#46 DO WE STAND OR NOT STAND

#46 DO WE STAND OR NOT STAND

FOR THE “HALLELUJAH” CHORUS?

BY

Vernon M. Herron

Christmas has come and gone. Yet there lingers a haunting question which needs addressing. More than 250 years ago, George Frederick Handel developed an oratorio called the “Messiah” of which the “Hallelujah Chorus” was its ending and climax. When that chorus is sung, even today, generally the audience will stand. WHY? Let us explore this question to see if we can arrive at a historic truth.



For 82 years, I have heard the Hallelujah Chorus. When I was 12 years of age, I first heard this famous piece of work rendered by the community and combined choirs of the renowned Ebenezer Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC under the direction of the late Hazel L. Miller. The thing that startled me was that everybody stood when the first few measures of the chorus started. Now at 82, on Christmas Sunday, I heard this famous rendition again as sung by the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church choir of Charlotte. Again everybody stood. Having a “standing endurance” problem, I remained seated until I heard the last syllable of the last word “hal-le-lu-jah.”



From my youth , I wanted to know, why stand when George Fredrick Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus of the “Messiah” is rendered? Here are my conclusions:

Some stand out of ignorance; they don’t know why. Others are doing so, now one follows.



Some stand out of respect for its musical, biblical and theological significance. The music contains movements, crescendos, repeats and keys which intrigues musical knowledge and grips the soul. Theologically, the chorus is comforting, affirming and prophetic. One only has to read the text as to be caught up in a state of spiritual ecstasy: Note the text of the chorus and the theological implications.



Hallelujah!!!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev. 19:6)

The kingdoms of this world are become

The kingdoms of our Lord

And of his Christ.

And He shall reign forever and ever. (Rev. 11:15)

King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev. 14:16)

Hallelujah!!



Then some stand out of tradition. Since this is a custom, a habit is formed.

But standing out of tradition has a historic significance. Even though there is no certainty of reason surrounding the custom of standing for the Hallelujah Chorus, the following might be considered. Being the protocol that people stand when a monarch stands, the audience and orchestra stood, a custom that remains to this day. And why did King George II stand?



According to Monty Bennett:

• The reasons are not known but are thought to be one of the following:

o King George II stood thinking that the performance was over.

o He was so moved by the performance that he stood to his feet.

o He stood out of tribute to Handel, the composer.

o He stood out of respect, showing that he is a subject of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.



The next time George Fredrick Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus is sung, somebody give me a hand and help me to stand. Will you?

#45 - Still Watching...

This is a repost by popular demand.

T H E “W A T C H N I G H T” S E R V I C E

A PROGRESSION OF ITS
TRUE MEANING

by
Sheeiness Goss
and
Vernon M. Herron

Many of us who grew up in the Black community of a typical city have probably heard of a “Watch Night Service.” It was the gathering of the faithful in Church on New Year’s Eve to give thanks and praises to God for seeing us through another year. But is that the real historic meaning of “Watch Night” service?

I remember two distinct “Watch Night” services which left an indelible impression upon this writer. First, during my adolescent years, often I would attend Watch Night services at St. Paul Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC where one had to arrive before 10 p.m. to be assured of a seat for the midnight service. The worship service basically was “thanksgiving” in substance. It consisted of the singing of meter hymns, moaning prayers of thanksgiving, testimonies, and preaching which must be in progress at the strike of midnight, when all lights would be extinguished and when worshippers shouted and yelled, “thank you Jesus to see another year!” This was a dramatic moment of congregational achievement. The Church’s bell would sound for 3 to 5 minutes after which all lights would return. After the offering, everyone went home with a new year’s blessing for being alive at the beginning of a new year.

The second “Watch Night” experience which left an indelible impression was when I visited the mission field in San Andres Island, Columbia as the guest evangelist of the First Baptist Church. The annual revival was held during the last week of December including New Year Day. There was the popular notion that everybody on the Island must be in Church or on its grounds when the New Year arrives for “good luck” and to ensure blessings during the year. Consequently, the church was packed and its grounds filled as the Islanders had come, not to hear the proclaimed Word but to insure each individual of personal charm and prosperity.

The truth of the matter is that “Watch Night” service is an intrigue part of the African American cultural tradition yet lacking in full understanding of its historic significance. As stated earlier, the Watch Night service begins anywhere from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.

It is assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service---made a bit more Afro-centric because that’s what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church.

Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in main denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year’s Eve services in African-American congregations.

The Watch Night Services in Black communities can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as “Freedom’s Eve.” On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation actually had become law.

On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued an Emancipation Proclamation declaring that the War between states had ended and that the enslaved were now freed. For two and a half years, this information was delayed in getting to Texas and when it did, it had little impact due to the minimal number of Union Troops to enforce the new Executive Order. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free.

It was not until December 18, 1865 that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified which ended slavery in all parts of the United States. When this news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year’s Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.

It’s been over a century since that first Freedom’s Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still bring us together at this time every year to celebrate “how we got over.”

# 44 THECHRISTMAS STORY IN GOSPEL FORM

Note: This blog was first published as blog # 6 and is repeated by popular request.

# 44 THECHRISTMAS STORY IN GOSPEL FORM

BASED ON BOOK

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE OF

HALLOWEEN, EASTER, and CHRISTMAS

BY

ALLEGRA McBIRNEY

Critiqued

by

VERNON M. HERRON, D. Min.

