You’d have to live under an enormous rock to not be aware of the recent furore over the value of black lives. As with most controversies, the disagreement has generated much heat but very little light. The careless use of words and the alacrity by which bad news travels on the internet have only further muddled the issue. And as we speak, it’s difficult to see whether the dust has settled and what, if any problem, has been resolved.
Thankfully, the Bible is not silent about the matter and it has much to say about justice. In fact, our judicial system and much of Western society was shaped by Biblical principles, and the benefits to society have largely been due to the equity that is foundational to our law system. Indeed an appreciation of history is also key to the concerns we face, else, as in Santayana’s sentiments, we be those who are doomed to repeat history because of our ignorance of it.
As a way of helping to think critically about these issues, I will be conducting an online seminar on 22nd October 2020 about justice in conjunction with the North Cotswolds Gospel Partnership. Details will be forthcoming soon through the church office and website. I look forward to seeing you then.
Helkias Mapimhidze (Curate)