Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Rhetoric Race and Religion

Home
Progressive Christian
The In-Between Time

The In-Between Time

Last updated on: March 10, 2015 at 1:57 pm by Guest Contributor

The In-Between Time 2015-03-10T13:57:00-05:00 Guest Contributor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

by Renita Marie
R3 Contributor

First published at the Holy Week of Resistance

I never really imagined myself as a protester before Ferguson. Oh, sure I could always be counted on to make some noise about issues and press for progress—but hold a sign, chant or march? Well, I just never considered it.

When I stood on the street in Ferguson, I had an overwhelming sense of being in the presence of evil. We were under siege by what Paul called in Ephesians 6:10 “principalities and powers and rulers of wickedness in high places.”

On the streets we were met with the symbols of the rulers of wickedness: military tanks, riot gear, guns and dogs. The powers created an atmosphere of terror, intentionally causing police and people to fear each other.

Evil was present in full force.

As the people protested the system with chants and jeers the system sent police to protest the people with weapons and power.

I went to Ferguson to pray. I stayed to stand in the gap between heaven and hell.

I protested Satan.

Jesus protested Satan too.

Jesus protested economic disparities when he multiplied the two fish and five loaves.

Jesus protested religion that exploited the poor when he turned over tables in the temple.

Jesus protested sexism and racism when he spent time with the Samaritan woman at the well.

Jesus protested all forms of evil when he laid down his life for his friends.

“You are my friends if you do what I have commanded you—love one another.”

Show me what theology looks like. THIS is what theology looks like!

In recent months many injustices have been inescapably exposed as young people have demonstrated that they love their own lives and the lives of their generation. They are demanding the right to live in this world without the constant terror of annihilation.

They ripped the hood off our country’s oppressive structure.

Hey, hey! Ho, ho! These racist folks have got to go!

As Holy Week approaches, it is neither the Crucifixion nor the Resurrection that weighs on my spirit—it is the in-between time.

Our scriptures record a story of Jesus plunging into the cavity of the universe where he (depending on interpretation) either fought evil hand to hand or preached liberty to the captives or both. Whatever the case, we skip over Holy Saturday—the in-between time.

We love the story of the cross, from a distance of 2000 years. The cross gives us a sense of peace—we don’t have to suffer the eternal consequences of our temporal sins.

Similarly, we love the story of the Resurrection. The Resurrection gives us a sense of religious elitism—our God is not dead or in any temple made by human hands.

The in-between time story, however causes a fair amount of confusion, nervousness and discomfort. What do we do with that?

We’ve got to fight back! Fight back! Fight back!

Essentially, Christianity was born out of protest against evil. The Faith was defended with a deep and abiding love for humankind.

Sadly, the Church Militant has lost its militant edge. Even though we sing battle songs like “I am on the Battlefield for My Lord” and “I’m a Soldier in the Army of the Lord” “Battle Hymn Republic” and “Onward Christian Soldiers” few preachers approach the topic Spiritual Warfare. This is not so surprising considering many in the pews resist messages that seem “violent.”

People seem to come to church to be comforted and encouraged more so than challenged

and stirred. This, too, is not so surprising. People fight battles daily in their personal life—they count on church being a break from the battle.

It is OUR duty to fight for OUR freedom….

While we are distracted by our individual battles, systemic injustices grow stronger.

Christianity, by design, was about creating a community where like-minded believers cared for each other, encouraged each other and protected each other.

Early believers suffered and died in their protests against evil out of love for us all. Early believers knew that the movement was bigger than they—I wonder if they had any idea that we would remember them throughout history?

Show me what community looks like. THIS is what community looks like

So, here we are approaching yet another Holy Week.

While we commemorate the suffering of Christ on Calvary and rejoice in the Resurrection, we must consider the in-between time.

We are yet in the in-between time—Jesus came and He’s coming again. In this in-between time, we must actively engage in the battle against evil. The role of the Church is to do what Jesus did. Jesus gives us the power and authority to protest evil like he did—and greater.

The injustices of our system are multi-facetted and require a multi-tactical approach. In other words, it takes all of us—there’s something for everyone to do.

How will you protest Satan? How will you spend the in-between time?

More at:

http://www.renitamarie.com

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-renita-marie-mdiv/

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 10, 2015

Welcome to R3: Renita Marie

Next Post

March 23, 2015 Call for Papers: Understanding Rhetoric(s) of Race

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Amy Steele Andre E. Johnson Book Reviews/Series Brian Foulks Call for Chapters Carol Howard Merritt Classes Conferences Contributors Crystal St.Marie Lewis Daniel White Hodge Earle Fisher Eulogy Fredrick Robinson Guest Contributions Henry McNeal Turner Institutes Interviews Joseph Boston Katherine Whitfield Kimberly Peeler-Ringer Lectures/Roundtables Natalie Bullock Brown R3 Book Series R3 Contributor Rashad Grove Readers Reflections Symposiums Teaching Traci Ellis Travis Harris Uncategorized Video

Select a Month June 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 October 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz