I'm sure you took notice of how I wrote those two trios of words at the beginning of the post. One is written as a sentence, and the other is written as a name. One is a phrase. The other is a reference to an organization in the forefront of the cultural discussion at the moment. When asked what I think of this arrangement of words, I need clarity. Do you mean the phrase or the organization?
For some, this seems like splitting hairs because the organization exists to promote the phrase, right? That's a great question! I'll come back to it. For now, let me start with the phrase.
Black lives matter. No faithful, Bible-believing Christian can deny the truth of this statement. Of course, black lives matter. But I'd say it this way: "Every black life matters." It may not seem like much of a difference. And I know it doesn't have the rhythm needed for a peaceful protest chant. But in my mind, it's clearer. It better reflects the Bible's teaching.
Every black life matters.
The life of every black human being innocently taking a jog, walking through his neighborhood wearing a hoodie, or resting in her apartment after working as an EMT matters.
The life of every black human being who breaks the law and requires the intervention of civil authorities to correct and deter future lawbreaking matters.
The life of every black human being who stands trial or who acts as prosecutor or defendant in a trial or who sits in the jury of a trial or who presides over a trial as judge matters.
The life of every black architect matters.
The life of every black construction worker matters.
The life of our only black president thus far matters.
The life of every black teacher matters. Mrs. Henderson, who taught me to love math in 5th grade, matters.
The life of every black, unborn baby matters.
Every black life matters.
Every black life matters because God knit every black human being together in his/her mother's womb. Not as a collection of lives. But each individual life. One by one. Womb by womb. Each one fearfully and wonderfully made. Indeed, God does this with every human being. Every black life matters. Every Asian life matters. Every Latino life matters. Every white life matters. Each one matters because every life matters.
To be clear, some people respond to "black lives matter" with "all lives matter", as if latter is an argument against the former. I'm not arguing against a right emphasis on the fact that every black life matters. I'm seeking to explain why every black life matters. God has created every human being in His image. So, every life matters.
Given my rephrasing, I'm good with the phrase "black lives matter." But that brings me back to the question. Doesn't the organization Black Lives Matter exist to promote the fact that black lives matter? Well, let's think about that.
A quick glance at the "What We Believe" section on the Black Lives Matter website will reveal statements that might lead you to answer "yes." One example is this statement: "We work vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension, all people."
However, mixed in with statements about racial justice, you will find others. Consider these, followed by a brief explanation:
- "We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk..." Also, "We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise)."
- These statements mean that Black Lives Matter is not an organization focused solely on race issues; it is clearly aligning itself with the LGBTQ agenda as well.
- "We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and 'villages' that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable."
- The "Western-prescribed nuclear family structure" (i.e., a father, mother, and their children) is not a "Western" idea at all. It is the biblical pattern of the family. Certainly, God works in all kinds of family situations. However, to disrupt God's way rather than seek to establish and promote it is wrong.
- Click here to check the page out for yourself.
Now, I don't point out these things because I hate LGBTQ individuals, though I know calling any lifestyle sinful or wrong is often assumed to be equivalent to hatred. I also don't point out these things because the nuclear family is an idol we must all worship...far from it! I point out these things because I presume that the Christians who are promoting this organization don't know them. If they did, I hope they wouldn't be asking me to support it or give my money to it.
Someone will say, "Yes, but shouldn't we support Black Lives Matter for doing something good, even if this other stuff comes with it?" Another good question. The simple answer is no. Let me explain why by looking at what it would mean to support two other organizations.
Do you oppose white supremacy? Of course. Do you oppose the abuse of power in government? Of course. Then, why not support Antifa? Because this is the group that resorts to violence to try and accomplish its purposes, and to support it is to try and overcome evil with more evil.
Do you want women to have more affordable testing for breast cancer and cervical cancer? Of course. Then, why not support Planned Parenthood? Because doing mammograms and pap smears can't possibly make up for killing countless babies in the womb.
Dear Christians, it is wrong to champion the cause of those who would tear down biblical truth. So, while we must embrace the truth of the phrase "black lives matter" (i.e., that every black life matters), we must not embrace the organization known as Black Lives Matter.
