Top Five Posts for the Week of October 19-25, 2013

Last updated on: October 25, 2013 at 9:21 am by Guest Contributor

Top Five Posts for the Week of October 19-25, 2013 2013-10-25T09:21:00-05:00 Guest Contributor

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Here are the top five posts from Rhetoric Race and Religion this week. To contribute to R3, click here.

Number 1

The Forgotten Preacher: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner

by Andre E. Johnson

R3 Editor

Henry McNeal Turner, the first black chaplain in the Union Army and one of the most prominent religious and political leaders of Civil War era black America, was born a free black on Feb. 1, 1834, in New Berry Court House, S.C. Turner was the oldest child of Hardy Turner and Sarah Greer Turner, and while we do not know much about Turner’s other siblings, we do know that Turner’s father died while he was still young. Even though born as a free person, Turner still experienced the harsh reality of prejudice and racism; he worked in cotton fields alongside enslaved people as well as in a blacksmith shop under some of the harshest overseers.

Number 2

New Book: Courage Under Fire: Guarding the Romantic Flame from Life’s Fiery Issues

Rev. Dr. Eugene Gibson, Senior Pastor at the Olivet Fellowship Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, has published his first book, Courage Under Fire. The book is a collection of inspiring messages that will help those in married and single relationships guard the romantic flame against the fiery issues of life. Focusing on God’s power of love and healing, this collection of sermons will help people endure and overcome life’s toughest challenges. When people speak about keeping the flame of a couple’s relationship lit, hardly ever do they discuss the fires of life. No one mentions the fact that the flames of hurt, pain, heartbreak, addiction, pornography, infidelity, baby mama drama, illness, and the like are smoldering close by.

Number 3

Is The #BlackChurch Ready for the #PreachersofLA?-Pt.2

By Kimberly Peeler-Ringer

R3 Contributor

Needless to say, it was a bit awkward to see such a wordsmith as Bishop Noel Jones apparently forget that “no” is both a complete sentence and a viable option when it comes to his zealous female fans. But there were other challenges I had with the pilot episode as well. Bishop McClendon’s exegesis of 3 John 1:2 stands out in particular, as well as the subtle suggestion that having expensive material possessions is an indicator of God’s favor. The pilot episode showcased a discussion among the preachers about whether their messages could be construed as “prosperity preaching” and whether or not they should ask for honorariums up front. This conversation took place in the “man cave” (the man cave is actually the former home of Bishop Ron Gibson and his wife LaVette, who have apparently outgrown the place. It is now the meeting space for the preachers to discuss their issues). I am not a fan of the prosperity message, or any message, where God’s favor falls in one direction. Show me a church where everybody has a Bentley and a private jet, and then we can talk about it. I do not believe that wealth is the measuring stick of God’s blessings, favor, or presence in a believer’s life.

Number 4

Is The #BlackChurch Ready for the #PreachersofLA?-Pt.1

by Kimberly Peeler-Ringer

R3 Contributor

Just a quick temperature taking of my social media portals confirmed what I suspected would happen when the Oxygen Network’s new reality show, Preachers of LA made its debut: there would be some very strong opinions about this show. You cannot have a reality show about Black male preachers with a Pentecostal feel and flair without also triggering a flurry of comments ranging from “I am too dignified to watch it” to “they are corrupting the Gospel message and shaming the church” and everything in between. I knew there would be some who would be quick to pull out the game board and pieces for the very popular game some Black believers play called “I’m a Better Christian Than You.”

Number 5

Ja Rule On Finding God At Hillsong Church

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