I have watched the argument over the statement “black lives matter” versus the organization by the same name build, and especially since “Black-out Tuesday”, June 2, 2020, in the use of the phrase “black lives matter” or #blacklivesmatter. The argument is simple; the use of the phrase does not mean one supports or embraces the organization by the same name. Technically, maybe so, but practically nothing could be further from the truth.
I recently read an excellent article in Baptist Press by Kelvin J. Cochran, former Atlanta Fire Chief fired over his biblical views on sexuality, adultery, and homosexuality[1], that makes a well-articulated argument for why this is acceptable. I agree with Mr. Cochran entire rationale except his final conclusion. He is not the first I have heard make this argument. I pray my response is received in the spirit of love, compassion and unity in which I offer it to all who read it.
I identify two statements from his article, “Black Lives Matter? Embracing the proclamation or the organization”[2] to build my response on.
First, Mr. Cochran acknowledges and agrees with the confusion around the message when he states, “The message of the organization is rooted in ideas that have redefined the original pure message of the proclamation.” He continues by recognizing, “The propaganda of the organization asserts: to reject the organization is to reject the proclamation. Those who are true to the proclamation are being forced to embrace the ideology of the organization or face being “canceled.” Like it or not, “cancel” is real in the culture. Therefore, we must clarify the true message.
Second, he goes on to state, “Here’s the point: You do not have to affirm the organization to champion the cause of the proclamation. The proclamation “Black lives matter!” must be distinguished apart from the messaging, methods and values of the organization.” He is right regarding the cause. We should fight for the cause to abolish racism, but that includes opposing this organization that harms it when they claim to help it.
On these two statements in which I stand in agreement with Mr. Cochran, and many others, I build my argument for why the phrase “black lives matter” is not worthy of proclamation.
Surely, one does not have to support the organization in order to champion the (what is given as the original) cause of the proclamation. But is this simply a matter of semantics, an argument of only twisted words? NO. Words have meaning both in what we say and how we use them. When used in specific ways they bear specific meaning, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Honestly, I am surprised to hear this debate so prevalently among preachers of God’s Word; those called to proclaim a message comprised of words and meanings. Words matter. Meaning matters. Word association and the way we use them matters, just as the word “matters” illustrates in this debate. “Matters” remains a relative word that demands definition by point of reference or context for full meaning, even in the mantra; “Black lives matter” according to what or whom? In the proclamation or mantra, it is left open to interpretation from common usage. For Christians, God’s Word determines how all things matter for us. To argue that these words do not matter in this instance convolutes and dissolutes; inevitably highlighting and pointing to (to recommend, support and/or encourage) an organization that is contra-gospel, again whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Yes, as Christians we often use the culture’s words to communicate gospel truths. Faithful contextualization demands we do so and is modeled for us in Scripture.[3] But that doesn’t mean we embrace them as a faithful statement of our message. And using the culture’s words without the opportunity to distinguish, especially as a mantra or hashtag that does not allow for, always tends to mislead more than clarify.
My issue is not with Mr. Cochran, with whom it seems I have very similar agreements in beliefs and convictions regarding this subject. However, beyond “why should we want to”, why WOULD we use words that not only insufficiently state what we need to say, but do more harm than good for the true cause?
My point is this: what we say should rightly declare what we believe and know to be true. We should not use these words because we need not use these words, that cause confusion, division, misdirection, and (often) deception, because in fact these words do not say what we, as Christians, actually believe.
The proclamation “black lives matter” is a mantra that intends to give value to the lives of black people. But it does not do that, and actually strips value from them because of the confusion it creates with the organization. The organization “Black Lives Matter” is a movement that harms and destroys the equality of all black lives because it reduces the glory of God’s creation to man’s sinfulness; making being black as equal to or the same as every other cause the organization embraces. When you embrace this, you undermine the imago dei in black people.
As Christians, it is not our intention to give value to the life of any people, including black people. We can do no such thing. Christians recognize, uphold and defend the value bestowed upon them from God in the imago dei. Our confession should be an accurate expression of our conviction. “Black lives matter” as an acceptable proclamation or mantra for recitation is insufficient because it does not say enough for what we as Christians believe to be true from God about black people. The true cause we defend is this: we hold that all black lives are created by God in His image, and hold the same value, worth and dignity of any and all other persons.
The proclamation “black lives matter” says less than what we know to be true and is insufficient even as a mantra. It diminishes what we actually need to and should intend to say, the true cause for which we should labor. More than simply “matter”, and far more than the proclamation has come to mean, and as Mr. Cochran correctly pointed out, aligning with our Declaration of Independence; black lives are created equal by God.
Call to Action: Clarify the proclamation to confess what we know to be true from God, to recognize what our guiding document as Americans, the Declaration of Independence, states as true, and to say what we believe so we can mean what we say; “Black lives are equal!”
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin_J._Cochran
[2] https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-black-lives-matter-embracing-the-proclamation-or-the-organization/
[3] 1 Cor 15:33; Titus 1:12