Auburn Avenue
Position Statement on Slavery,
the South, and Racism
Slavery and the South: We believe that any race-based system of slavery, past or present, is an abomination and cannot be
defended by anyone who takes the Bible seriously. Slavery is always
attended with many evils and is never the ideal for any man or society. We
believe the institution of slavery as it existed in this country prior to 1865
did not follow the Biblical requirements and therefore cannot be defended and
certainly should never be resurrected.
We believe the War between the States was a distinct judgment not only upon the
South but upon the entire country. The sins of manstealing
and unbiblical slavery were only two of many sins committed by our nation.
These sins were accompanied by lust for power, arrogance, racial pride,
covenant breaking, and many other sins in our society, which together brought
down God’s righteous judgment. As a result, the entire country suffered God’s
judgment and has yet to recover its former honor.
Racism: “Racism”— the belief that one race is inherently superior
to others— has been around since the fall of Adam. Racism is an unavoidable
fruit of pride, selfishness, and the self-centeredness of unbelief. It is a
form of Pharisaism and is condemned in the Scriptures
from front to back. The only effective enemy of racism is Christianity.
Biblical Christianity teaches that all men are created by God, made after His
image; all men are fallen in sin and utterly helpless to transform themselves
apart from God’s grace; and all men can be redeemed in Christ, made whole and
complete in Him. Jesus is the Savior of the world, not simply of a particular
ethnic or racial group. With the
Scriptures, we condemn and denounce racism.
Our goal at Auburn Avenue
Presbyterian Church is
to see a Christianized world where there is “one flock, one shepherd.” We
desire to see a world that rejoices in lawful diversity, hates all sin and
uncleanness, and is bound together in love for the Great Shepherd of the sheep,
following His voice wherever He leads. This is our calling (Matthew 28:18-20),
and we gladly devote our efforts and energy to fulfilling this commission.
Unanimously
adopted by the Session of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church on
J. Steven Wilkins, Moderator M. Dale Peacock, Stated Clerk
*
Explanatory Note:
A word of explanation is in order why the Session deemed it prudent to approve
this position statement on racism and slavery and why we would go to the trouble
of saying something we have never denied and, in fact, have affirmed over
and over both publicly and privately. Unfortunately, slanderous material has
been distributed in the neighborhood and over the Internet charging our teaching
elder with desiring to re-institute slavery. These slanders strike against
the ministries and beliefs of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church and all of
her elders. For this reason, the Session deemed it prudent to adopt this limited
statement addressing its position on slavery and racism.