Overall, this is a very sad chapter for American evangelicals. It would be sadder still if the mess was swept under the rug and forgotten about. I think we see some willingness to engage (Zondervan has taken some proactive steps) and I pray that the authors will emerge out of this with a willingness to talk about their experience and learnings (but with the grace given that they may need some time to work through this issue).

I’m using the Eastern Orth. tradition of the social model of the Trinity – the ontological dialectic of 100% man / 100% God – that is to say, the ontological Triunity of God provides us not only with a communitarian vision but a dialectic for a social vision, that is to say, the lowering of a higher class (incarnation) but also the raising of a lower class (ascension).

The problem with the angry asian discussion thus far is that it has quickly adopted the language of the social sciences, a starting point that is suspect and quickly deconstructed (and thus dismissed) by the perceiving eye. Think how easy it is for us to toss around words like “white privilege”, “glass-ceiling”, “systemic”. The result is that an important discussion becomes semiotically foreign at best and bitterly polemical at worst.

What’s needed are asian american theologians who are able to tackle this from a more robust starting point. OK, call it giving into the Western theological hegemony, that argument has been going on for millenia, and frankly it will never win. I can count on one hand prominent theologians off the top of my head who are attempting this divorcing from Christianity’s philosophical beginnings and I can say they are sharpening their own stakes they’ll end up on.

In the end I appeal to the Trinity because it carries the gravity of several church Councils, Patristic writings, and current theological renewal. The Trinity (in its social model) is the perfect dialectic that lowers God but also raises man. We’re not askign for more charity; we’re asking for representation – and that’s what the ascension of Christ into the community that is called “God” is all about.

Love to hear your thoughts.

But, being raised evangelical (as I was) isn’t enough for me to need to hold on so tightly, either.

I think, ultimately, I’m ready to move on. I don’t mean forgetting about the issue, but we need to start taking next steps rather than continue to dwell on the objections.

i feel like i recognize your names from many of the blog comments i have read in the past few weeks. i can’t tell you how much i appreciated your comments and your support. please keep doing what you’re doing and thanks for dropping by the blog. i hope to meet you all someday~

btw, i think this blog fits that whole point (or strives to, anyway), don’t you think? i think you really bring that edge to the discussion here.

i commend you. i dont know how you, prof. rah, kathy, eugene, and all other asian american voices and leaders in this mess keep going with energy, grace, patience, love, truth, humility, etc etc etc.

these are my people doing this to you, and i feel responsible to speak back to them, but i dont possess the fruits of the spirit as so many of the asian american voices and leaders do in this. i just want to say, “Shut the heck up you trolls! you don’t get it and you are making it worse!” to so many blog comments, as opposed to taking the time and sweet love to explain yet again, probably to no avail. and i am not even the target of their racism and oppression.

blessings on all who are involved. may christ be glorified.

that isn’t to say that these problems won’t go away, but won’t we continue to be frustrated with our white evangelical siblings unless we create a story for ourselves?

For me, what’s been a little discouraging is that most Asian-Americans I’ve polled understand the issue of racial insensitivity and how being silent won’t help the cause, yet the common response I hear back is, “I don’t know how much of my time & energy I should be devoting to this cause.” It’s as if people have given up before anything even really got started.

I’m still trying to find my voice in all of this and whether or not it is a voice that should be heard. I just feel in my heart that it if I don’t come alongside guys like you and help set the record straight, not many others will. Having lived a lifetime of racism and prejudice and thinking Asian-Americans can be too sensitive at times, I dream of a world in which my daughters could raise their children someday and not know the deep pain of racism. Not just for my daughters, but for children of every color.

I hesitate writing this for the sake of the backlash, but I must agree that your cynical perspective expresses thoughts I’ve had in regards to this matter, but just consciously chose not to write out in detail for fear of what others would think. For me, a position of grace in the blogosphere, yet knowing deep down the reality of the situation and using it to fuel my desire to set the record straight is the path I’ve been trying to follow. I respect you for letting it all hang out there and answering the critics one-at-a-time for the sake of clarity. Your eloquence and courage humble me. Thank you!