The Cost of Lament

On Monday we looked at how a lot of (predominantly White, evangelical) theology refuses to look at parts of scripture that name structural injustices, choosing to focus instead only on individual sins. On Tuesday we looked at how often (especially White American) readers love to identify with the oppressed in the very bible stories where we should be identifying with the oppressors. Today we look at a third reason why those influenced heavily by White, evangelical theology sanitize the messy parts of scripture: facing reality calls for deep lament, and lament is costly.

Today, listen in to the wisdom of Soong-Chan Rah as he reflects on this:

The evangelical culture moves too quickly to praise from lament. We do not hear from all of the voices in the North American evangelical context. Instead, we opt for quick and easy answers to complex issues. We want to move on to the happier message of success and triumph and cover up the message of those who suffer…

Lament calls for an authentic encounter with the truth and challenges privilege, because privilege would hide the truth that creates discomfort.

― Soong-Chan Rah, Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times

How will you respond to these insights? Take some time today to reflect on God’s challenging words to the religious systems in the time of Amos. This rebuke was not given to an individual, but to a whole enterprise, and it was an invitation to lament for how broken that system was. For those of us who are BIPOC, LGBTQ, or in other ways have been historically marginalized by the church, perhaps there is hope in here for us - that God sees the pain we’ve been through and is committed to setting things right.

I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me…
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

• Amos 5:21-24