Quote:
Originally posted by Blackwatch
But, in the case of gender justice in the Church and the notion of "patriarchy", to note that their is patriarchy in the church I don't think takes much twisting of scripture. The fact that things like the scarcity of women in pulpits, the notion that historically when girls got pregnant out of wedlock they (and only they) had to go in front of most congregations in our community and be subject to shame and scorn, that many of the pastors of our churches will tell a woman to remain in a physicaly, emotionally, and spiritually abusive marriage for the sake of making the institution of marriage look good, and etc. tells me that there is still a lot of patriarchy in our churches. I think the "liberal" interpretation or careful study of the Bible will reveal that God is not patriarchal, but that we live in a patriarchal society, which God calls us (both men and women) to challenge with God's "light".
You seem to believe that "patriarchy" is a negative. So does that mean that "matriarchy" is good? There is nothing wrong with doing things as God has ordered. When man tries to be God and re-order things, he screws it up. There are plenty of women in pulpits and plenty with their own churches and ministries. Women have always played a pivotal role in Christianity and while in the Black Church, their roles have been traditional, that does not make it a negative.
I don't think Dyson accepts Tupac's words as Gospel. If you read Holla if You Hear Me Dyson goes to great lengths to talk about the mysogyny, self destructive hedonism and crass materialism in Tupac's music. I think Dyson's references to the work of Tupac is to note the creative genius that Tupac possessed and the biting social commentary that some of his music makes about growing up as a Black man in America. I think Dyson finds this an important insight to the human condition, especially the Black man 's possible collective psyche and that we should at least give ear to the cries of our "ghetto" (for lack of a better term) youth when we sit down and read scriptures for possible answers to our suffering. Besides, as an academic , Dyson has to question everything-Tupac, the Bible, his own mama. Don't get me wrong, most times I think Dyson praises Tupac too much and reads way more into Tupac's music than is actually there, but that is what makes him (Dyson) exciting and gives us an opportunity to love God with "all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind" by thinking about some of Dyson's ideas.
BlackWatch!!!!!!
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The classic trick of the devil. Out of the 90% evil, debaucherous, loathesome lyrics, lifestyle, and criminal activities of Tupac, find the 10% that offer some insight and conscience, and exalt that. NOT!!! A tree is known by its fruit. Yes, some wayward, leftist academicians find something redeeming about Tupac's Thug Life but that doesn't legitimize anything. Again, Dyson is a ish-starter who say alot of left-field things simply to draw attention to himself and he is in love with the sound of his own voice. How contrived is it for him to drop lyrics from the two most beloved and street-cred having rappers? He challenges strongholds just for the self-promotion. "Boy, did you hear what Dyson just said?" "Did you see where Dyson just ordained a woman and a homosexual over the protests of the church and the congregation?" Everywhere Dyson has gone, he starts ish and promptly leaves town. Every church and every university. He is a $5 con man in a $10 game and as soon as his bluff is called, he cashes in and rolls. Alot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
REIKI::: just as you said, people have their own agenda and will falsely interpret the Bible to fit those biases, but when faced with such, read the directions. Most Biblical doctine is solid and incontrovertible. It says what it says. Man just wants to create leeway so that he can lie and cause confusion.