…who’s the blackest of them all?

You can dredge up the horrors of American slavery. You can keep stirring the Jim Crow pot, constantly reminding everyone how horrible it was that a country forcibly segregated its citizens by race and discriminated against blacks because they were black. You can wail and gnash teeth all day long, wallowing in abject bitterness because others have more than you do: looks, money, influence, opportunity, or whatever.

But you cannot, even if you lived 1,000 lifetimes, make a coherent and logically sound argument in favor of racial discrimination in the other direction. Nothing, not even the most heinous act committed against a black person by our government, justifies discriminating against other races in favor of blacks.

Let me put it this way: I have yet to read or hear a coherent and logically sound argument in favor of so-called reverse discrimination. Perhaps one exists. If you’ve read or heard such an argument, do let me know.

This post was inspired by a blogger I met last summer, John Rosenberg, who blogs about racial discrimination. John is just as anti-skin color preferences as I am. He picked apart a pro-skin color preferences editorial in the Muskogee Phoenix, a community newspaper in Oklahoma.

As you may recall, Ward Connerly, of the American Civil Rights Institute, is trying to get anti-preferences language on the November ballot in several more states, including Oklahoma. Connerly spearheaded successful campaigns in California (54 percent voted against government race preferences), Washington state (58.3 voted against), and Michigan (58 percent voted against).

The unnamed editorial writer in the Muskogee Phoenix begins with what I consider an incoherent and unsupportable faux righteous statement: Our public work force should mirror the racial, ethnic and gender makeup of our state.

Why? The writer offers no reasons. He/she adds that government contracts shouldn’t be “tied to affirmative action” but on “best services or products at the best price.” Then he/she inexplicably contends that employment within state agencies should be tied to skin color for “groups that, for one reason or another, are disadvantaged or in the minority.”

Why the distinction? What’s wrong with hiring people through contracts or for agency employment based on qualifications, regardless of skin color or perceived disadvantages? Again, the writer doesn’t tell us. But he/she does prop up a straw man:

“Public employment is not just for one race, cultural group or gender.”

As John asked in his post, who said public employment was just for one race, cultural group or gender? You see, when you try to defend something as obviously and offensively unfair as skin color preferences, you must suspend rational argument. Too childish for words, that editorial, though I managed to scrape up a few.

What say you?

Related article and posts:

• The “other Super Tuesday” will focus on stopping official bias
• Super Post for Super Tuesday of Equality
• The True Meaning of “Black Pride”
• Fighting for Mediocrity in Michigan
• Holistic Review Exposed
• Asians: The Non-Preferred Minority

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
1 Kings 1:1-53 ~ Acts 4:1-37
Psalm 124:1-8 ~ Proverbs 16:24

Old Testament - Today we begin First Kings!  First Kings is an amazing book of the Bible.  We’ll be diving into David’s son Solomon’s reign and the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem.  You’ll recall that Solomon wrote many of the Proverbs, and in chapter 3 of First Kings this week we will learn why Solomon had the wisdom to be able to write such amazing proverbs that have stood the test of time for some 3,000 years!  Below is an image of King Solomon dictating his wise Proverbs:

Book:  First Kings
Author: Unknown
Date:  Sixth century B.C.
Content:  First and Second Kings form one book in the Hebrew Bible and are considered to be prophetic literature, probably because a prophet put the books together.  The two books cover a period of approximately 350 years, when kings ruled the land, hence the name of the book.  First Kings begins with the death of David, followed by a description of Solomon’s reign, including the building of the first Temple in Jerusalem.  The split of the kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South) is described, ending with the great conflict between Elijah the prophet, and Ahab, the king of Israel.
Theme:  The fact that a history book is considered to be prophetic is important.  It shows that God speaks to us from the past, as well as from the present experience of others.  These events are recorded so that we will not make the same mistakes again.  The conflict between Elijah and Ahab shows God’s immediate involvement in human life and his concern for human affairs.  First Kings particularly shows the disastrous effects of social evil upon the spiritual life of a nation.  (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 6) More commentary on First Kings is at these 3 links –
http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=1489
http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=1490 (Introduction to Solomon)
http://bible.org/page.php?page_id=752 (Introduction to Elijah)

First Kings chapter 1 is quite a chapter today!  David is old!  Adonijah claims the throne!  David makes Solomon King!  Quite a dramatic chapter, eh?  Adonijah was David's 4th oldest son, and probably the eldest son living at this time.  First son Amnon was killed by Absalom.  Second son Daniel was probably not living at this time.  Third son Absalom was killed in his rebellion.  So, fourth son Adonijah thought now was his moment to shine.  Well, as Paul Harvey would say, "now for the rest of the story..."  The chapter tells us the story well.  Solomon was clearly God and David's choice for the kingship.  Below is the artist Raphael's take on verses 39 & 40 today:  "There Zadok the priest took a flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and poured it on Solomon's head. Then the trumpets were blown, and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" And all the people returned with Solomon to Jerusalem, playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound."

