A MUST READ FOR EVERY BLACK KINGDOM-MINDED VOTER
By William Dwight McKissic, Sr.
May 15, 2012
Pastor Eric Redmond has penned an eloquent, educated, ethnocentric sensitive, brief, balanced and fair response regarding President Obama’s affirmation of same-sex marriages. His assessment and analysis is prophetic, powerful and persuasive.
Every Black, Bible-believing Christian should read this before November’s election. I heartily recommend and agree with every single word. May the Lord grant wisdom and knowledge to His people as we all attempt to come to grips with this moral crisis! You may access Redmond’s article, “A Man From Issachar,” at ericredmond.wordpress.com.
Please forward this to everyone who you know that is seeking answers for this voting dilemma that many African American evangelicals are facing. May the Lord bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you is our prayer. Amen.
Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr. 
May 15, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Rev. McKissic,
I’ve followed the response of Black Church leaders – including yourself and Rev. Redmond – with some interest as I’m scheduled to present a paper on this very subject at the upcoming Baptist History & Heritage conference titled “From Proposition 8 to Amendment One: Black Baptists, Same-Sex Marriage and Visions of the Beloved Community.”
What I observed in that paper and is becoming more evident through the various responses in the media and blogosphere is that there is a seemingly growing diversity of viewpoints within the Black Church (following albeit perhaps more slowly larger trends among Americans).
And more specifically there is a seemingly growing diversity of viewpoints among prominent and respected Black Church leaders AND respected African-American politicians (along with cultural icons, i.e. Jay-Z).
In years past, we saw Coretta Scott King embrace gay rights, we saw John Lewis endorse the legal right to same-sex marriage and now more members of the Congressional Black Caucus have followed suit. During the Amendment One debate, we saw the president of the North Carolina NAACP mobilize in opposition. There are numerous other examples (Frederick Haynes, etc.) as well.
I’m obviously not African-American. But, I think it’s problematic anytime a Baptist attempts to speak on behalf of others as Rev. Redmond did with his collective “we” in this op-ed.
Respected Black Church leaders would disagree. Otis Moss III and his beloved father Otis Moss Jr. definitely would. Here is a recent clip from Moss III sermon on this subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Ktjqf9Vi4
Moss distinguishes between the political and theological, between “rite” and “right.” That’s an important distinction in my mind.
On a different note, I must admit to being a bit confused about one thing. Prior to last week, the President was a supporter of civil unions. During the campaign, he opposed the Defense of Marriage Act and supported the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The repeal of DADT is one of his first-term accomplishments.
So, this president has always been a vocal and active supporter of gay rights. Yet, there seems to be a disconnect given the tone of your previous post and Rev. Redmond’s op-ed. Most conservatives consider civil unions to be marriage in everything but name. The President’s support for the legal right to same-sex marriage was indeed historically significant. But it’s not like he was opposed to gay rights prior to this week.
May 16, 2012 at 5:29 pm
BDW,
Thanks for visiting my place. You always make significant contributions to Baptist blogs.
Hearing the words for the first time in history from an American President–” I affirm same-sex marriages”–was indeed startling. historic, and attention arresting, in a way “civil-unions” just don’t provoke the same response.
I’ll be interested in reading about your presentation and getting a copy of it, after your presentation.
Dwight
May 15, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Pastor McKissic,
I find it troubling that those in the faith community who embrace the president’s endorsement of same-sex marriage seem to be caught off guard by those of us who believe beyond-a-shred-of-a-shade-of-a-shadow-of-a-doubt that same-gender sexual practices, marriage and/or civil unions are contrary to Biblical teaching. When did the church become culture’s marionette? Whatever happened to H. Richard Niebuhr’s “enduring problem?”
The President might have been “politically correct” in his support of same-sex marriage BUT he is “Biblically wrong!” And, I feel no pressure to “go left” with him on this subject. I’m hardwired to Romans 12:1, which reads, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The Church is by commission and definition out of step, out of sync with the culture in which we live. This is right where we are supposed to be! If we conform to the culture, we could and would not be salt and light to the culture.
Also, may I hasten to add, that as a person of faith who also thinks, I reject any notion that my (or any one else’s) refusal to accept homosexual behavior as normative makes me (or anybody else) “homophobic.” I mention this because those who advocate and/or practice same-gender romance, marriage, or civil unions are quick to apply the “homophobic” label to those who dare disagree with them. This is unfortunate because it inhibits intelligent debate and discussion on the matter. Why should anyone be forced, ridiculed, or badgered to walk lock-step with an idea or way of relating that is flawed ontologically. Those of us who subscribe to the truth of the Word of God have every right to disagree with any behavior that is incompatible with the will of God.
along the journey,
michael bell
May 16, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Dr. Bell,
Truly you are a prophetic voice in this season and region. You are a deep thinker and gifted writer. If ever the church and our nation needs a prophetic voice–especially on this issue –it is now. You speak truth to power and the language of the academy, in a way that many of us don’t. I’m blessed and honored that the Lord has blessed me to be accepted as one that you’ve shown kindness and friendship to. Your comment above was a great read. Thanks for contributing to the discussion.
