[Public Service Announcement]
Joel McDurmon,
American Vision,
Your article was sent to me by numerous people. Interestingly, you did not send it to me. Thankfully, those who sent it knew me and knew of my ministry. I certainly learned some things from your article. First, if you had not pointed out that I was a “racist,” I would never have thought that concerning myself. I thought that I was just a Christian that believed the Bible. I certainly have never considered myself a racist since I believe that God created the races and has a purpose for each race.
Second, I was shocked to learn that Dr. Peter Hammond who has done more for black people and preached to more black people than you have ever dreamed of doing, is also labeled a racist. I have known him for years, preached with him and fellowshipped with him and had never picked up a racist tone in his voice or a racist bone in his body. It was a real shocker. I cannot help but wonder why he continues to be chased by ANC guerrillas, thrown into prisons, shot at with automatic weapons and threatened as he leads medical teams and others to minister in Africa. Those are mighty strange tactics for a racist of his caliber. Since he does not believe as you, are his life, ministry and mission work to be thrown into the garbage? Is he not worthy to be counted as a brother?
How do you determine who is racist? How do you determine exactly that which is racism? Is there a standard? I am sure that political correctness would have nothing to do with your determination. You would also deny that Marxism, humanism and any other ism had anything to do with your determination. Is it based upon your interpretation of the bible or just your set of personal beliefs? Did you derive your standard from the internet or from the federal government?
Did you appoint yourself or was there a vote to enthrone you as the one that defines racism and determines who is a racist? Is there a pope in Protestantism? I am glad to know that you are the one that determines what is racist and what is not and that you have elevated yourself to the position of supreme leadership in this matter. Now, all may look to you for your pronouncements. Do you speak ex-cathedra? Are your declarations infallible also? Would you declare Cassius Clay, better known as Mohammed Ali a racist? Cassius Clay or Mohammed Ali advocated the purity of the races and did not believe in interracial marriage. You may find his comments here: HYPERLINK "https://www.unz.com/akarlin/muhammad-ali-on-race/"" https://www.unz.com/akarlin/muhammad-ali-on-race/ and here: HYPERLINK ""https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Ka40KovVo" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Ka40KovVo.
He did not believe in interracial marriage. He is black. Is he a racist? If he was, I wonder if he knew it. Maybe it is that only white pastors can be racist if they hold the same views.
One of your concerns is: “the prohibition on interracial marriage in the name of the Bible. It is this that most concerns me here.” Really? Have you ever heard of liberty of conscience? How about the priesthood of the believer? How about the fact that it is the Holy Spirit that enlightens, illuminates and exposes truth? Is it necessary that every pastor, preacher and Christian interpret the Bible as you? Is it possible to read the same passage and have varying interpretations? I wonder why not every one sees exactly the same way on every issue?
You said: “The persistence of Christians today who would forbid interracial marriages on the grounds of race is very unfortunate. It is sin.” Sin is a violation of God’s law (1 John 3:4). Would you please give chapter and verse, at least a hint of how not believing in interracial marriage is a violation of God’s law? Are we commanded to intermarry? If it is a sin to disbelieve it; there must be a clear command to either believe it or engage in it. Do we become more holy, godly and obedient by intermarrying? Do we preserve God’s created races by intermarrying? There are many more principles in Scripture that relate to my position other than the “hybridization laws.” Incidentally, have you felt led to expose R.J. Rushdoony? Was he a racist? Was he an abomination? You must re-read his section on marriage and the sixth commandment. In the Institutes of Biblical Law, volume 1, page 257, he states:
“The burden of the law is thus against inter-religious, inter-racial, and inter-cultural marriages, in that they normally go against the very community which marriage is designed to establish.”
Are we now to denounce Rush and toss all of his monumental works into the garbage because he espoused a position that you think is racist, sinful and abominable? I not only had the pleasure of knowing Rush but also of studying with him. I counted him not only a friend but a mentor as well. He was one of the godliest and most knowledgeable men on the law of God that I have ever known.
If not believing in interracial marriage is an abomination as you say, would you please show me in the Bible where God calls such an abomination? Moreover, sin and especially idolatry is referred to as an abomination in Jer. 44:4. Sin as an abomination is a “stench in God’s nostrils,” would you please explain to me how a Christian who holds such a view can be a sweet savor in Jesus Christ and accepted in Him and be held as abominable at the same time? There are no perfect Christians in this life. There are no perfect pastors, preachers or counselors in this life. There are no perfect CEOS or presidents of Christian organizations. Everyone has faults, failings and sins. No one has all knowledge and no one has perfect knowledge. God does not give everyone the same light, the same amount of light and He certainly does not give light to all at the same time. Each one is responsible to live according to the light that God gives him.
