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A Quest for Freedom: An African American Odyssey
Why write a
book? He/she who does is imperiled because they open themselves to the charge
of indecent exposure.
If literary perversion ensues, penance is required
before one can break the threshold of paradise. What is this book about?
This book
grows out of a relentless experience of disenfranchisement, where a people is
constantly defined, redefined, and categorized by the oppressor. And this
oppression has not only been sanctioned socio-politically, but also
theologically. Therefore, this book is a socio-theological analysis of the
oppression of African American people.
It is a
challenge to the White (Beige) Institutional church to renounce, and repent of
its attachment to culture, and racism. Without equivocating this book looks upon
White (Beige) Institutional Christianity to be an enemy to oppressed people, and
is therefore an enemy to Jesus of Nazareth. The missing ingredient during the
Civil Rights movement 1955-1968 was that there was no organized effort to picket
the White (Beige) church. The term “Beige” must replace the term “White”
because “White” as a description of Caucasians is a misnomer. However, since
the term (Beige) is not yet in vogue, in order to avoid confusion, the term
“White” will be used. Because of the longevity of ethnic confusion, the terms
“Black” and “African American” will be used interchangeably.
Since the
White (Beige) church is married to the dominant culture, it cannot be a factor
in the liberation enterprise unless it is completely dismantled, or radically
transformed by Jesus of Nazareth.
This book is
also a challenge to the African American church to become the “Alternative
Consciousness. If it fails, it must also be eliminated. If the African
American Church can overcome its preoccupation with Pharaoh, and his palace, our
liberation is at hand.
Beyond all
this, this book is an attempt to bring into focus some of the major issues
confronting African American in the twenty first century such as: the family,
education, economics, politics, and the role of religion and the church. Our
musing here cannot be considered as a prescription. Its purpose is to create
discussion and in order that our people might collectively rise up in creative
fashion against the evil of oppression.
The difficulty
in communicating in such a work as this is that the truth must be told. When
the naked truth is told, it is very easy to be called a pessimist. However,
there can be no hope without truth. I still believe that the African American
people could become the leaders of a movement that would subvert what Pharaoh,
and Caesar have to offer. Only then can the Infinite intersect our
finitude.
Mack King
Carter
Fort
Lauderdale, Florida
1993
A Catechism For Baptists
This little
volume is a facilitator, rather that a substitute for an intensive study of the
Christian Faith. It can be used in pre-membership and post-membership training.
The writer has used it in his own church primarily in pre-membership training.
While we recognize that the concept of pre-membership training is not widely
accepted by Baptists, this book can also be used in other training programs such
as: teacher training; Baptist Training Union; New Member Orientation; and Sunday
School. However, the writer feels that pre-membership training can have a
tremendous impact upon the church’s task of making disciples.
This book is
in the form of questions and answers. This is not the only method of
instruction, but it is a helpful one. Most of the dialogue in church training
involves asking and answering questions. Therefore, the catechism has one
hundred eighty-four questions and answers. The following areas are covered: the
Bible; church history; the Baptist denomination; church polity; theology and
Christian ethics. It is designed for at least a three-month or a twelve-hour
study period. Moreover, the period of study can be geared according to
individual need.
It is hoped
that this catechism will prove helpful and stimulating. The student who goes
through this catechism will not be a theologian. Indeed, it is our prayerful
desire that he or she will be encouraged to become a sincere and knowledgeable
adherent of the Christian faith. As you begin this pilgrimage, may you heed the
Master who said “take my yoke upon you and learn of me.’ (Matthew 11:29a)
With this view
in mind, I sincerely hope that you will be inspired as were the Christians at
Berea in Acts 17:11, who “received the word with readiness of mind, and searched
the scriptures daily, to see whether those things were so.”
