I did a google search to see if I could find a definition of “woke.” Google describes “woke” as being “alert to injustice in society, especially racism.” I think that fits well with my view of the Bible and teaching of Jesus. But that wasn’t the end of it, the next line read, "we need to stay angry, and stay woke".
This causes hesitation about the wokeness movement and expectations, or demands it makes. I wonder at the practice of being woke, and what it actually looks like in the real world.
Let’s back up for a minute. Woke describes a very needful awareness to the reality and experience of racism in our country. We can wrestle over the messages; but underlying call is to be aware of the experience of others that may be very different than me. Woke is an odd term, as it means that someone has awoken to something new. A new understanding or new truth. That sounds pretty good.
It has also become a weaponized term to describe something that someone is, so to criticize them, or what someone isn’t, to shame them.
Divisiveness has been around a long time. Racism is a sin. As a follower of Jesus, I want to be aware of and see the sin around me and do all I can to encourage righteousness and stand for justice. I have brothers and sisters of many ethnicities who are the same. But words carry meaning, labels often don’t help, and movements become burdened with many agendas. Some are hidden and some are blatant, but they often mess with a clear meaning. Therefore, we need to be wise, Biblical, thoughtful and courageous.
Is Woke compatible with Christianity?
I would prefer not to use the term, but to resonate with the message that people matter to God and how I respond to people matters to God (Genesis 12, Matthew 25, Acts 2). I preached a MESSAGE where we studied how God designed humanity with wonderful diversity and the need to hold a Biblical understanding that all people are made in the Image of God, the Imago Dei.
"I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3
The Bible also clearly communicates the importance of justice. God is the God of justice. Acquiring and applying a Biblical view of justice is imperative. As a faithful follower of Jesus, we need to see, listen and care about the hurts around us without losing our bearings in Biblical truth.
"When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." Proverbs 21:15
Personally, I do not use the term woke, nor do I accuse anyone of being woke in an attempt to discredit them. I avoid trying to assess people’s wokeness, I cannot judge the heart.
Proactively, I seek to listen and learn. I read and step into conversations to gain understanding from other perspectives. I study the Scriptures and pray.
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12