New Testament - In our Acts readings today, I found it very interesting that Peter and John found themselves before the same 70 member Sanhedrin that Jesus found himself before when he was sentenced to death.  Peter and John avoided death in this case, and Jesus' name and power was proclaimed before the high council in a powerful way.  Caiaphas you'll recall from John 18:14: "Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people."  Well, the Spirit of Jesus was once again before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin through the boldness of Peter and John!

I love reading about the early church praying and sharing their possessions after Peter and John were released!  Have you ever prayed a prayer that was anything like verses 29 & 30?  Wow... "And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching. Send your healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus."  Think we could learn something about prayer from this early church community in Acts 4?  How often do you pray with a group of people outside of a regular church service?  Think this would be a powerful thing to do? Below is a beautiful fresco on the wall in a small church in the French Alps of "The Community in Prayer" from Acts 4 today:

Bible.org's commentary on our Acts readings today titled "Truth or Consequences" is at this link.

Psalms - I read in a commentary that Psalm 124 was likely a call and response from a Levitical priest and worshipers.  Verses 1 through 5 were likely spoken by the priest and verses 6 through 8 were the response of the people.  Great way to read this Psalm!  Even though this Psalm title says it is a "Psalm of David", some commentaries believe this Psalm is post-exile from Babylon based on verse 8: "We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!"  Though, I could see that verse apply to Davidic times too. Verse 8 is a joyful response that hopefully each one of us can sing confidently: "Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth."  Amen and Amen!

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 124 titled "The Lord is on Our Side" is at this link.

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs chapter 16 verse 24 we read: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” How does this verse speak to you? Do you believe that words have power? Do you speak to others with pleasant words? Do you realize that your words literally can be sweet to the soul of others and healing to their bones? Knowing this, would this maybe change how you speak to others? Do you also believe that there is a time and place to speak to someone with words that may not be pleasant, but that are needed discipline? I do think there is a time and place for disciplinary words to be spoken directly to someone – with love. And though these words may seem harsh at first, over time they may be seen as very pleasant words that someone needed to hear. Generally speaking I do think we can probably do the most good and encourage others to change through pleasant words. Is there someone in your life today who might be going through a hard time that you can bless with pleasant words? Will you encourage that person today with words that are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones?  Let our words be like "honey from heaven" to those around us!

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  We read about the boldness of Peter and John in Acts chapter 4 today.  Do you think we are called to be bold in our faith?  Why?  What are some ways that we should be bold in our faith?  What are some ways in which you are bold in your faith today?  What are some ways you want to become bolder in your faith?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Dave Dias is a great friend and advisor to Strategic Digital Outreach (you can read more about Dave on our About page). Recently, Dave’s wife Irene was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening disease known as Amyloidosis. Without treatment, average life expectancy would be 18 months. With treatment, six years. For more information, visit IreneDias.com.

If you have a moment, I know that Irene and Dave would greatly appreciate your prayers.

David Robison  recently added "Love does not keep a record of wrongs: Part 2 - Kingdom Economics" in the Library.  This post discusses the account in Matthew 18:21-35 of the forgiving king and the unforgiving servant.  And, it started me thinking.  I remembered something that Amanda's grandmother once said.  She was asked about the changes she has seen throughout her life.  She didn't mention computers, or the internet, or even the automobile.  She said the people are different today than when she was younger.  She said specifically people are much, much less tolerant of each other.  And, she wasn't talking about the "politically correct" tolerance that pervades our culture.  She was talking about good old fashion courtesy and respect.

I have to agree.  I have only 35 years under my belt.  But, I can see a difference.  Employees go "postal."  Drivers on the interstate get shot if they upset the wrong driver.  And, the American public loves Simon Cowell and the "just being honest" philosophy behind much of reality TV.

And, the church is not immune.  Christians do not hold themselves to a higher standard as it pertains to loving their neighbor.  In fact, I think at times, we use "discernment" as an excuse to be judgemental and hypercritical.

I think an important fact in the story of the "Unforgiving Servant" is the amount of money that the servant owed the king.  David says that according to J Vernon McGee the amount owed is comparable to 12 million USD.  Wow!  That's an enormous amount of money to personally owe.

I am challenged with the idea that, on occasion, I harbor bitternes and withhold my forgiveness based on the magnitude of the sin.  If you accidentally step on my foot as you make your way to your seat in church on Sunday, I am quick to say, "No problem."  I am quick to forgive.  But, if you gossip about my wife or talk about how one of my kids is struggling in school (which by the way they are not, Nana), watch out!  I won't let that slide so easily.

It only seems logical and natural to hold people to some sort of accountability - to make someone suffer for their offenses in an attempt to squash that tendency, right?.  Does it not?  Am I alone in this?  If I forgive the heinous sin, it may continue.  At least that is what the natural side of me says.  But, my natural thoughts and my logic, according the Bible (1 Cor 1:25-29, 1 Cor 2:14), are clearly not a good measure of justice.

If God can forgive 12 million dollars, then I need to fall in line and forgive those around me as well, regardless of the magnitude.