Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your mind” (1 Kings 18:21)!

These words are in your Bible, that is, if you haven’t torn them out.

These words were shared by the prophet Elijah during the pinnacle exchange of his life atop Mount Carmel. The people had been accused of being flimsy and fallible. Elijah responded, “Enough is enough.” 

Likewise, another prophet from the 20th century shared these same sentiments. Towering literary voice, playwright and activist James Baldwin wrote and published his electrifying work “The Fire Next Time” in 1963. 

Baldwin’s groundbreaking opus sparked an incandescent exploration of the tangled web of race relations in America, fueling a fervent plea for sweeping societal metamorphosis. He wrote with moral clarity and with the fire of righteous indignation. 

Baldwin brandished his words as torches in this radiant anthology of essays, exposing the entrenched biases and inequities that lurk beneath the veneer of American society. With an unwavering commitment to truth-telling, Baldwin confronted the hypocrisy and downright heresy of a nation built on the intimidation, manipulation and exploitation of black bodies. He even set out to expose the spiritual bankruptcy of the North American church. 

Baldwin spoke of his time in the church as a period of transformation and enlightenment. The church was both a sanctuary and a battleground where he sought refuge from the racial injustices of the world while also confronting the hypocrisy and limitations of organized religion. He reflected on the dichotomy of the Black church, which served as a source of strength and resilience for African Americans yet often perpetuated a narrow interpretation of God and salvation.

His time spent in church was a crucible of self-discovery, where he wrestled with the ubiquitous dichotomies of love and hate, hope and despair. He set out to challenge conventional notions of spirituality and admonished readers to strive for holistic engagement with the Divine. 

A compelling assertion from Baldwin’s writing resonated deeply with me: “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him.”  

During my junior year at a quaint private college nestled in the rural expanse of Indiana, those words first captivated my attention. As I grappled with profound theological inquiries, I realized I needed to dwell on this statement further, allowing its significance to permeate my thoughts.

Fast forward two years later, having now concluded my inaugural year pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at a historically black theological institution and on the cusp of ordination as a Baptist preacher, I revisited this profound assertion, only to find myself once more deeply moved by its resonance. Following extensive periods of prayer, diligent reading, introspective writing, and grappling with intense questions, I reached a point where it felt as though I had unearthed the ideal means to eloquently articulate my convictions regarding God, as well as establish a steadfast framework for my beliefs moving forward.

Isn’t it fascinating? A Baptist preacher, unafraid to encapsulate his doctrinal perspective in a fervent and captivating statement not sourced from the 66 books of the Bible. 

Yet, I am transparent in acknowledging my reverence for African American literature as a form of scripture. This doesn’t entail a complete dismissal of the Christian canon. Still, it reflects my belief that the voice of God continues to resonate beyond the pages of scripture, echoing in every space where hearts are receptive and ears are attuned.

As I immersed myself in the pages of “The Fire Next Time,” I sensed a divine prompting, urging me to embrace this prophetic voice’s wisdom and enshrine its insights within the arsenal of my spiritual journey. In my perception, Baldwin’s words are akin to the prophetic utterances of Elijah, echoing the challenge: “If God be God.” As I delved into those pages, I discerned Baldwin’s call, analogous to an admonition directed towards the North American church, urging introspection and self-examination.

Contemplate the distance we’ve traversed. Reflect on our past identities. Engage in a profound sifting process to ascertain whether the dogmas that once defined us still possess the transformative potency to liberate us.

Through these words, I questioned whether the faith or doctrine commonly dubbed as “old-time religion” sufficed for my journey. From the moment I first laid hands on “The Fire Next Time” until now, I must assert that this conventional notion of “old-time religion” falls short of my aspirations. Consequently, echoing the prophets of old, I now declare, “If God be God.”

If God be God, I must rid myself of the “old time way”: the old time way of capitalism, the old time way of sexism, the old time way of homophobia and transphobia, the old time way of spiritual bypassing and manipulation, and the old time way of Christian supremacy.  For if the God in whom I believe is a God of justice, equity, and love, then this God must take priority in my life and ministry.