Once again protests have erupted throughout university campuses in South Africa. This time regarding fee increases at tertiary institutions. At Wits University, this started about a week ago, and has now spread to other campuses including UCT, which I stay close to and am an alumni of.
As a young black African I have my views and biases on these issues, and you too most likely have your own views and biases. Having a viewpoint or even being biased is not necessarily a bad thing (as long as we are willing to admit it). However these viewpoints/biases become dangerous if it is not coupled with the truth. Now truth can come in the form of facts (as you learn more) but one thing we also believe as Christians is that the ultimate truth is found in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Henceforth lies my argument. If we know that arguments or viewpoints without the foundation of truth are dangerous, and we believe we have the ultimate truth, should we not then, at this time, when viewpoints are clashing within this nation, amplify the voice of truth on these very issues even more?!
Edmund Burke is known for the famous phrase: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Which begs the question, If we believe we have the ultimate good (in Jesus living in us) should we not therefore shed his light on these very issues; should we not therefore engage them fervently?
This giving the reason why I wrote this blog. When the church fails to herald the voice of truth into these issues, these issues don't die down. Rather they take on the voices of whoever is willing to herald them. But without truth as a foundation, like adding too much fuel to the fire, that which is meant to bring warmth to all, will end up destroying all.
Only the gospel can sufficiently deal with the issues we are facing now as South Africa. Only in the gospel do we find a solution that doesn't minimise or neglect the struggles of the marginalised or the minority, and yet at the same time does not so exalt them to a place that suggests they are better than the privileged or majority for "All have sinned, and fallen short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
At the root, the issues we face now are not primarily ‘privileged vs the marginalised’ or ‘black/in between vs white’ issues. At its root, this is a sin issue, where we all desire self-worship rather than worshipping God. Where we look to our own interest rather than the interests of others. This is not a problem with “those privileged/ignorant/white” people (from a “black” person's perspective) nor is it an issue with “those ungrateful/lazy/black people” (from a “white” person’s perspective) [ Do note:- I am generalizing. Please see comment below] . THIS IS A HUMAN RACE PROBLEM. And until we come to see this and get it - that is, that I am as bad as the person I condemn (in fact, most likely worse - see Luke 6), and if there is any good in me it is not because I know more or am better, but because its a work of grace in my life. Until we really get this reality I am convinced any supposed progress we make (whether it's in support of the privilege or the marginalise) will eventually implode on itself.
The Bible declares all men equal; not putting one race, or social class above the other (Galatians 3:26-29. Eph 2). In a sense the Bible calls us to create communities where all can be all that God created them to be. Martin Luther King Jr, speaking along those lines, said: "I always contended that we as a race [the Negro] must not seek to rise from a position of disadvantage to one of advantage, but to create a moral balance in society where democracy and brotherhood would be a reality for all men." Or similarly, in the words of Nelson Mandela: “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.” This is the society we should aim to create and this is the vision the early church had, as Dr Luke recounts: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Act 2:44-47)
If we don't declare this message as the Church; this message that embodies the ultimate truth, this gospel message, that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, and that Christ came and died for our sins; if we don’t herald it in these current issues, I fear another message will be heralded among the nations. One in which condemnation, subtle hatred and hostility will be the underlying fumes that keep it going. If we fail to speak, I fear our voices will be drowned in the seas of irrelevancy.
Note on black/white perspective from above:-
Not all white people think black people are lazy and ungrateful, and not all black people think white are ignorant. And this is not just a black vs white thing, I am using it generically to represent different views.