Mack King
Carter
To Calvary And Beyond
These nineteen
Lenten sermons by Dr. Mack King Carter are valuable messages to be utilized by
those who would preach in the latter half of the twentieth century. However, I
would hasten to say that these sermons are appropriate at each season of the
year, for they deal with some of the most troubling issues in Holy
Scripture.
They are well
written, thought provoking prophetically relevant and soul searching for those
of us who preach and those who listen to preaching as we journey in faith and
hope and love.
Mack King
Carter provides in those sermons some new insight for those who aspire to be
vehicles of what Paul calls “the dwelling word.” The dwelling word, in Paul’s
thought, is the word of God that is proclaimed regardless of the consequences.
The dwelling word leads one of Calvary. This we see in the life of Jesus, in
the life of the apostles, and in the life of the Apostle Paul. And it will be
seen again in our own lives if we take seriously the task of preaching that
“thus says the Lord.”
In my judgment
Mack King Carter earnestly assumes the preaching task and the preaching life.
In him we catch a glimpse of what biblical preaching and living are all about.
We will do ourselves well when we reflect on these sermons. I count it a joy
and a privilege to have read them and to have worked with the man whose pen gave
us these insights for Lenten meditation.
Fred C.
Lofton, Pastor
Metropolitan
Baptist Church
Memphis,
Tennessee
Interpreting The Will Of God
ONE OF THE
GREATEST CHALLENGES FACING CHRISTIANS TODAY is determining the will of God in
their lives. Because we live in a world in which advertisements, television,
radio talk shows, videos, song lyrics and countless other influences seek to
control the decisions we make, it has become more difficult than ever before to
know God’s plan for us.
Interpreting
the Will of God gives readers the tools necessary to look beyond the influences
that compete for their attention and to focus on the Lord’s plan for them. Each
chapter offers a key that allows believers and seekers alike to effectively
interpret God’s will for their lives.
Chapter 1
establishes the foundation of this book by exploring the nature and
characteristics of God. Only by understanding these holy attributes can we
begin to see the divine will at work in our lives. Chapter 2 surveys the three
basic types of God’s will: intentional, circumstantial and ultimate. These
three categories are used throughout the remaining chapters to describe God’s
will.
In chapter 3
we examine Jesus of Nazareth. Since he is the embodiment and the face of God,
we must examine his life and teachings in order to know what God would have us
do in our own lives. Chapter 4 looks at suffering as it relates to interpreting
the will of God. While acknowledging that suffering can be a tremendous
impediment to a clear understanding of God’s will, this chapter lays claim to,
and then proves, that God’s will can indeed be made known through suffering.
Failure and
rejection becomes life-affirming attributes when we are considering the will of
God in our lives. Chapter 5 shows how failure and rejection are preludes to a
deeper relationship with God, spiritual victory, and other tremendous windows of
opportunity as we seek to know God’s will. Chapter 6 considers patience and the
profound benefits we receive when we wait to know the will of God. Patience,
rather than being passive and inactive, is shown to be a vibrant, dynamic
opportunity for growth in our spiritual lives.
Chapter 7
examines faith as a means of surrendering to God’s will. It looks, from a fresh
viewpoint, at several Old and New Testament examples of faith. In addition,
this chapter considers how to increase our faith as we seek to discern God’s
will.
Fellowship
with God is the focus of chapter 8. Starting with the basic premise that we are
better able to know God’s will through increased fellowship with the Almighty,
this chapter explores powerful ways in which we can experience this fellowship.
Then, chapter 9 exhorts us to know God’s will by considering the input of
others through discussion. It provides a consideration of various situations in
which discussion and outside input are essential to learning the will of
God.
Finally, in
chapter 10 the connection between common sense and understanding God’s will is
explored through a refreshing question-and-answer format. The answers to these
thought-provoking questions solidify the base of knowledge presented in the
entire book.
Through the
information and the spiritual insight contained within these ten chapters, it is
my hope that Interpreting the Will of God will provide readers with keys for
knowing God’s plan for their lives and having the confidence to accept the
divine will of God.
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