Celebration versus Confession

Nehemiah 9 On July 8, 2017about fifty members of the Loyal White Knights of the KKK demonstrated in Charlottesville, North Carolina. They protested the city’s plan to remove a stature of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a park. The city has plans to reduce the number of Confederate monuments in the city. There were counter-protesters demanding that the KKK go home. There were many injuries and at least one death. This incident ignited once again the debate about statures and monuments of prominent leaders of the Confederacy on display in the south. For most African Americans these statures are a reminder of slavery, and they are a symbol that those who believe in white supremacy still intend to keep white people at the top of American society, and at the same time keep non whites in their place at the bottom of American society. At the same time, there are many white Americans that denounce the display of statues that honor past leaders of the Confederacy because they hope for a united people with equal status regardless of race, color, or creed. Those who support the display of the statures deny that the statures are symbols of slavery. Instead, they are symbols to honor the history of America. It is not my purpose to try to convince anyone to take any position of political persuasion in this debate that continues to this day. Instead, I want to argue what I believe should be the response of the Christian church. The Christian church must come to grips with the celebration of these historical figures in light of biblical teachings. Should Christians honor their ancestors? Before we answer this question let us consider this truth. There is a difference between acknowledging the life of one’s ancestors as opposed to a celebration of what one’s ancestors stood for. Can one honor the memory of one’s ancestors and at the same time acknowledge that their ancestors were wrong in doing what they did? The book of Nehemiah provides us some insights to our questions. The book of Nehemiah is an account of the Israelites that have returned from their captivity in Babylon back to their homeland in Jerusalem and Judah. Nehemiah is the cup bearer for King Artaxerxes of Persia. He hears that the Jews are in “great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire” (Neh. 1:3, NASB). Immediately, Nehemiah prays. In his prayer, Nehemiah prays for the people confessing that the Lord is God and he is praying for the Israelites that are living in Jerusalem. Nehemiah prays saying “Let your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statures, nor ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses” (vv. 6-7, NASB). Let us look at Nehemiah’s prayer. First, Nehemiah does not seek to justify the sinful acts of the forefathers. Rather, he confesses that their actions were a violation of God’s laws. Now, when people insist that they are honoring these American heroes are they not refusing to acknowledge that their actions were sin that violate God’s commandments? Do the white supremacists believe that the institution of slavery in America was ordained and justified by God? Does the notion of white supremacy or the supremacy of any group agree with God’s laws and the teachings of Jesus Christ? The white supremacists and other groups that make themselves superior to other people, regardless of the reasons, in this country refuse to acknowledge what God has declared. Allow the apostles Peter and Paul to speak to this question. In Acts 10 Peter is a Jew. Jews do not enter the house of a Gentile. Peter has a dream and receives messengers to go to the house of a Roman centurion named Cornelius who believes in the God of the Jews. Peter goes to Cornelius’ house as commanded and Cornelius invites Peter into his house to “hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord” (Acts 10:33, NASB). Notice carefully what Peter says. “Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him”’ (v. 34). So, how can we honor people who violate God’s commands? Are we not compelled to let go of past traditions and practices and conform to the teaching of Jesus? In the book of Romans Paul addresses the issue of equality of all people before God. In Romans 1 Paul tells us about the sins of the Gentiles. In chapter two, Paul says that the Jews have the Law, but they violate the Law. Thus, Jews stand guilty before God just as the Gentiles do. Paul says, “But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God” (Rom. 2:3, NASB)? Paul says, “For there is no partiality with God” (v. 11). Let us return to the book of Nehemiah. After hearing about the sad affairs in Jerusalem, Nehemiah receives permission from the king to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. In chapter seven the walls are completed. In chapter eight the scribe, Ezra, reads from the book of the Law and the Levites “explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place” (8:7). After hearing what is written in the book of the Law the people confessed their sins (9:3). When we read chapter nine we discover that the people do not honor their ancestors. Rather, they acknowledge the sins of their fathers and the faithfulness of God. The people confess that their future well being is determined by their obedience to God; not to the honoring of their fathers. This truth applies not to white supremacists alone. Rather, this applies to all Christians. So, here is the central question. As Christians, are we to honor our ancestors, or should we learn from the mistakes, sins, and failures of our ancestors? Do we acknowledge their sins, confess our own sins and learn God’s ways and obey the teachings of Jesus? The answer to these questions are found in the two great commands that God spoke to the Israelites in the Old Testament and confirmed by Jesus in the New Testament. The first commandment says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second commandment is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Since God shows no partiality, Christians cannot love God and refuse to love their neighbor. In conclusion Christians should not celebrate and honor the sins of their fathers. Instead they are to confess the sins of their fathers and their own sins.