Rev. Jeremiah Wright is Wrong

While there has been a lot of furor over the comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, few of his statements slapped me across the face so much as an assertion he made before the National Press Club. When Wright suggested that an attack against him and his positions was really an attack against the black church, I was astounded.

First, I could not believe the arrogance of such a statement! Jeremiah Wright may be a very public person. He may be a prominent person. But he is NOT the summation of Christendom among blacks in America. The idea is outlandish! No one person can lay claim to that role.

Second, there is more than one predominantly black denomination in America. National Baptist churches, African Methodist Episcopal churches, Church of God in Christ churches, and numerous others all make up different Christian denominations with predominantly black memberships. So, there is not even one denomination that speaks for all Christians who are black in this country.

Third, the denomination of which Jeremiah Wright is a part is not even predominantly black. It is true that the congregation he pastored is made up almost entirely of black members. However, the United Church of Christ denomination at large has far more non-black members than black members.

Fourth, I would assert there is no Black Church (with a capital "C") in America or anywhere in the world. Yes, there are black churches (with a lowercase "c"). But, it is a precept of mainstream Christian theology that there is but one universal Church, and it encompasses people who are from all races and nationalities.

Fifth, while I know many Christians who are black, I don't personally know any who would join Jeremiah Wright in saying, "God damn America." Jeremiah Wright did not consult with them. Rev. Wright does not speak for them.

Rev. Wright is wrong! An attack against Jeremiah Wright and his positions is an attack against him individually. He should stop trying to drag other people into his battles.

That's Wade's two cents.

Wade Houston
May 11, 2008