Glory Road: Black, Reformed, But Foremost Christian

[W]e are first and last children of God. It means that when you see one of us, you see a black man. But when you hear one of us, you hear a Christian man. It means that Christ is our Lord. It means we are daily seeking to understand our African-American [or African] experience in light of the lordship of Christ. It means that we are nothing apart from the grace of God, and that God has created us who we are--to live during the times in which we live that we might show forth his mercies, while he is daily conforming us to the image of his dear Son. It means that our service--yes, our worship and allegiance--is not first to the black cause, though noble it may be at times. It is not first to the Reformed cause, though grand it may appear to be. It means that our service is to Christ first and last, now and at all times. If we can serve Christ while sincerely serving an African-American [or African] cause, then let us do it. If we can serve Christ while promoting a Reformed agenda, then by all means let us do so. But if Christ is in conflict with the black clause or the Reformed agenda at any point or at any time, then may we have the courage to say, "Away with the blackness and away with Reformedness--give us Jesus and Jesus only." It means that we must understand that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life that we might vote, but Christ gave his life that we might live. Frederick Douglas gave his life that we might be free from slavery, but Christ gave his life that we might be set free from slavery to sin and death.

We are black; there is no mistaking that. We are Reformed, and make no mistake about that. But these two distinctions have relevance only insofar as they are understood in light of the fact that we are Christian. C.H. Spurgeon said, "I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what my creed is, I reply, 'It is Jesus Christ.'"

We are proud to be Americans. We are equally proud to be African-Americans. We even more thank God that our theology is the biblically grounded, historically consistent theology of the Reformation. But if you ask us our faith, if you ask us our creed, if you want the sum of our lives: It is Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ.

We pray that it would be yours as well.

Soli Deo Gloria!

--Anthony J. Carter (editor), Glory Road: The Journeys of 10 African-Americans into Reformed Christianity,p. 174-175

Heavenly Father, I thank You again for each of these dear brothers. For how different their stories are and yet how similar. For how I can see something of my own journey on this road of glory in each of their own. Thank You for the tears. Thank You for the laughter. Above all, thank You that in infinite and undeserved mercy You have opened the eyes of our hearts through many pains and sorrows to see the infinitely brightly shining light of the gospel of the glory of the majestic and sovereign God in the mesmerizingly beautiful face of Jesus Christ. For the sake of Your name, I pray that You would bring many more to walk the glory road, American, African-American, African, from all peoples, far as the curse is found, unto the ends of the earth. For Jesus' beautiful name I pray, Amen.