I know what you’re probably thinking…”Daniel is going to take a side and make a stance!”, or “Here we go, Daniel is about to make a statement on a loaded cultural issue!” Well, I hate to disappoint you, but that is not the goal of this article. Simply put, my goal is to examine both positions. Then, provide a biblical response to these questions from what I call “a gospel framework.” Curious? Well, keep reading!

The answer to these two interrelated questions is not simple. It is the “big elephant in the room” in America. Answers and discussions about racism and culture wars are complex. If you or I decide to make a statement such as “Black Lives Matter” or “All Lives Matter” we will immediately draw criticism from others. Soon, people will label you a bigot, insensitive, prejudiced, misinformed, etc. Which may be true.

Some people that use these statements, not all, have ill motives (i.e. Antifa members who are looting and ransacking stores across the country in the name of the movement). However, they do not represent those who genuinely care about the black community or law enforcement. That is why we need to dialogue rather than call each other names. We need wisdom before assigning motive to people who employ these two statements. After all, ethical and moral issues are difficult.

Furthermore, keep this in mind, not everyone knows how to express their feelings or opinions. I have met many well-meaning people who have difficulty expressing their thoughts (myself included). Just a couple of days ago, I had a conversation with a young black male and a young white female, both of whom expressed difficulty in expressing their feelings about the racial issues plaguing our nation. In addition, today I met a couple who stated they are not racist and see no issue with saying “All lives matter,” including black lives.

To be honest, I am hesitant to make statements like “Black Lives Matter,” or “All Lives Matter,” and even “Blue Lives Matter.” Why? Because without context, or said at the wrong time, I am likely to offend. I do not want to inadvertently hurt others who are victims of hatred . Neither do I want to be labeled as insensitive, closed-minded, ignorant, or racist.
The majority of my friends and family do not want to offend either.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

The phrase “Black Lives Matter” was birthed in the aftermath of the death of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in Florida 7 years ago. After Zimmerman was acquitted from all charges, a few community activists started a social media campaign using the hashtag “#blacklivesmatter.” After the deaths of Michael Brown (Missouri) and Eric Garner (New York), the movement gained international recognition as politicians, artists, Hollywood celebrities, and many others began disseminating the message over their social media platforms.

Fast forward to 2016, Black Lives Matter became an organized movement.* In the same year, Black Lives Matter became an official organization with official shared values. The thrust of the movement is political in nature. Leaders of the movement state on their website, “Black Lives Matter began as a call to action in response to state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism. Our intention from the very beginning was to connect Black people from all over the world who have a shared desire for justice to act together in their communities. The impetus for that commitment was, and still is, the rampant and deliberate violence inflicted on us by the state.”*

ALL LIVES MATTER

In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, a few public figures like Senator Tim Scott, Senator Rand Paul, Remigio Pereira, a member of “The Tenors,” and Max Muncy, among others, began using the phrase “All Lives Matter.” The phrase “All Lives Matter” did not go viral. It did not turn into a movement.

The phrase “All Lives Matter” was also propagated through a hashtag. But its context was different. The hashtag was created in support of law enforcement after 5 Dallas police officers were killed in a Black Lives Matter protest turned violent in 2016. Soon after, some people began posting “Blue Lives Matter” in support of police officers. Though “All Lives Matter” never organized into a group, some people have become activists in favor of the idea.

ANALYSIS OF THE TWO PHRASES

Today, the issue has become complex. Here’s a quick analysis:

1. Conceptually:

• Black Lives Matter was birthed out of a desire to bring awareness about the plight of our black brothers and sisters who experience racism in the United States, are victims of police brutality, and who have historically been marginalized.
• All Lives Matter was birthed out of desire to support non-corrupt police officers, black or otherwise, who dedicate their lives, and sacrifice of their time, families, and lives to keep our communities safe.

2. Politically:

• The Black Lives Matter Movement has taken an anti-government, anti-establishment stance, allowing some elements within the group to promote violence. Use of force against anyone who disagrees with their political agenda is encouraged. Black Lives Matter leaders seek a complete reformulation of societal structure, who in their view is inherently evil. Politically, Black Lives Matter supporters are labeled as liberal progressives.
• All Lives Matter seeks a more holistic approach. The problem is that people who affirm this stance often times act and speak as black lives do not matter. Politically, people who are adamant about saying “All Lives Matter” are seen as extreme conservatives.

