I’d like to introduce myself before jumping into one of the hottest topics in the world/church today. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and believe that the Bible holds the key to a blessed life with Christ here on earth, and it also holds the key to eternal life, Jesus. Through Jesus, we can have FULL forgiveness of our mistakes, no matter what we have done or who we are!
I have a family that I thank God for each day: Nichole is my wife, and we have 4 precious children. I have the privilege of pastoring a faithful church in Southside, VA, and I consider it a joy to do so.
I am writing you today to warn you and encourage you at the same time. You can find the message I preached here. You can also find the video of me addressing the church about Critical Race Theory here. In the following excerpt, you will see my notes in the CRT discussion, and I hope it helps you grasp the danger of CRT and encourages you with the appropriate Christian response.
“It is best described by three principles that I received from Dr. Voddie Baucham. These points and most of this content came from Dr. Voddie and “White Fragility.”
#1: Racism is normal
In other words, EVERYTHING is racist. Robin DeAngelo wrote a book titled: “White Fragility” This book has been cited thousands of times in peer review journals. For you academics out there, you know that is a huge deal. Basically, what we learn in this book is this: Don’t ask whether racism occurred, but rather how it manifests itself here in America.
Have you heard about the 1619 project?
We know that America was founded and declared a Nation in 1776. However, there is a very respectable group in academia that is pushing the 1619 project. 1619 is the first year that African slaves were brought into America. Critical Race Theory wants to define America by 1619, not 1776.
#2: Convergence Theory
Richard Delgato wrote a book titled “Critical Race Theory”: “Large segments of society have little incentive to eradicate racism.” “whites are incapable of righteous acts on race.” Only when it benefits a white person do they not act racist. Basically, white people are incurably racist. Whites are in essence condemned by their melanin count.
#3: Anti-Liberalism
CRT questions legal reasoning, equality theory, enlightenment rationalism. In other words, common sense is no longer is the way to factual data. Knowledge is socially constructed. There is no such thing as objective truth. CRT wants to destroy the family unit. This is Marxist at its core. If you want to break down and deconstruct the culture, break down the family. This way, children are not raised in traditions that are passed down so effectively. No Bible studies about racism or reconciliation; that’s white privilege. The only way to truth is through “conversations” The experience of the marginalized is Gospel. This is the summary of Robin Deangelo’s book, White Fragility:
1. You can’t win
2. You can’t get even
3. You can’t get out of the game
This is the truth for whites in Critical Race Theory. I will briefly touch on why this is vital for you to know. Your children are being influenced right now by schools, social media, and friends. I want to acknowledge our local School Board Superintendent, Paul Nichols. I thank God for him, those under him, and our teachers and administrators here. You are on the front lines, and it will not be easy in the years to come.
If you think CRT isn’t a big deal, I beg you to see otherwise.
If CRT takes hold of you or your child’s mind, you will not see Jesus for who He is in the Scripture.
You will see yourself as an unchangeable socially constructed being that God has no power over.
CRT wants to define the Nation and the people in it by their past.
The Gospel defines people by who they are in Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:17-19: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
Friends, respond to this in the right way. Do not respond with anger and hostility but with love and compassion.
1 Peter 3:15-16: 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.
We are in a battle for truth. Our truth is the truth in this text. The Holy Spirit is more powerful than CRT or our feelings toward it.
Be the people of love that God calls us to be and boldly stand on the Word. Guard your hearts and the hearts of your children. Show people Jesus by the way you react to this.”
Doulos,
Chet Bergeron
Chet Bergeron is the Lead Pastor of Buffalo Baptist Church. Chet is married to Nichole, and they have four children. Chet loves to run, encourage Christians in the Word.
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Chet Bergeronhttps://buffalobaptistchurch.org/author/buffalobaptist/
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Chet Bergeronhttps://buffalobaptistchurch.org/author/buffalobaptist/
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Chet Bergeronhttps://buffalobaptistchurch.org/author/buffalobaptist/
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Chet Bergeronhttps://buffalobaptistchurch.org/author/buffalobaptist/