Dwight
May 16, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Dwight, regardless of the race of anyone on either side of Eric Redmond’s article, it’s a terrific piece making excellent points, as well written as anything I’ve read and absolutely on target (it seems to me). Thanks for pointing us to it.
May 16, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Bob,
Bingo!!! See you in Naw’lins.
Dwight
June 23, 2012 at 6:10 am
“…Every Black, Bible-believing Christian should read this before November’s election…”
You claimed that this was not about politiucs but about Kingdom thinking. The above statemen t belies your claim. Your agenda appears to be to get the man of your race re-elected despite his endorsement of gay marriage.
June 23, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Walt,
If you read Pastor Eric Redmond’s article referenced here entitled, “Obama, Gay-Marriage and the Black Church Vote,” you will have to admit that Redmond is saying–and I agree–that President Obama is subject to lose the Black Church vote with his support of same-sex marriage. There is no reference in this article, or my statement pointing to this article, to Mitt Romney. You totally misrepresent the truth in your comment here and over at SBC Voices. Redmond’s article that I endorsed in this post totally, unequivocally, and absolutely, contradicts your claim that “Your agenda appears to be to get the man of your race re-elected despite his endorsement of gay marriage.” There is no way that one could read Redmond’s article published at Baptist Press, or any of my writings and draw that conclusion. An apology is in order here.
Dwight
June 23, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I stated before that I cannot read your heart hence I was not making an accusation, only speculating. Your statement that your people should remember this in November is purely political, not kingdom oriented. It is this to which I challenge your statement that it is not political.
June 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Walt,
Would you please point out where I said that “blacks should remember Mitt Romney’s Bible in November”?
Dwight
June 23, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Walt,
Speculation is very irresponsible in a public forum like blog sites.
June 23, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Dwight: Is it as bad as denouncing the motives of the many godly people who rejected your agenda at the SBC as being tolerant of racism? Are you claiming that you can read men’s hearts?
June 23, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Dwight: Taken from your sermon: “…I am equally as concerned about Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith and what the Mormon “Bible” teaches about race. If Mitt Romney is elected President of the United States of America, for the first time in American history, we will have elected a President that ascribes to a “Bible” that teaches that “blackness of skin” is a curse. That is a huge obstacle that he will have to overcome, if he expects “blackness” of skin people to take him serious as a Presidential candidate…”
You were warning black people about a Romney presidency and necessarily inferring that they should not vote for him.
June 23, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Walt,
You don’t seem to know the difference between informing and “inferring”? I was informing, not inferring. As with the case of President Obama’s views on gay-marriage; I was informing and I am willing to let each person decide to do with the information whatever they wish.
Dwight
June 23, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Walt,
My final comment for the evening: persons at the SBC did not reject my agenda “as being tolerant of racism”; they rejected an opportunity to inform potential Mormon converts and those already converted who are unaware regarding the racist source Mormon documents. They will have to answer for that-not me. They missed an opportunity to stop Mormon evangelism almost in it’s tracks among dark-skinned people. But I believe that this is my calling, and God is opening doors for me to address this issue and eventually NAMB may do so as well. God will work this out for the good of all involved.
Dwight
June 23, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Dwight: We have both shared our views. It is now up to the readers to decide.
October 25, 2012 at 9:16 pm
If we vote against gay marriage and abortion, then we are voting for a false religion, and against the deity of Jesus Christ? Juxtapositionally, if we vote against Mormonism, we vote for abortion. Which of these has God put his stamp of approval on? Which one of these two men should the Body of Christ look to to execute God’s will? Do you not know that a vote for one is a vote against another, and a vote against the other is a vote for the first? (Matthew 12:30)
We Christians and evangelicals, must know that God is not a republican nor is He democrat nor will any of God commandments ever be filled in the office of the president. Those in the presidential race care nothing about God, their auxiliary compliance to God’s law is at most coincidental.
To insinuate that through voting we can restraint sin is both foolish and disrespectful to my intelligence. Restraint of sin is God’s duty not our. moreover, saying that we hate the sin of gay marriage, but love the sin of idolatry. and denying the deity of Jesus Christ is not a better way they, are both evil in God’s eye. Ephesians 5:11
The problem is not with our presidential candidate its with the churches that are quick to become 501 (c) 3 And the pastors that prostitutes God for government money.
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