3. Ideologically:

• The Black Lives Matter movement joined the sexual revolution by making overt declarations in support of the gay agenda. For instance, one of its core values is, “We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise).”**
• All Lives Matter seeks to debunk the Black Lives Matter movement because it seems to privilege only one group of people, black people. Aren’t all people valuable? They exclaim, “Why do only black people matter?,” “What about whites, hispanics, asians, etc.?”

4. Societally:

• Those who believe in the Black Lives Matter cause want racism to end. The problem is that recent riots and protests have turned violent leading to more death. Furthermore, some bad elements have taken advantage of the movement and are destroying property, disturbing public peace, and causing irreparable damage to innocent lives. Those who are sincere in their empathy and sympathy for the plight of black people in America want change! Change in the criminal/justice system. Change in the social-economic disparities still prevalent in our culture. Change within organizations who have long been ethnically homogenous (including the church).
• Those who believe All Lives Matter have tried to bring attention to the fact that not all police officers are corrupt or evil. The problem is not that they generally think black lives do not matter, but that there is a lack of focus on the fact that cops too are essential members of our communities.

TOWARD A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH: A Gospel Framework

Two things can be true at the same time. After all black lives do matter and so does all life. Why? Because we have inherent value. Our value is divine in nature, it is assigned to us by God. Theologians call it the imago Dei (that all human beings are created in the image of God regardless of their ethnicity – Genesis 1:27). Further, each of us have so much value that God sent his own son that whosoever believes (all who believe) in him shall not perish, but have eternal life! (John 3:16).

The gospel message is one of hope, restoration, forgiveness, renewal, and peace. All of which our world desperately needs. Having a gospel framework allows us to forgive like Christ forgave us (unconditionally – Ephesians 4:30). It also compels us to share each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2-3). When we function within the gospel framework we treat others with deep respect regardless or their stance on certain moral or ethical issues (Matthew 7:12; 1 Peter 2:7).

About the conceptual idea that Black Lives Matters:

As Christians, we are called to love those who are victims of injustice. We should should show love to our neighbors by: 1) seeking to empathize with their pain, 2) by speaking up against racism when we see it, 3) by peacefully protesting against injustice when possible, 4) by voting to change the justice system, 5) by trying to understand and respect our differences, 6) by loving and caring for their immediate needs, 7) by listening and dialoguing with them about their struggles. We need to recognize that slavery denigrated the imago Dei of our fellow black brothers and sisters in the past, that police brutality still exists and has historical precedent in our nation, and that we are sometimes oblivious to the struggles of our neighbors and their trials. 

About the conceptual idea that All Lives Matter:

Christ died to gather all peoples to himself. A gospel framework also leaves room for an inclusive approach. In the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commands us to go into “all nations.” The Greek term is panta ta ethne. Ethne is where we get the English word “ethnicity.” Later in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation, John is given a vision where people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (ethnous). This all-inclusive vision shows God’s love for all mankind, regardless of the color of their skin, and regardless of one’s societal role (ie. police officers).

IN CONCLUSION

We should affirm that black lives matter, because God says they do. We should also seek to empathize with our black brothers and sisters who live in constant fear. Some of my dear black friends fear for their children. They also fear for their future and the future of their communities. A gospel framework heeds Christ followers to protect those who are marginalized and ostracized in our communities. We must stand alongside each other, not against one another.

We should also affirm all other life matters, because God established it from the beginning. We should love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34). We should love those who hate us and persecute us, and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). We should submit to government authority (Romans 13). We should discourage vandalism. We should hate sinful behavior of all kinds and not be selective, because sin is an affront to the glory of God. We should pray for our black communities. We should pray for the safety our law enforcement officers. We should pray for racism and police brutality to end. And we should pray for justice to reign.

Black people should not be treated violently. Neither should the police. Neither any of our fellow citizens. They need to be respected. Let us seek to conform ourselves into the image of Christ, and heed his teaching: “But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39b).

Written by Daniel Messina

A full treatment of the movement and its values is beyond the scope of this article. For a brief, but more detailed history of the Black Lives Matter Movement visit: http://bruceashford.net/2017/blacklivesmatter-2-a-brief-history-of-blm/

Read another one of my articles here: https://thepreachersdevoblog.com/george-floyd/