Race and Responsibility
September 18, 2006
Phil, thanks for raising the question about covenantal contexts and responsibility with regard to race. I think you may have landed here on a genuine disagreement between us.
My fear is that in having such an expansive understanding of "covenant" the concept becomes almost meaningless, stretched beyond its breaking point. Yes, the family is structured covenantally. But am I in covenantal relationship with the people on my street--my district--my city--my county--my state--my country? As a caucasian, am I in covenantal relationship with other whites? Or does my partly Italian heritage make me in covenantal relationship with other Italians? Is my (African American) son in covenantal relationship with other blacks?
My fear is that in having such an expansive understanding of "covenant" the concept becomes almost meaningless, stretched beyond its breaking point. Yes, the family is structured covenantally. But am I in covenantal relationship with the people on my street--my district--my city--my county--my state--my country? As a caucasian, am I in covenantal relationship with other whites? Or does my partly Italian heritage make me in covenantal relationship with other Italians? Is my (African American) son in covenantal relationship with other blacks?