007 An Advent Carol week 2: The Ghost of Christmas Past, systemic church racism, white privilege theology, and why we can't breathe

Episode 007 An Advent Carol week 2:  The Ghost of Christmas Past, systemic church racism, white privilege theology, and why we can't breatheThis week, the second week of Advent, we continue our Advent podcast theme: Scrooge and the Church.We are joined by James, a seminarian, writer, and freedom fighter, who shares his truth, perspective, and insights to help us talk about the history of the church...and talk about why neither of us Church Hoppers really learned the truth of it growing up in white Protestant America. We talk about recent protests, and why the church isn't talking about them.  We talk about the seduction of "neutrality" in moral issues and societal challenges (while drinking the wine of the day, "Seduction").  James introduces us and the listeners to the idea of a "middle passage" theology how the church has solidified white privilege in the church.  We face the ghosts of our past, all the way back to a Jew 2000 years ago who died a victim of police brutality...and we discuss whether or not change will come.Below are a list of the blogs written by James that are referenced in the podcast...they are the best Advent devotional reading you will do this year:Strange Fruit that Hangs from American SeminariesBenjamin Watson, Sin Cannot be Homogenized #FergusonTransforming Riots into Redemptive MovementsWhy Do You Strike Me? A Christological Exploration of Police Brutality.Don’t Invite Me to the Table (Allow Me to Help You Turn it over and Take it out): Why the Word Reconciliation Makes Me Want to HollerThe Miracle of a Muddy Messiah: A #staywokeadvent Reflection of Mark 1:1-8For some OFFICIAL views of the theological implications of the social justice and civil rights movements happening across the country right now, go talk to the protesters in the streets and check out James' website jameshhilljr.com as well as his twitter account @j_hilljr, and the twitter account for Theology of Ferguson @faithinferguson.We want to give away even more FREE shot glasses for Christmas this year...just share our Episode status update from the Church Hoppers Podcast Facebook page and then message the page with an address for us to ship your shot glass!