You said: “I feel it is my duty to relate to readers my cognizance of such ministers close to my circles.” Since duty is based upon doctrine, where is the doctrine that gives you the right, authority and power to attack, malign and denigrate a belief that is not only historical but one that many believe is biblical. So, you disagree. So what? Have you never read Rom. 14:10: But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The word judge not only means to judge but also to condemn. Thus, you condemn bible believing brethren that differ with you on this issue. You set your self up as judge, jury and executioner. What if I felt it was my duty to expose your compromise on this subject and other subjects as well? Do we live by feelings or by doctrine? Our lives are to be lived by biblical principles and not by feelings. If you believe that it is your duty to “expose” such horrible people according to the law, why did you violate God’s law in fulfilling your duty?” If I remember correctly, our Lord said in Matt. 18:15: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Why did you not come to Peter Hammond and me? Why did you not contact us if you really believed that we had trespassed against you or God’s law? Why did you not seek to restore us? Why did you not come privately according to God’s law?
One’s view on marriage does not affect salvation, missions, obedience, holiness or any fundamental doctrine of Scripture. It is a personal view and one that is granted by liberty of conscience. I have never condemned or judged you for believing in interracial marriage. That is between you and the Lord. He is the Judge – not me. Dr. Hammond has never criticized you on your views. Probably, like me, he does not even know you. As far as I know, we have never met and probably have never spoken to each other. Moreover, you certainly have never contacted me, never discussed the issue with me and certainly you have never lovingly, kindly endeavored to correct me since you think that I am a terrible racist, a sinner and an abomination to God for holding a particular view. It seems to me that if you were really concerned with the positions that Pastor McCurry, Dr. Hammond and I hold, you would also have felt duty bound to reach out to us, teach us and instruct us. After all, is that not what we are commanded to do in Gal. 6:1-3?
You referred to Dr. Robert McCurry as a Christian Identity pastor. I have known Pastor McCurry for over 40 years. He is not now, nor has he ever been a Christian Identity pastor. You are using the same tactics as the Southern Poverty Law Center. You endeavor to inflame, insinuate and even declare things that are patently false and untrue. Pastor McCurry has preached for 74 years. He has probably forgotten more than you will ever know. He had black people attend his church, he helped start black churches upon their request and he had a Go Ye ministry that sent teams into black neighborhoods to teach the Word of God and preach the gospel. It is an affront to such a godly man who has suffered much for the gospel and is now 88 years of age. If you think this is your duty to hurt, harm and seek to destroy a preacher of the gospel; you are mistaken. If you think it is your duty to vilify and denounce the brethren for personal beliefs; you are mistaken. You are free to disagree with me and I am free to disagree with you. You may attack me all you wish, but how dare you publish such garbage and never have the courtesy to call Dr. McCurry. You do not know him and you owe him an apology.
Incidentally, for your information, I am not now nor have ever been a Christian Identity preacher. My views are my own. They came from reading the Bible. Evidently, I am not reading from the same version as you. Evidently, I am also not allowed to hold a different view than you. If I do, I am pronounced a racist, a sinner and an abomination.
You have taken a relative inane subject, declared it a sin and an abomination, and elevated it almost to the level of denying the Virgin Birth, blaspheming the Holy Spirit and denying the verbal inspiration of the Bible. My view on marriage does not affect you in any way and neither does it affect or harm anyone else. Everyone has the absolute right to disagree. I have never, ever demanded that anyone agree with me. When asked, I am truthful and honest on the subject. If you do not like my response, find one that you do like.
I sent a young man to American Vision for materials and help. In fact, I have sent many there for materials over the years. I was just told by one of them that you suggested to him that “he needed to repent for being my friend.” Really! How low can you stoop? Prov. 6:16-19 lists a number of things that God hates and one of those things is “sowing discord among the brethren.” You are destroying yourself and your testimony. If our Lord Jesus was a friend to sinners, certainly as a horrible sinner, racist and an abominable person, I need Christian friends. Why would you even suggest that he repent for being my friend? You are either unethical, hypocritical or diabolical. You endeavor to rebuke and renounce me and at the same time turn into a destroyer of friendships and seek to have me ostracized based upon your determination. You are not Jesus Christ and you are not the church. You must remember that you reap that which you sow. Repentance is necessary because of sin (1 John 3:4). May I ask where in the Bible that one is demanded to repent based upon his friendship with a brother in Christ? Your request reeks of spiritual tyranny. It was Diotrephes that sought to destroy the brethren and cast them out in 3 John. Prov. 16:28: A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
It seems to me that there are so many enemies that we have to fight, need to fight and must fight; it is an absolute shame that we waste our time and end up fighting each other. Christians are about the only group I know that try to slay the walking wounded. You have had your say and I must add, you did not express any brotherly kindness to call me, contact me or ask me anything, so now; please leave me alone that I may attend to the ministry that God has called me to and the one that I have endeavored to fulfill for the last 53 years.
I suppose your article and my response means that I will not be receiving any more emails from you asking for financial support.
In Christ,
John Weaver, Pastor
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R.A.B.'s note: Last night, I had independently written my own defense of Pastor Weaver, Pastor McCurry, et alia, having not yet received or read Pastor Weaver's reply. My open letter can be read here:
Joel McDurmon enemy of Christianity and Enemy of God... or Judas exposes Peter and Paul
R.A.B.