Legacy: Wisdom of African Traditions and the Bible

I am reminded of an early conversation I had with a wise clergywoman as I began an effort to uncover racism in our particular segment of the larger Church. We were going to identify ourselves as a group looking at race and “reconciliation” in our named geographical location of our larger denomination. I was advised by this pillar in our Church, to take some time to reconsider the word “reconciliation” for those of African descent, as in most of our circumstances, we had never ‘conciled’ in the first place. In the Hebrew, “kaphar” means to cover; to atone or condone; to placate or cancel. In other more modern words, to pay back or repair.

As I picked up this manuscript, first of all, not to read but to put the pages in their proper order, I saw and felt the reconciliation of humanity amongst these pages. It became clear that we are one creation, and though we may come in different languages, forms, and cultural distinctions, our purpose here is to sustain life, to respect the created order, and to share our gifts, or reparations with all, but especially those whom have been offended. To offend creation is to offend the Creator, who proclaimed “they are like us!”