In a recent speech author and apologist Josh McDowell caused a significant commotion by proclaiming the the primary cause of inequality for Black families in America is that Black households don't prioritize education and hard work. That he was doing so in the midst of a speech lambasting Critical Race Theory as unbiblical because it sees oppression in systems and not just individuals made his statement ironic in addition to its casual racist stereotypes given that Josh McDowell is blaming the systems of Black families and culture rather than the individual young people he claims are growing up to not value education and hard work. Here is the quote:
"I do not believe Blacks, African Americans, and many other minorities have equal opportunity. Why? Most of them grew up in families where there is not a big emphasis on education, security — you can do anything you want. You can change the world. If you work hard, you will make it. So many African Americans don't have those privileges like I was brought up with,"
After the uproar McDowell attempted to backtrack claiming that his statement didn't reflect his own beliefs, but much damage has already been done to his reputation.
Josh McDowell apologises for race comments, by Jennifer Lee of Christian Today
Josh McDowell steps back from ministry after controversial remarks on black families By Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter
That racism is indeed a structural problem, and not just the actions of individuals is not a difficult proposition to establish, although it is anathema to a significant portion of Evangelicals in America today to say so. I've already written against such rampant Individualism:
When the shameful past of Racism hits close to home {An analysis of The Color of Law, an incredible book}
The Prophet Amos: What provokes God's wrath? - Injustice and False Worship {Amos had no trouble seeing Israel's problems as being more than individual choices}
Especially this: Taking the name of the LORD in vain: PragerU's "Social Justice Isn't Justice"
And this: "What does the Bible say about systemic racism?" by WWUTT.com - an error filled and shameful tragedy that only makes things worse
Mitigating racism can't wait: Why Pastor Robert Jeffress is wrong
Systemic Racism: The casual racism of the phrase "Black on Black crime" {Also contains links to Phil Vischer's videos from the Holy Post, very helpful}
So yeah, I've written a lot in the last couple of years against the notion that systematic racism doesn't exist and against the over-dependence of Evangelicals today on Individualism. It turns out that a false individualism is at the heart of Josh McDowell's theological error as well. Also from that same speech is this fiasco that is being overshadowed by the racist stereotype that went with it:
During his talk, McDowell also criticized critical race theory (CRT) which he claimed "negates all the biblical teaching" on racism because it blames systems instead of individual sin. "There's no comparison to what is known today as social justice with what the Bible speaks as justice," he said. "With CRT they speak structurally. The Bible speaks individually. Make sure you get that. That's a big difference." {quoted from the Christian Today article}
Wait, what?? The Bible speaks individually ONLY and NOT structurally? The prophets don't excoriate Israelite society, its government and rulers because of their unjust laws and practices? Jesus doesn't flip tables in the temple, upbraid the power structures in Jerusalem time and time again? How Josh McDowell came to a place in his worldview that he would believe and teach this nonsense is itself a hard question, but there is no doubt that he is in deep error here, and that he is not alone.
My rebuttal (link above) of the PragerU video goes into much detail against this false individualistic version of the Gospel, this is a political gospel, one rooted in Ayn Rand style individualism, but antithetical to the traditional Judeo-Christian worldview.
"My body, my choice" is Individualism that spits in the face of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord - abortion and vaccine refusal
When is governmental action morally justified? The morality of COVID-19 responses to protect less than 1%.
2020 has taken the measure of the Church, and found us wanting
"You do you, I'll do me" - Quintessentially American, but incompatible with the Judeo-Christian worldview
Another example of rampant Individualism: A Moral Hierarchy: A refutation of William Barr's, "Other than slavery, which was a different kind of restraint, this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history."
The response of many Christians to the COVID-19 pandemic has put into plain view the paucity of Individualism, the utter failure of an ethic based on the needs/wants of the individual and neglecting community responsibility. McDowell's dismissal of systematic racism (as part of his political assault on CRT) is equally foolish, and equally unbiblical.
