Weep and Wail

[Josh]

Originally posted 2020:

Dear White Christian sisters and brothers:


Chilling words. Timeless truth. Don’t get caught in comparing exact details to 2020. I’m not trying to be overly apocalyptic. Just hear it for what James, the brother of Jesus, was saying about the relationship between the wealthy and the poor and the way economic sins eventually have to be paid for:




Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

James 5:1-6 

[gregory]

Why is this directed to White people? Is this not a universal? How are middle eastern christians, asian christians, and messianic jewish christians not more in need of this message, as I have seen, their populations desperately need healing from the warping worldly success has brought.

[Josh]

Of course in it's original context it was universal, and still is. But the context for me in 2020 (and still today) is white evangelicals unwilling to see how they have benefitted and continue to benefit from historical and contemporary American injustices.

[gregory]

I don't see this passage as applying to a race of people as a whole, but a class. Specifically, those that run businesses and have people under their authority in a management position. It is talking about an active injustice done to those you know, an active injustice that can be identified, ie. The ability to say something like "Here is the unjust act. You personally did it at this time, and here are the effects."

As to the concern for racial disparities and the healing of society: James 1:27, Isaiah 1:16-17, Deuteronomy 10:18, Zechariah 7:9-10 to list a few. There is a transformation of our lives that needs to take place. This occurs through personal relationships and descipleship, both the healing of the victim, and the healing of the victimizer.

As for casting aspersions on all of white evangelicals, I will say that as a whole, in my personal life, being an evangelical is one of the biggest red flags I look for in an employer, as they regularly abuse and take advantage of their employees.