving their opinions and perspectives on what this means and by what means we can move beyond this moment.  These sentiments have come from across the world from different ethnic groups and classes with some supporting each party and its respective viewpoint.  As I watched the world react on television, read others’ opinions on Facebook and Twitter, and even engaged in conversation with friends, I felt it was imperative that I give a pastoral, biblical, and theological perspective on these current events. 

I must admit that the past does bear on my perspective.  I speak as a son of a people who has suffered much pain from systematic oppression.  I acknowledge there are some who may disagree with my insights and fail to understand my viewpoint.  They would even suggest that there is no inequity in the administering of laws in this nation.  They would rather ignore the truth than face reality.  Consequently, I suggest that anyone who doesn’t empathize with the unfolding events in Ferguson has been sheltered by privilege and/or has never felt the chilling effects from the winds of discrimination.

Yet, I am an ambassador of reconciliation, speaking for the King of kings; therefore, I offer these thoughts for your consideration and contemplation.  As I pondered and prayed about this situation, I recognized that there were two biblical cries that have been echoed throughout this week.  There has been a cry for justice and a cry for order.  These are both biblical cries that the body of Christ should support with passion in light of the teachings of scripture.

We should cry for justice as Amos did in Amos 5:24, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”  When a life is so devalued that one can be shot down in the middle of the street with his body lying uncovered for hours as if he were 3/5 of a man, we should say, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”  When the system protects the impulsive, irrational reactions of those who are charged to protect us from such actions, we should say, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”  When we are more sensitive to the loss of property than to the loss of life and those who are pro-life act as if the loss of this life is no reason for strife, we should cry, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream!”

Yet, there is another cry, a cry for order.  As believers we cannot uphold the destruction of property, unnecessary violence, and other senseless acts.  We must cry out for justice without undermining the rule of law.  Although one may feel the pain caused by the findings of the grand jury, one must channel their emotions so that his or her actions are constructive, not destructive.  The Bible teaches that all things should be done decent and in order.  Furthermore, as believers we must heed to the admonishment of the scripture to obey the law and submit to governing authorities.  While the pain is real and the anger is understandable, we are reminded to be angry but sin not.  Martin Luther King said, “Rioting is the language of the unheard.”  While this is true, we must acknowledge that looting, vandalism and violence are wrong and cannot be upheld under any circumstance.  The higher ground must always be sought even when you are the offended in the situation.

There is a cry for justice and a cry for order.  Both cries are needed in this hour as we navigate the chilling water of injustice and work toward ensuring that the setting unfolding in Ferguson does not become the setting of other cities in our nation.  We must work to ensure that another life is not lost and the executor walks away guiltless.  We must work to ensure that this moment produces change and awakens others to the fact that injustice anywhere is truly a threat to justice everywhere.  We must work to engage in a productive conversation, which will yield the byproduct of progress as the cry of justice is heard and order is maintained.





13 Comments
Mariah Jones
12/5/2014 02:16:07 am

You are an inspirational and will always be mines.

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Ericka Johnson
12/5/2014 02:42:14 am

As enlightening as this is, there will be some who agree and disagree. We will agree to the cry for justice and disagree to the cry for order because we won't to say our actions are brought on due to the injustice. We always look for ways to justify the wrong. I love how you point out that we are accountable for our actions and in no shape or form are they acceptable if we do not line up with the word. Well said!

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Eugene Lawson
12/5/2014 02:46:13 am

First and foremost let me congratulate you on your accomplishments. I pray that God continues to bless you as you bless others. You've always been the guy I would like to become one day. I admire your passion, vision, and determination. Keep up the good work guy. This is a very touchy subject. As a police officer I deal with people of different backgrounds on a daily basis. Some people whom I come in contact with might be having one of those I don't care days. Do I think other actions could've been taken in Ferguson? Yes I do but, also be mindful all we the people know is what's actually being released. The initial call was that a store was just robbed at gun point just blocks away by a black male matching mike browns description. As an officer of the law he did what he was suppose to do which was investigate the situation like we would any other call. Now the problem I have is (note:each state has different laws) here in Alabama you are not to engage your threat if the threat is moving in the opposite direction of you (running away). The report stayed that when the officer pulled up and asked brown to stop he first jumped in the officers cruiser and tried to get his gun and that's where the first shot came from then it states that he started running away and the officer pursued him on foot and shot then brown turned around and charged at the officer. Here in Alabama we have what's called the fleeing felon act which basically states you are not to shoot a suspect from behind unless there is a case where you believe the suspect will cause harm to others and/or if there is intimate danger. The jury made their decision from the evidence that was presented to them and yet you destroy your city and expect justice. We at the Montgomery Police Department we have what's called a force continuum chart. This chart gives us the amount of force to apply concerning the necessary threat or target whether this will be this deadly force or non deadly force. The the problem I have is not with the decision that was made but with the people who protest last year alone right here in Montgomery we had 50 homicides and not one time did our people itself protest but when the ball was turned and the white man kills a black man that's when the hell breaks out to me that's backwards if we don't care enough about our own lives and protest when we kill each other we keep but, when the white man kills the black man there's so much to be said no continue to stay quite. It's not a color thing to me it's a life. The same God that created Dr. King created Pope Francis. When we as a people line up with God's will and not man's or personal wills. The world will be a better place. If you get nothing from Ferguson just look at what took place. God said that on his next return that there will be no more water but, fire next time. Dion continue to do God's will guy.

