The "Jesus" of Black Liberation Theology

Just on today I was listening to a local Radio station by which the Host asked the question, "Is Jesus Black? Or Is this Jesus the Image of a Caucasian of the White European Race?"  What was the image of this Jesus? What Did He Look Like?  Even though it "appears" that there is an interest in the historical Jesus of the Bible but it is a way to to convince others that the Jesus of scripture is not the Savior of the world (contrast, Jn. 3:16, 17).  The history of liberation theology believe in a "Black" Jesus whose purpose is to deliver Black folks from the tyranny and oppression of White domination that have given our forefathers in slavery a "image" of a "White" Jesus by which they are to be in subjugation to white rule and domination.  The historical Jesus of the Bible along with Christianity was taught to our forefathers of slavery that He is the God of the oppress and subservient.  In so many words the whole idea about Christianity is in question while the Oppress is exempt from such treason and tyranny.  The historical Jesus of the Bible is a God of love; not a God of hate by which He marginalized and discriminate against a minority people nor does the Person of Jesus Christ teach men to be superior over others.  Racism, bigotry, fascism, and patriotism is a worldview philosophy that are diametrically oppose to the Christian worldview (Col. 2:8).  Quite unfortunately such "deep" seated misunderstanding and suspicion of Christianity have to this day causes such religious and race war by which society as a whole and the Church at large is paying a dear price for its indifference, neglect, and ignorance.

    What is so striking for people to ask you a question to see if what you say by answering such a question is in compliance to their worldview understanding of what they considered as being the truth.  It is a way to get a person to be in agreement with them based upon "how" they craft the question. It is not a way to show interest in wanting to know the content of biblical truth, but what fit within the framework of their own culture.  Anything that does not fit within the cultural ideology of their worldview is rejected at all cost (2 Pet. 2:2).  

    Throughout this article I will begin to address many of the questions that have been raised by those who wants to know what Jesus look like (i.e. "image") and how does it fit within the Christian worldview.  That is a question of concern concerning those who strongly believe that Jesus was a Black Man.  What is so important is for a people to have a wrong view about the Person of Jesus Christ is to miss eternity in heaven (Jn. 3:36).  It is also important to know that in order to understand the historical Jesus of the Bible is through prophecy, history, and biblical theology.  Christian theism affirm the fact that the historical Jesus of the Bible is the Savior of the world who died for our sins in order to receive the gift of salvation (Jn. 3:16, 17).  The "Black" Jesus of the liberation theology teaches that God is on the side of the oppress so as to deliver a people ("Black" folk) from the oppression of White domination.  There is a vast difference between the God of Christian theism as opposed to the "Black" Jesus of liberation theology. They are both exclusive, but not inclusive.  The history of Gnosticism is to borrow "heavily" from different religious traditions and philosophical belief (e.g. Oriental religion, mysticism) into such syncretism (i.e. "admixture") so as to its consolidation of faiths (1 Tim. 6:20).  It is impossible to mix coke and sprite together and expect to drink the originality of coca cola.  The danger of Gnostics in the professing church today is to straddle both sides of the theological fence to appear that they are in agreement with Christian theism (i.e. "God is one.") in principle, but in practice seek to destroy the faith of the Church and to ruin the moral lives of God's people to introducing an alien "faith" by which it eat away at the superstructure and foundation of the historic Christian church today (2 Tim. 2:16, 17).

    The question (?): "Is it important to know the true Jesus of the Bible or a mixture of both as to the "Black" Jesus of liberation theology?"  There is an attempt within the history of the Black church to preach a "social" gospel as to the liberation of Black folks from the tyranny and oppression of social and economical oppression by the White European culture.  A "marginalized" and disenfranchised race of people especially within the context of African Americans have in fact experienced such ongoing racism within political and judicial system orchestrated by White supremacy.  The Black church is to serve as a social agency as well as it own Black leadership as "Black" Messiahs to serve and speak on the behalf of its own people through Black liberation.  Black liberation theology serves as a bastion of  "community" salvation; not personal faith in Jesus Christ as to the gift of salvation (Rom. 6:23).  Even though there are social and economical ills throughout our society especially within the context of the Black community that "communal" salvation is not the key to solving the spiritual and moral plight of people today (Rom. 5:12-21).  Racism, bigotry, fascism, and patriotism is sinful man prideful heart from "within."  In order to solve the moral plight and dilemma of a sinful heart is through the regenerating power and work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).  

