Over the past five years, I have watched and read Thabiti Anyabwile as a representative of 9Marks and the Gospel Coalition. Thabiti serves as a pastor in Washington, D.C. In the past he also served as a pastor in churches in North Carolina and the Cayman Islands. Over the past several years, Thabiti has been outspoken regarding racism, white privilege, reconciliation, and other concerns related to race relations.
I have met him only once; therefore, I do not know him. I only know him from his extensive writing. I have never criticized him publicly in writing. I have asked some to help explain his positions to me so that I was not either unnecessarily frustrated, exasperated, or offended by him. Knowing his friends and associations, I have assumed that I just simply either misunderstood him or the circumstances of which he spoke. As I have read him, to say the least, at times I was both confused and concerned by his tone and response to other brothers and sisters in Christ. I was particularly concerned because we were both writing about similar issues (i.e., Ferguson).
With that introduction, let me suggest that I appreciate his letter of apology for what it is. I still do not understand all his positions and look forward to some future time of better interaction with him. However, his spirit of grace and humility are lessons for all of us in public ministry.
From a Spirit of Humility and Authenticity
I want to both commend Thabiti as well as accept his request for forgiveness. You can read his entire article at this link.
He asked to be forgiven, I forgive him.
I want to highlight a couple of key components of his request for forgiveness.
- He was not compelled by others to seek forgiveness, only by the Holy Spirit.
- He identified his heart motive and sinful thoughts, motives, and actions.
- He explained how it was a sin against God.
- He further explained how it was a sin against those to whom he wrote.
- He sought to explain how repentance and change will look going forward.
As one who interacts on both the web and social media, I read his request for forgiveness with empathy. As a fellow Christian, I read it with empathy as well, like we all should. In both those contexts (as a writer and Christian), I recognize where I too am weak, potentially blind, and misrepresent the words, motives, and actions of Christ.
To a Spirit of ??
As I read some of the responses to his article, I read some words of grace and others of harsh critique still yet.
Friends who may have struggled with Thabiti in the past, recognize there is a difference between forgiveness and agreement. There are issues that you may want clarification on or would like to discuss further. It is possible to pick through his request for forgiveness and wordsmith it. However, those issues should not keep you from offering him complete forgiveness related to what he has said, how he said it, what he knew when he said it, and his timing to seek forgiveness. He has asked forgiveness for his mode and manner of communication. Substantial differences or perceived differences of theology and/or personal preference should not stand in the way of a humble response of forgiveness toward him.
We forgive him motivated by the forgiveness of Christ to us because he has asked as our brother in Christ to be forgiven.
My Prayer
May God be glorified in my spirit as I read others with whom I at least misunderstand or wonder about their own heart motives – as I did Thabiti. May I treat each of them with compassion, kindness, and be motivated by a desire to understand them better.
In my own life, I commend Robert Kellemen who is a living example of this type of response toward others. I have learned from him and continue to do so. This week, add Thabiti Anyabwile as one from whom I have learned and profited.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together