David Platt: ‘As a White Pastor I have Blind Spots. So I am Part of the Problem’
In a recently unearthed sermon clip from 2018, SBC Pastor and former International Mission Board President David Platt described how because he has white skin, he has blind spots when teaching the scriptures.
Platt was last seen telling congregation members if they were upset and contemplating breaking fellowship with other congregants who were promoting, working for, or voting for the pro-baby-killing Democratic party, then perhaps they should leave.
In this clip, however, he describes himself as “part of the problem” of racial injustice. Platt earnestly vows to teach on issues in the bible pertinent to black congregation members too, and not just white members as perhaps he’s done in the past.
He condemns church growth ideology that says he should not speak on race issues and affirms that it’s important to declare that white people are part of the problem when it comes to those very issues. He says:
I want to sacrifice more of my preferences as a white pastor. I need to grow. And my laying aside of preferences for members of this body because I want Christ to be exalted through increasing diversity in our leadership and our membership.
On a related note, I do not want to speak from the bible on issues that are popular among white followers of Christ while staying silent in the bible on issues that are important to the non-white followers of Christ. That’s not faithful pastoring.
I actually read this week how studies have shown that white church leaders are less likely to speak and act prophetically on race issues because white church leaders have more to lose when they do. Basically, if you want to draw a crowd in general, stay away from racial issues.And if you want to draw a crowd of white people or black people or this type of person or that type of person then stay away from saying any one of those types of people is part of the problem on racial issues.
Because the reality is many people mainly want to be comforted when they come to church, and as people, we’re naturally drawn to that which brings the most benefit with the least cost.
So if you give people a choice between the church of comfort and the church of comfort but you need to make sacrifices to charge your life, people will choose the church of comfort most every time. Which is why we’ve designed so much of the church culture the way we have today.It’s why we’re so prone not to talk about issues that are uncomfortable to us and I just want to see the bible doesn’t give us that option. Like Amos 5 doesn’t give us that option. We cannot truly worship God while we stay silent on injustice in all kinds of areas.
And I know as a white pastor I have blind spots. So I am part of the problem. I need friends and fellow pastors around me from different ethnicities who help me see those blind spots.
And I’m committed to listening and learning and loving- laying aside whatever contemporary church growth methodology says the best way to grow the church. I ignore the issues. I want to do the exact opposite. I want us to hear God’s word clearly on these issues and then we can trust him with the growth of this church.
David Platt is right about one thing: he is a part of the problem, but not in the way he thinks.
H/T to @WokepreacherTV for the clip
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“I actually read this week how studies have shown that white church leaders are less likely to speak and act prophetically on race issues because white church leaders have more to lose when they do.“ Get woke, go broke. Go ask the Episcopalians. And since when do Baptists “speak prophetically?” Is Platt going all NAR on us?
At least he’s less about blaming everyone else like JD Geear (*WE* “the church” have sinned) and some others do, and mostly dumps his neurosis back on himself. I’m so disappointed in Platt. But if you think you’re a racist and you can’t help but vomit your sin out to the world in blathering public confessions and you don’t think repentance is enough then resign.
We can see everywhere in society that the mindset is that God is Dead. Politicians, Hollyweird, Music, Schools, everywhere, we are bombarded by the notion that there is no Holy One, no Christ. We are now seeing the last stand, the Church. The Christ-less false teacher trying to kill God in His Church! It is so weird to see these magicians! I must admit, I was taken aback a few years ago, some of these magicians have preached well, some know the word in and out. Then all of a sudden, they are the most political of creatures. At first I was appalled, could not believe it. Then, I realized, we have been warned of this, from Old to New Testament, we have been warned. Now, I rejoice that God is showing so many of us to continue in His Word, forget the clamor of the world, love our Saviour. Contemplate the beauty and majesty of our God. Our Sovereign King, be Exalted!
To all who think they are ‘part of the problem’ – “I know that you are writing to me as part of a group who have; ‘white privilege and who have benefitted from systemic racism.’ Yes I am ‘white’ and yes I have benefitted from privilege some earned and some not – guilty as charged. But that person died when he was born again; “. . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) God no longer holds my sins against me. God forgives me; “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7) Maybe you can find it in your heart to let go of my past sins as well. Jesus tells us he came to provide freedom from the collective and vicarious trauma you are experiencing (Luke 4:18). And forgiveness is a crucial part of that freedom (Matthew 6:14,15)
https://scrapbookwithtony.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/this-christians-response-to-what-i-need-from-white-people/
Platt has been a false teacher for years now. Terrible theology and doctrine. Not surprising to see that he’s an anti-White marxist as well.
I have one question, how come you post all these Pastors or others that you disagree with but never post who the Staff Writer is. Before condemning someone else on your opinion take your own advise and read the Bible.
Matthew 7:1-5 KJV Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
James 4:11-12 KJV Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Don’t believe what the mainstream media is only showing you. Do some research and you will learn that Trump will have a second term, it’s not over yet.
I HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR A NEW ACCREDITED COLLEGE COURSE “COMPARATIVE RACIAM” I WILL FORWARD PROPOSAL/PROPOSED COURSE SYLLABUS/MY THESIS FOR ESTABLISHING THIS COURSE. ALSO I HAVE A PAPER “FEAR OF ACADEMIA AND MEDIA TO ADDRESS BLACK RACISM”. I AM AVAILABLE TO LECTURE/DEBATE MY PROPOSAL , AND THE IMPACT OF “RACE SPECIFIC INSTITUTIONS” AKA “HBCU’S” HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES, AND THEIR SKILLFUL USE OF “A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE”. HOW COULD ANYONE DISAGREE WITH THAT DECLARATION, EXCEPT THAT THIS IS MEANT FOR BLACK STUDENTS ONLY AND AS AN AID IN THEIR EFFORTS TO KEEP “HBCU’S” AS “RSI’S, RACE SPECIFIC INSTITUTIONS” AND THE REAL UNDERLYING GOAL TO REMAIN OVERWHELMING BLACK, PREFERRABLY , TOTALLY BLACK , NOT ONLY IN STUDENTS, ADMINISTRATION,FACULTY ,CAMPUS SERVICE PERSONNEL, BUT ASLO IN CAMPUS AND SOCIETAL CULTURE AND A PRIMARY ANTI WHITE CURRICULUM DISGUISED AS AFRO AMERICAN STUDIES.