The Great Awakening: Calvinism, Race, Slavery, and Jonathan Edwards
A couple of weeks ago I was engaged in a forum debate surrounding Rev. Jeremiah Wright honoring nation of Islam’s leader Luis Farrakhan. The discussion actually centered around the article at the following site.
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/obamas-mentor-gives-farrakhan-his-award
What was the issue? How can a Christian honor a racist man like Luis Farrakhan? Even though I pointed out that Luis Farrakhan was being honored for his community service in down trodden Black communities, the lynching continued.
I then saw a double standard. The same people ridiculing Rev. Jeremiah Wright for honoring a man who they perceived as an evil racist man (Luis Farrakhan), cherished another man whom was perceived as a not so bad man–the puritan Johnathan Edwards, a man who was a slave owner. A man who was racist. Unfortunately, the revealing of a double standard did not calm the raging mob. They quickly defended their man-of-honor attempting to justify his ownership of slaves. Talk about a double standard!!! see debate here:
http://www.hcr.fm/forum/showthread.php?t=27520&highlight=jeremiah+wright
Now, Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinist. According to Kevin Jackson [ see his blog at http://seekadoo.blogspot.com/2008/03/theology-and-slave-trade-i-was-recently.html] the Calvinism of men like Jonathan Edwards helped them to accept slavery. He says that “Calvinists of the era were more likely to support the institution slavery…” because of their view of God’s sovereignty. The way things are is because God wants them that way thus bringing glory to God (Jackson).
Now in order to be fair about this Jackson’s assessment, you should all know that according to his blog, he is committed to Arminian Theology thus he may have an axe to grind against Calvinists. But besides that, did the Calvinism of the men of that era blind them from seeing the evils of slavery? Any Thoughts? Resources?
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Genetic fallacy. Whether or not Calvinism was used to help “accept” slavery doesn’t make Calvinism wrong. You’re a heretic
concerned - April 3, 2008 at 7:06 am
If I’m hearing you right, you aren’t here trying to knock Calvinism – just raising a potential weakness/flaw into view. Am I off base?
Re: Wright, Farrakhan, and Edwards: I must confess it’s easier to honor Edwards, since he died hundreds of years ago.
I’ve read/heard only a little of his work, and it disgusted me. But yet he’s had a powerful influence, I think many times a good influence, on America in times past.
I’m wondering – why not honor each of these men for their good contributions, and acknowledge and learn from their mistakes?
Eugene - April 3, 2008 at 10:22 am
Yes Eugene. You are hearing me right. I am not knocking Calvinism which is why the previous comment is inapplicable. And, if I was , that would not make me a heretic. (looking confused about that comment). What I am doing is looking at Calvinists and Calvinism in the era of American slavery and raising questions about what happens when both are combined (the Calvinist and Calvinism). Lets be real, Calvinists today did not think like Calvinists did in the Colonial Era. Clearly all Calvinists do not think like the Calvinists who created apartheid in South Africa. Today I doubt that Calvinists would own slaves. I hope I am wrong.
To Concerned: A Genetic Fallacy is when you reject an argument, a thing, etc, because of it’s origin. If I was committing a genetic fallacy I would be saying something like this: Calvinism is false because Jonathan Edwards was a Racist. That was not an argument that I made.
cdero - April 3, 2008 at 11:39 am
No, but that’s the inference you make with this type of post.
Besides…. if it’s opposite was so appealing to folks, why did we end up multiple black methodist denominations ? Oh yeah…I forgot… the Methodists in the 1800’s ALSO didn’t want n*ggers in spiritual charge over them.
You need a clue.
also concerned - April 3, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I fail to see the genetic Fallacy. Where did I imply that Calvinism was false because Jonathan Edwards was a racist? BTW, I’m a Calvinist if you was to judge me theologically. Just not a dogmatic one.
cdero - April 3, 2008 at 4:34 pm
this is something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately – I came here via a search on the topic…. especially since working at a mid-west christian college that has a very calvinistic slant –
I was appalled at how many students – who embraced calvinism – failed to see any reason the church should see it’s responsibility for the injustice of slavery and the generations of ensuing racism that has resulted in a socially and racially divided world
- “why?” they argued “should we “repent” or take responsibility… when everything that happens is God’s will…. he foreordained it for his glory and so we and our ancestors are absolved of responsibility past or present – and all people are in the situation they are in – not because of injustice or sin of others – but because GOD hath so ordered it – I need not feel responsibility to help those with less – because they have less and I have more was Gods perfect plan for the world…..”
to me this is a christianized form of karma and not at all the Gospel of Jesus Christ – I know it doesn’t even represent the work of John Calvin – but nevertheless this is a perversion I find common among those called calvinists…. who also feel their wealth and privilege is a sign of blessing – not as a call to responsibility
marQue - September 23, 2008 at 12:33 am
Thanks for sharing this.I think you got it right.
cdero - September 23, 2008 at 10:53 am
I too ended up at this site while doing some research on Jonathan Edwards; I’m suprised that we would even try to make a comparison between an ideology, which was acceptable in those days (colonial era); not saying that it was right, because it wasn’t; and Wright or Farrakhan who lives in a day where their toxic views are only meant to keep a wounded spirit festering. In my view, one is complete ignorance caused by ones selfishness and blindedness (Edwards) and the other is just utter hate (Wright and Farrakhan). I have been reading the autobiography of Fredrick Douglas, and can tell you that Fredrick Douglas would be ASHAMED of Wright and Farrakhan and their hate.
Also, I would like to say this about Farrakhan being “honored” for his community work…so is the Hamas “honored” for there community work; but we can all agree that the Hamas is nothing short of a TERRORIST group!
Joanne - May 25, 2009 at 9:47 am
Calvinism is biblical, racism is not. If a Calvinist is racist, he being unfaithful to the scriptures.
Ben Mordecai - June 14, 2009 at 4:45 pm