Greeting: Beyond Racial Reconciliation
Emmanuel Katongole
23 Oct. 2012
Christian worship is a resource for Christians to unlearn race and resist racism.
On Discovering Race: A Personal Story. The author discovers what race means in the west when he comes to the US from Uganda (where black is just an adjective).
The Consolation of Philosophy. Philosophy can give theoretical reasons why race became an issue, but no practical hep in getting to a culture which is "beyond race".
Theology and Racial Reconciliation. White theologians have been largely silent on the subject of race. Theological discussions for race have generally focused on "racial reconciliation". If you assume that race is a natural category, that is all one can hope for. The author asserts that race is not a natural category and that is required is a different story and set of practices that do not assume racial identity. Christian worship provides a unique community where the idea of race and racism should be challenged.
Christian Worship as a "Wild Space". Sunday morning is still highly segregated. The idea of a "wild space" in one that allows—encourages—Christians to think differently, to imagine and embody different ways of living.
On Being Greeted in the Name of the Trinity. An example of church that takes greeting seriously.
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Beyond Modern Anthropology. Current theories assume racism and hence speak of reconciliation or tolerance. But the problem with that it just extends power to others without questioning why racism exists.
The Performance of a Christian Anthropology. The greeting at the start of the service announces that Christians are gathered to receive and not provide love and forgiveness. <And all this time, I thought it was just a handshake and a few words.>
A Christian Ethics. In its purest form, worship does not enable racial reconciliation; worship is a whole new reality where racism makes no sense.
Beyond Docetism: On "Touching Color".
Conclusion. Worship and specifically the greeting, can help us to see we are not strangers competing for limited resources, but we all gifts of a generous God.