The African Ancestors of Jesus

In a way, that is what happened. That said, it is an error to pretend Jesus was of African heritage. His lineage is fairly well documented in the Bible (He was Jewish).

Think of it this way, if Jesus were an American today our culture would be demanding He renounce His "White privilege" (even though there is no evidence of White or Black ancestry).

There is a reason Jesus was ethnically Jewish. Scripture goes in detail establishing this. There are no "non-Hebrew" ancestors listed in Mary's line (or Joseph's, for that matter). God chose a people because they were the weakest to demonstrate His glory.

The question to ask is why some feel the need to create a "Jesus myth" that incorporates their racial identity (wheather White or Black). I have seen this mentality with the KKK in the late 70's (insisting Jesus was White and not Jewish) and more recently (over the past couple of decades) with some Black groups. I understand the desire to incorporate Christ into a cultural group with which one identifies - BUT this is wrong. It is backwards. Rather than changing Christ into our racial group we are changed into His (into a chosen race of believers).

List the non-Hebrew ancestors of Mary if you don't believe me. There are none.

This would not be important except for two things -

1. A White or Black ancestor of Christ would invalidate Scripture (it would add to Scripture and make Christinity a contemporary "Christiam myth").

2. A non-Hebrew ancestory would compromise the a major OT theme regarding a "chosen race" through which a broader people would be grafted in as branches were discarded.

 

I agree ancestory goes past Abraham. But with the Hebrew people the lineage is typically to Abraham and points to a specific people (descendents of Abraham through Jacob).

Ruth was from Moab (they a descendent of Lot).

Rehab was a Canaanite (there is no Cannanite race).

They were not Hebrews, however ethnically they were Semitic (they were the same race....i.e , skin color....but not of the same nationality...i.e., not descendents of Jacob).

 

"Burnished bronze" (or "brass") "when it has been refined in a furnace" (Rev. 1:15) is bright. Burnished bronze refers to the state of the metal (polished). In the furnace it is bright white. It is a refining process used in making bronzed (often religious) items.

The passage is referring to God's glory, not His racial identity.

In the 70's I saw the KKK take the same method of interpretation to make Jesus White. Racial appropriation is never a good thing.

 

I do not mean to sound "anti" here, and hope I don't. I know there are good people caught up in racism and-or racial identity issues (whether White, Black, or Purple).

It is natural for people to identify and even unite through things they have in common (for the lost - cultural identity, economic states, race, etc., and for the Christian, Christ).

And I realize there is still the World in us (the "old man). But we need to be in the process of killing this "old man" rather than embracing him.

This thread brings to mind racism of the past where racist groups were anti-Semitic, presented Christ as a White man, and Black people under the curse of Cain. It was ignorant, foolish, and really racist - the "old man" (sin) alive and well in the hearts of otherwise decent people (and often, Christians).

Now I see this exact same ignorant foolishness, really racism, springing up in racial identity politics which interprets everything (including the ancient past) through the superficial lens of race.

The difference between White washing and Black washing is black and white. So is the similarly. Literally - they are the same sin.

 

The "Burnished bronze" is a reference, BTW, to the Temple (pots, ect.), referring to material and refining.

Here is an example:



What we refer to as the color "burnished bronze" is antiqued bronze. But in Scripture "burnished bronze" was a polished refined bronze....very much like polished brass (which is a fairly close material).

Those who have seen polished bronze candle holders know what I am talking about here. In color we'd say white if in the furnace and gold once polished.

 

Facts??? We don't need no stinking facts!

 

As the OP is now perma-banned, this thread is now closed.