What people, what nation builds monuments to gypsies, lesbians and Jews? The country that had the power to rule the world—Germany. In an incredibly redemptive turn, Germany has not only publicly acknowledged the atrocities of the Holocaust, it has also set out to embed cultural markers of confession and repentance by erecting monuments to the gypsies, lesbians and Jews that were murdered during the Holocaust.
It seems that white Evangelical churches have a lot to learn from the Germans. Instead of taking defensive postures regarding discrimination or abuse of minorities, what if the Church publicly repented and sought a more redemptive, love-driven engagement with American indians, homosexuals, and African-Americans? To be sure, many evangelical churches have done this, but it has not become mainstream practice. The gospel of Christ has not so infiltrated our churches that we live redemption and reconciliation, not just preach it. Here’s to monument-building to the oppressed, downcast, and broken-hearted!
Read the NYTimes article.
