Woke Christians

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Contemporary slang dictionaries define “woke” as ‘politically and socially aware.’

I would like to propose another perspective on what it means to me as a student of scripture.

To me, this is what it means to be a “woke” person of faith:

They had abused rights, privileges, and others historically if not personally. They had diluted their values by adopting the ethical and moral practices of the people around them.

So, they separated themselves from those influences and they confessed generational sin.

We are blessed when we do the same.

“…Then those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors. “ Ezra 9:1ff

Awareness of history in its undiluted form that recognized historical sin and misconceptions is essential for learning not to make the same mistakes. It also adds to our understanding of how we came to where we are and what it might take to correct our courses.

When we are awakened spiritually, historically, politically, mentally, and socially, we perform with intention and lead with compassion.

Misconceptions about our heroic past do need to be corrected, but heroes may still be heroes in their realm; they are just not perfect.

Platitudes and truisms are seen as inadequate, and we ask the questions necessary to know if we are speaking the real truth or perpetrating myths and assumptions.

We must go for the essence, the radical roots, the core, the spirit that transcends tradition, and sheds religious baggage, the good news that liberates.

We are warned:

“So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. “ — from Matthew 15:1–20

So, we question tradition, and we reject empire when it calls for our full loyalty. ‘Christendom’ is a watered-down substitute for Christianity and is filtered through a filter of political power and influence.

What I just said looks political and it is to some extent. It appears ‘woke,’ but it is far more.

There is a scripture word that speaks to empire:

“For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxury.” — from Revelation 18

All empires fall!

Every idolatrous power that oppresses, falls until all fall.

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor. He called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! “ Revevation 18:1 ff.

Furthermore, we reject violence, the violence of individuals and that of nations.

All violence is terrifying and intimidating, wielding illegitimate power in an attempt to subjugate.

That includes mass violence and domestic violence.

It’s all terrorism.

Lay down your weapons, fists and guns and follow the Prince of Peace.

That is also the ‘woke’ Christian message.

To be ‘woke’ is to be awakened to the realities around us and the Spirit within us. It is also to be awakened to wonder and the uncertainties in our hearts.

Justice and fairness for all is an awakened mindset.

So is food for the hungry, housing for the unhoused, opportunity for the disenfranchised, rehabilitation for the fallen, and mercy for the sinner.

A small dose of agnosticism (AKA — not knowing all the answers “about” God) can be a huge faith booster in seeking God with an open heart and mind.

“Seek and you will find.”

Jesus said that.

That is just territory for exploration … or leaving a crack in the door.

A word of caution for the believing and awakened soul:

The activist of our time needs to cultivate the inner life, the place of contemplation and meditation which I call prayer.

“Experience the tender glance of God.” .- Father Greg Boyle

“Step into the wideness of God.” — Father Greg Boyle

As we make our minds available to be stretched beyond capacity, we start to comprehend that which is beyond comprehension.

‘Woke’ believers are a source of irritation because they do not shut up. They challenge assumptions and presuppositions. They shake up our sense of priorities. They may align with those others deem villains and shun their traditional allies.

While we all must spend more time listening than speaking, we cannot be silent about things that matter.

Speak your mind and heart, but first run them both, through the cleansing flame and sifter of truth and love. Destroy false ideas with the sword of your mouth, but do not harm people.

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.” — Matthew 15:18

It may seem harsh at times when we are making corrections. One great arena of potential for offense is when we correct misconceptions about God which lead people to form all sorts of flawed views about the world and make bad policy.

My friend Phil Skei said, in a sermon, a few years ago, “Every form of evil begins with a lie about what God said.”

Point that out and you will offend some friends including people you respect and hold dear.

Fail to point that out and people may reject Jesus without even understanding who he is.

Representing God and the truth of God in the world is the most awesome, awful, and awe-inspiring work of the ‘woke” believer.

I should stop pretty soon or you may get the impression that I have said all that there is to say. Not at hall have I. I do not even know all there is to know and say, only a bit and this is a bit of that bit.

I know I have been playing with language that is in dispute, but language is a living thing with strong roots that are set in the past. I know that one work of God’s grace is to awaken the human heart. So I encourage us all to be receptive to that.

“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” — Ephesian 5:14