I will now answer some burning questions on your mind with a handy format I just invented called a “Q & A” (The Q stands for Questions and the A stands for Answers and the & stand for ‘and’, kind of clever, eh? I thought so.)

– Q: How long have you been saying Black lives matter, Dave?

– A: I have thought it a long time, but I think I’ve said it most clearly in public when Trayvon Martin was killed 8 years ago, when I was awakened to how devalued black lives were by many and how the system itself seemed to protect those who devalued or even hunted them down to kill them.

– Q: When are you gonna stop saying saying Black lives matter?

– A: When it is no longer controversial to say it, because it shouldn’t be controversial, I might say it less. Part of why I say it is because so many find what should be a patently true thing controversial, which exposes some deep seated prejudice in us in our reactions.

– Q: But what about the organization, are you advocating for that specific organization and their certain beliefs I reject?

– A: There are 80+ organizations that claim that name so your worry is unfounded. A hashtag or slogan is not a party platform. It is a movement of showing compassion and showing value for what so many have clearly devalued and not shown compassion to.

– Q: I’m uncomfortable about neo-marxism. You say things that make me uncomfortable. So, logically, I must accuse you of being a neo-marxist. You seem like you might be a neo-marxist, are you?

– A: Short answer: No, I’m a Wesleyan.

– Q: If slavery is a curse for black people is slavery then a blessing for white people? I kind of like seeing it as a blessing or something like that which is more positive and less accusing.

– A: No. Some want to re-language white privilege in light of the fact that we white persons are too fragile to call these advantages “privilege” and might somehow be more comfortable with saying slavery is a curse for blacks but a blessing for us. This is faulty theology of blessings. God did not bless white people with the fruits of slavery. Yes, the phrase “white privilege” triggers us. We might just pause in that truth and ask what perpetrator trauma still sits in our souls that triggers us? The reality is that the oppressor is also cursed by sin, not only the oppressed. In fact, the curse is on us for the sin for a few generations… whereas the righteousness of the oppressed flows for a thousand generations (See Exodus 20). Don’t worry, it’s not your *fault* that you may have been born with white privilege, it is just a responsibility I and others have to do something positive with.

– Q: Are you saying I am a racist? It seems like people are calling everyone racist and that’s wrong and judgemental!

– A: You wouldn’t want me to say, “I am perfect.” However, we are prone to say, “First of all, I am not a racist, but…” We claim total perfection in the area of prejudice. I have seen other people say: “I have never met a racist.” Well, I have met a racist—in the mirror. Being honest with my God about prejudicial actions, views, and ways I contribute to and benefit from systemic racism were all journeys of realizing I am part of the problem, and part of the solution. I am just asking all to join in the freeing and sanctifying holiness journey that begins with tossing denial out the window. Remember: all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

– Q: You talk a lot about racial injustice these days, and I’ve noticed in the past you make a big deal about that and immigrants too. Why is that? Why don’t you make a big deal about other causes I think are more important?

– A: First of all, when someone else talks about something they. are passionate about, and I’m tempted to say “But what about…” I need to remember that this is a Soviet propaganda tactic called ‘Whataboutism” during the old Cold War. Any criticism of the Soviet Union’s internal aggression or external repression was met with a ‘what about?’ some crime of the West, from slavery to the Monroe doctrine. In the era when you could be shot for trying to leave the socialist paradise and with political prisoners rotting in Siberia, whataboutism was little more than a debating tactic. Also I speak out on a great variety of social issues including racial injustice, abortion, immigration, religious freedom, women in leadership, etc… usually because they are of more specific concern to The Wesleyan Church and we have specific statements that back up my take–I’m not just espousing my view, I’m extrapolating an interpretation of what it means to be a Wesleyan in this world, and that includes speaking up about injustices as wide-ranging as the great modern-tragedy of abortion (a full third of those conceived the year I was born were aborted in the US!) to the deliberate marginalization and exploitation of immigrants in our society. I’m glad if you have some other area to speak about–I’m listening and would love to know what you care about.

– Q: You seem like you’re getting political. I don’t like Christian leaders who talk to much about politics. Keep your political views out of my timeline!

– A: Okay, feel free to mute me or unfriend or unfollow me as some have done. Just so you know–I find it compelling that my people have historically done the opposite of what you ask here. They have found a way to speak into the political and social issues of the culture without getting partisan. I don’t want to ever become beholden to one party–but I want the church to be a sanctifying influence on the politics of the day.

– Q: You seem aggressive and belligerent to me, like you have a chip on your shoulder a little. Why are you so animated?

– A: Sorry! Guilty as charged. I don’t tend to do anything half-way and I need to calm down a bit at times. Sorry, if I’ve pushed you away or made you feel attacked. I’m a little over the top at times. My apologies!