Imago Dei

As a young Seminarian, I remember one of my first sermons at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio. It was a predominately African American congregation that was full of life and energy. I remember preaching on Sunday, June 19th. I spent much of the sermon commemorating Juneteenth. I spoke of the crushing weight of systemic racism and how cruel humans can be to one another. I spoke about how important it is that the Church take a stand against racism in the name of Christ.

I was feeling pretty good about the sermon until I shook a woman’s hand after Worship. She was frail and well into her 90’s. I recall being startled by her strength as she pulled me down to speak in my ear. She said, “young man… we already know all that.” Her words put a dagger through my ego and I instantly felt hallow. I’m not sure what I thought I was teaching them. It was apparent that I was preaching against racism without having experienced it and without having confronted it within myself.  Racism is something that no one is exempt from. We are tribal people and we build systems in society that favor our groups all the time. The first step to overcome any of our biases is to be made aware of their existence. Otherwise, they will go unnoticed because we don’t experience their affects.

For example, without the emphasis of Juneteenth, I would have never considered the idea that the Fourth of July only celebrates our county’s freedom from Great Britain in 1776. Of course, slaves weren’t free until 1865. So, it’s not everyone’s freedom that we’re celebrating on July Fourth. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but it took two years for it to be enforced. This history does not have to ruin the Fourth of July all together, but it is certainly important to keep in mind. 

The truth is, ignorance is only an acceptable excuse until we are taught our actual history. Once the experiences of other people are brought into our consciousness mind, then we have to respond accordingly. We belittle the impact of over 250 years of chattel slavery when we deny the existing wounds that were caused by intense physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. A failure to acknowledge our sin is giving consent for the sin itself. Confession and forgiveness go hand-in-hand.

The effects of those wounds continue today and require the healing balm that only the gospel of Christ can provide. God cares for the oppressed, the hurting, and the abused. God’s compassion and action that deliver and restore people physically and spiritually is shown all throughout the Bible. God is the eternal emancipator. Jesus ushers in a spiritual emancipation from the bondage of sin and a physical emancipation for those in literal bondage.

I wonder, can we build the capacity to lean into the stories of others, seeing and understanding the image of God (Imago Dei) in all people? Can we believe people when they tell us that they’re hurting? Can we look inward and examine how our past might influence our present?  

This Juneteenth, celebrate the beauty of the Imago Dei in the African American experience. Let’s commit to doing something that deepens our cultural intelligence. Let’s bring at least one of our biases to the surface. By being honest with ourselves, and being honest about our history, we will become closer with God. Indeed, God is at work by helping us to see the Imago Dei in all people.  

Set free by Christ,

Pastor Lucas McSurley