Stop !!! In the name of the law BY: KB © 3.12.15

There is probably nothing bigger, more divisive more tolerated or more widespread in the Christian world than the sin of legalism. I know some of you are clutching your pearls to see me it labeled it and call it out as a sin. People who practice legalism are thought to be a bit overzealous or “uptight,” but they aren't usually thought of as sinning in the same sense as adulterers, thieves, liars, and the like. To the contrary, legalists seem to be concerned about holiness. Legalists tend to refer to themselves as righteous and become so pompous and pious that they are no Earthly good!

I’m bringing this topic up for two reasons:

1)      Many of you watch the show Empire. I refused to watch it early on because I just wasn't feeling the hip-hop soundtrack. I hate what rap has become…but that’s not germane to the point I’m trying to make.  I want to highlight a connection between a couple of characters Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Jamal (Jussie Smollett) ….the relationship between the two characters best illustrate the relationship between gays and the Black church. The church loves you as a choir member, a choir director, a praise dancer, an usher…any position of servitude but do not dare to say that you’re called in any capacity….then you’re an abomination! You are loved when you’re relegated to a second class citizen. You are loved as long as you stay at the kids table…but you are an unwelcome guest at the welcome table.

This leads me to my second point…..I know I’m going to hear and feel some things behind this post but I have to challenge some static and staid thinking. Please note….I AM NOT CHANGING ANYTHING ABOUT THE GOSPEL…..I’M CHALLENGING THINKING ABOUT APPLICATION!
2) I was born into a Baptist family and learned, embraced and applied Baptist doctrine to my faith walk for many years…but I began to question some of what I was hearing from the pulpit when I heard one Pastor preach a very thinly veiled message with a segregationist point of view (this is in the 80’s y’all). I had just moved to Cali and I was living in a little farm community…culture shock on so many levels, coming from NY and living with cows and cowboys. I sought refuge in the church. I heard more “nigger” jokes or jokes about race at the church than I ever heard on the streets of NY.  I can also remember a few AIDS jokes and sermons. While people were sick and dying I’m hearing about Sodom and God’s retribution from the pulpit….not once did I hear about loving, caring and helping.

Where am I going with this? Well, I’ll share….my former Pastor, who I love dearly, was invited to speak at a Baptist function and now there’s a move to rescind the invitation because they feel she’s a threat to “family values” because she’s a same gender loving person.  Can I say …get the heck out of here?!!! Now, I can say that in order to even invite Dr. Flunder you had to have someone who knew of her, her background and her theological perspective. Let’s keep it 100% honest and transparent….there are a few members who wield $’s and a form of legalism that you aren't willing to take on for the sake of “keeping a tenuous peace”  until something else makes the legalism list rather than follow the scriptures and teachings of Christ “come let us reason together – Isaiah 1:18”

Now, I have been approached by the many factions of the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Sanhedrin in discussion on the validity of my faith, calling and purpose….I let them talk and continue on in my faith, my purpose and calling…..I’m not going to enter into a conversation with someone who is not willing to converse. My time here is accounted for and I don’t get rollover minutes for nonsense.

Just remember y’all   1 Corinthians 13:1     If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.