James writes.....
"No one doubts that these events occurred ... and there is always room for improvement .. my pastor freely admits things are far better than when he was a boy.
Thankfully he looks forward .. forgives the past ... and trusts in the forgiving hand of a loving God. Rather than reliving the past ... attempting to inflict guilt where the blood of Christ has forgiven all sins, he continues to witness his faith to all he encounters."
I respond...
It is also for Christians to acknowledge the reality of how cultural and institutional racism continues to exists today. Yes, the CTCR report was written after the sixties. Sadly, the report did not prompt Lutheran citizens of this country to speak up for change as racism continued to exists in our midst.
Christ freely forgives sins when sinners come before God asking forgiveness. Where denial exists, Christ also speaks the Law.
The Church, the Bride of Christ to whom God has given authority to forgive sins, is also the Church,our Mother, to whom God has given authority to proclaim the Law . When racism, cultural, institutional or in the hearts of individuals, is denied, the Law must be spoken. Where self-righteous exists, the Law must be spoken. Where injustice persists, the Law must be spoken.
To say there "is always room for improvement" is a an excuse for sin. To say there "is always room for improvement" as long as the one proclaims faith in the forgiveness of sins perpetuates "cheap grace."
Marie Meyer
