Minnow wrote:
The problem of 17/18th century African (Black) slavery is that it does not carry the same definition as the term used in Scripture.

Take this as kindly as possible...

Are you saying that the slavery of Israel in Egypt was a lesser slavery? or that the enslavement of some by Israel was not what it was in the days of American slavery? or that the bondage of those captives in Babylon was not really enslavement? I don't quite understand what you're saying.

I think there has been a lot of propaganda making the enslavement of some Africans the worst in history. It's not. And many blacks at present have benefited by the VERY unfortunate suffering of their ancestors. Just LOOK at the state of Africa today! They're killing each other and starving (there are exceptions). South Africa has become a h-e-l-l hole.

White people have been enslaved too at times by other white people and nonwhite people that too was ordained by God. Roman's didn't care about your color neither did Egyptians or Russians. All the world and "peoples" have at one time or other been enslaved by others and all under the sovereignty of God (St. Patrick too).

Thanks for the very sweet response, I wrote it 1. to bring a little levity to the discussion and 2. to point out that life isn’t easy for most (I too have had far deeper troubles than those mentioned).

Race should not be an issue within the true Church of God. God places each individual in the time, place and situation they are in for a reason. If you belong to God, know it is for your GOOD whatever the circumstances, for ALL things work together for good to those who love God who are the Called according to HIS purpose (?). If you belong not to God, it is for judgment even if you have it “good” in this life, you will be judged for unbelief and unthankful ness in addition to your many other sins.

Adversity should make the believer grow in understanding and strength of faith as Joseph and Job, but NEVER are we promised a life free from sorrows in fact I find that there was great sadness on the part of many of the godly in this life (those persons in Bible), but their hope was in the life to come. Remember, Christ was NOT concerned for the socio/political condition of the Israelites, He came not to free them from the tyranny of Rome, but to free them spiritually and in that way, regardless the circumstances, they would have/know peace.

When I was 12-16 I was terribly treated by blacks, whites, Mexicans, male and female, why? because I had frizzy, red hair and lots of freckles, I was slightly over weight and I was poor! Now, you try growing up in sunny California in the 1980's looking like THAT!

It took me years to get over it, but a job, hair straigtener, sun screen and areobics really did the trick... now I'm nearly 4-0 and quite attractive, just ask my husband.

Rev. Wright's sermon is only shocking to American's in that

1. He was blantly racist, which to most American's is the worst sin you commit

2. He assulted America's false notion that WE are specially annointed by God to be the great liberators of the world and spreaders of western-style democracy

The majority care little about his core theology because they care little for God.

I'm aware of Arminians who worked with the Catholic churches to persecute/execute Calvinists, but haven't heard about the converse.