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Rodney Morton
12/5/2014 02:46:27 am

Pastor your words are truly those of a leader prepared and equipped to lead the next generation to another level. Continue to use your gifts to make a difference. May God continue to bless you with the insight and wisdom to chart a course for our nation. I appreciate your voice and vision.

Peace,
Morton

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Stephanie Moore
12/5/2014 03:30:01 am

I enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed hearing it Sunday. Instead of getting together to destroy our neighborhoods, we need to come together and find a solution to the issues.

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Mildred Stallworth link
12/5/2014 05:44:58 am

I am happy to see your webpage and that you have begun to enter into the blessed place that God has gifted you, which is writing. This article captivated my attention because it is time the church speak out. The solution to this problem lie in the word of God. Jesus confronted injustice and He was plotted against to be killed. Luke 18:1-8 say; And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him. We should not take matters into our own hands, but trust in God’s righteous plans. It takes faith and self-control, especially when an injustice has been committed such as this. We can not give up but continue to fight God's way; through prayer and non-violence!

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Kataviya Nettles
12/5/2014 05:52:15 am

I completely agree with you and Eugene. I do not blame the citizens of Ferguson for being outraged. I was outraged. All of these situations ex. Eric and Trayvon has me fearing for my brother's life because it seems as if a young black man's life is of no value. However, that is not an excuse nor does it justifies destroying your own home, putting others out of a job because you burned down their place of employment . This simply cause the world to look at you negatively instead of focusing on the bigger picture. I also believe we are hypercritics. The same people burning down buildings are the same ones on Twitter and Facebook hashtagging #Free_____ for a crime they know (s)he committed. It's as if justice doesn't matter when it's your friend or someone of your race that committed the crime.

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Rev. Lundy
12/5/2014 07:39:20 am

Blessings Doc,

I hear both the "cries" (justice and order) that we should, as a faith community, be adamantly seeking in hopes of drying up those tears. This puts great pressure upon those who claim to be apart of this "faith community:" So then what role must we play?

This grave "injustice" is not something that should merit destructive rebellion, but rather a deeper dependence upon God to do the necessary work that is needed to level the playing field. God lucidly says I will do the work, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord," (Romans 12:19). I concur with your statement of "letting justice roll" (Amos 5:24), particularly down into the clevises of our "emotions" when we are experiencing this "injustice." The Apostle Peter said, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you...," (1 Peter 4:12); let the record state that this "fiery trial" is the aggregate "injustice" that Ferguson experienced.

However, no situation should conjugate a response; but rather it should call us to "order." Its sort of like when the judge enters the courtroom to preside over a case, the bailiff calls for "order." Can't you hear God calling us to order? We must as a people align ourselves to God's will that emphatically pursues this "order." The "order" of fulfilling God's purpose in our lives despite the grave "injustices" of this world. A "order" that properly acknowledges the significance of being "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), but while at the same time not allowing "racially overtone labels" to define our actions to this grave "injustice." I'm convinced this "order" is a "posture" that looks to God, not to the systems of this world.

Yes, Ferguson is crying now, but "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning," (Psalm 30:5). Thanks for sharing, Blessings!

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Samantha Jones
12/5/2014 11:27:30 am

Great post! Amen!

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Tamica Shepard
12/5/2014 12:12:41 pm

Pastor, I've always been told that more times than not the truth is hard to hear or in this case read. However it is indeed welcomed. I personally believe that racism and stereotyping is taught and unfortunately it is the root of the chain of events that is occuring in Missouri and now New York. Therefore because racism and stereotyping is very much a factor in society, we as a people must rise above it all and stand united in the word of God. Because HE is and always will be source in which all our help comes from. #TGBT

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Ebony Flake link
12/6/2014 10:57:41 am

Pastor,
These are trying times in our country. Folks are hurting, bewildered, and confused. It is times like these that reveal true leadership; Those willing to stand up and speak out to confront controversial topics and provide direction and proactive solutions. Your ability to marry Christianity with social activism is reminiscent of the great leaders of the Civil Rights era. Keep up the great work!

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Camella Hollaway
12/10/2014 04:57:24 am

You are indeed a man of great wisdom and understand. I thank God for sending you to Selma AND Selma University.

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Pastor Brian Johnson
12/11/2014 11:54:32 am

I must agree Pastor Culliver you are right but however some will try to justify the riot. I say amen to all u said in your blog and it does take spiritual eyes to see the big picture. May God bless u and your future. God works in mysterious way when I think about how God has done things in your life, smallest to biggest, yet all God. Preaching sermons year after year at Bethel in monroeville, al.. MLK programs and listening to profound words then, God was transitioning you for Selma, Al. Only right you let God use u in a National way in spreading the gospel and civil rights speaker. Bless u

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    Pastor ODC is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Church in Selma, AL and a graduate of Beeson Divinity School.  He is a biblical scholar/student with social consciousness that challenges society to examine itself in light of the scripture.  He also encourages believers to fulfill their divine purpose to the glory of God.  His writing is compelling, convicting, and challenging.

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