    It is so important that we know the Jesus of the Bible as to the purpose from which Christ came to save the world (Jn. 3:16, 17).  God demonstrated His love towards us as sinners (Rom. 5:8).  And the way by which God demonstrates His love towards us is through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.  Through Christ redemptive work on the cross provided salvation.  Also through believing in Christ a person can receive such divine forgiveness and cleansing of sin.  Sin separates man from God, self, and his fellow man.  Whenever man is alienated from God as a result of his or her own personal sins that they are in opposition of the God of the Bible.  Man is separated from his own self.  The sinfulness of humanity is to make such an excuse by blaming others for taking responsibility of his own moral actions.  As a result of the sinfulness of humanity is man's hostility towards each other.  The issues of crime, corruption, murder, and racism stems from the sinfulness of man's own heart and nature.  It  is the Church's responsibility to share the message of Christ to a lost and dying world that are in need of God's saving grace (Rom. 1:16).  To preach a gospel other than the gospel of Jesus Christ is a false gospel (Gal. 1:8-9).

    There are numerous passages of scripture that liberationist of liberation theology support in its idea of a "Black" Jesus (Rev. 1:14).  This particular passage in Revelation 1 :14 have been interpret literally as to Jesus hair being wool refers to the "Black" Jesus of the liberation theology.  In order to understand the immediate context of scripture is that of its surrounding context.  In so many words we must look at previous and preceding verses to understand the immediate context of scripture. Scripture interprets scripture (1 Cor. 2:13, 14).  The reason for the proliferation of cults and heresies is due to the Church's ignorance of church history and biblical theology.  There are such "radical" groups like The Shrine of the Black Madonna, The Nation of Islam, and The Hebrew Israelite in Atlanta and across the United States who are controversial and questionable in nature especially the Black Man as a representation of this "Black" Jesus.  Such cult groups and organization teach that men are gods (Jn. 10:38) as if they are the true representation of the liberation movement's theology of the "Black" Jesuses of Black liberation theology.  Many alternative and new religious movements explicitly deny Jesus the Christ as God in human flesh in favor of the "Black" Jesus of the "god" of liberation theology (1 Jn. 4:2, 3).  

   The Black church cannot put the cart before the horse in its understanding of the historical Jesus of the Bible also in favor what Jesus look like.  Even though history is very important but in order to establish the lineage of the genealogy of Jesus Christ is through the loins of Abraham's descendants (Matt. 1).  

    It is unfortunate that many who support that of the "Black" Jesus of the liberation theology will sacrifice biblical truth at the altar of both form and textual criticism.  There are many Black historians and theologians who have "rewrote" and "rewritten" that of the history and stories of the Bible to fit within the culture contours of Black liberation theology (2 Pet. 3:16, 17).  The outcome of such biblical distortion are a "confusing" Christology, biblicism, and historical theology.  Liberation theology must be seen for what it truly is: that of clothed in Christian garment steep into such Hellenism (Col. 2:4, 8).

    The Black church today must have such spiritual discernment in spiritually deceptive times (1 Tim. 4:1). In order to avert such a crisis in Christianity is that of a Christ-centered theology whose liberation is to change the most vilest of sinners who are in need of God's saving grace (Rom. 1:16).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller, is founder & Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Church International of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" Darryl is the Radio Host of  "Answer In Focus" Ministries that is aired throughout Atlanta and around the world.  As a apologist, senior researcher/editor and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."