Christmas is coming! The toy market is appealing to children. Children are persuading adults regarding their choice of Christmas wares and desired gifts. During my early childhood, I was fascinated in a state of expectation because Santa Claus was coming to town. The song text goes like this:

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He’s making a list

And checking it twice,

Gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you’re sleeping

He knows when you’re awake

He knows if you’ve been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake!

Oh! You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town

The above folk song comes in the form of a Santa Claus Gospel. This Christian idol not only pollutes a sacred story but also corrupts theological and spiritual truths. It has the form of omniscience but its appearance is without substance.

Christmas is that time of year when the focus should be upon that One for whom the day was named CHRIST-MASS- the Lord Jesus Christ. But every year that focus seems to shift more and more to another –and that is to Santa Claus. Is is not easy to speak out against Santa Claus, because to attack him is to attack the Christmas idol.

Santa Claus has taken on some of the characteristics of an idol. (Innocence)

God’s Word says:

          “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”

Certain powers are attributed to Santa Claus which belong to God alone,

           

Example:  

                            Santa 

                               sees all they do      

                               hears all they say.

          

                               In essence he is

                                    Omniscient

                                    Omnipresent

These are powers that are God’s alone. God’s word says, “I am God and there is none like me.” Yet children are taught that Santa Claus has God-characteristics

The role of Satan in this scenario

Satan is not presented as fiction--. He is presented as fact—real—living—and having involvement in their lives. Children are taught to believe in Santa Claus.

Satan is the Father of Lies

          The Santa Claus gospel strives to make him seem alive and real and

            strives to make the Very Real Saviour seem dead and fictitious.

Satan gets help from parents by:

          Perpetuation of myth

          Hanging of stocking at chimney vs parents’ love

          Claiming that Santa knows child’s behavior

          Claiming that Santa hears and answers specific petitions

          Claim of his coming in person to their home.

Actually, these are mocking imitations of the Lord Jesus Christ—of Christ’s genuine Reality—of his real knowledge of each person’s behavior;  his actual answer to specific prayer petitions and his authentic coming in person, not simply to the home but to the heart of each believer.

Even Santa’s elves seem strangely parallel to scripture’s account of ministering angels. Note the similarity between the words “Santa” and “Satan”.

The “Santa Claus Gospel” indoctrinates children with the idea that if they are “good”, they will get presents from Santa Claus. This doctrine compounds the true Gospel of Grace. God’s presence does not depend on our being “good”. The Bible says “There is none that doeth good, no not one.” Romans 3:12

It does not depend on our goodness; we have none!  But it depends on the perfect goodness, the sinlessness of the Son of God which qualified Him to pay for our badness, our sinfulness. On the cross Christ suffered for that sin as our substitute, died and rose again. By believing and trusting in Him, they will get eternal life as His present---earned by him, not by their own efforts.

Salvation comes by Faith, not by being “good.” Yet the “Santa Claus Gospel” of works has gotten to children and has left them resistant to the truth, that entrance into heaven is not determined by behavior but by trust in Christ and His sacrifice.

Another serious effect of the Santa Claus myth is that it can deter children from coming to Christ in faith. Once they discover that Santa Claus is a liar, they can be hesitant to put their trust in anyone further in whom they’ve tried to believe but cannot see.

         

# 43 Vocabulary Building

# 43 Vocabulary Building

By

Vernon M. Herron

Word power is indispensable. It helps one to articulate ideas, communicate concepts, it helps in mental gymnastics, social networking and in the increase of earning power. There are many sources for vocabulary building. Hearing and learning words from each other is a common source. I like words. It fascinates me to hear words used in unique expressions. Word power is star power, either written or spoken. Either way, always check the spelling, pronunciation and definition.



Last week, it was rather refreshing to hear and read about three words, “awesome,” “crestfallen,” and “gentrification,” and to note the users of those words. That is what this writing is all about. Meet three distinguished friends of mine and their use of a descriptive and sometimes an emotional word.

Simeon Ray


Simeon is my five year old friend. He and I were born on the same date. He is a bright kindergarten pupil at River Oaks Academy in Charlotte, NC. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kwasi Ray and the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hendricks.



Simeon’s distinguished grandmother, Mrs. Barbara Hendricks can best tell the story of his word use.



“Having spent last week-end in the NC mountains, the grandsons---enjoyed the 3-D pictures during the evening hours in the hotel. One night Simeon was viewing some of the pictures and exclaimed loudly, ‘this is AWESOME!’ We all chuckled at that, as we were not aware that ‘awesome’ was a part of his vocabulary.”



I remember the first time hearing the word ‘awesome.’ I had just finished preaching as a guest preacher in a stately Philadelphia church. When the pastor’s wife was approaching me, I wondered what she would say, and it was, “the sermon was awesome.” Checking the definition, I found it to mean ‘inspiring.’ I thank you madam and especially Simeon.

Steve Johnson


Referring to a previous published blog, Steve Johnson, Media Specialist for The Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum (Charlotte, NC) wrote, “my first reaction was to be crestfallen…but on reflection, I’m delighted…”



It is not strange to note Mr. Johnson’s use of the word “crestfallen” because he is a journalist by training and experience. But this is an opportunity for me to describe how this multi-talented person is so human and is a “servant for all.”



“Steve” as he is affectingly called, is a native of Delaware but has been a Charlottean since 1978. His noteworthy achievement was serving as Executive Director of the Swann Fellowship during the time that the Fellowship published EDUCATEL, a weekly journal on Charlotte-Mecklenburg public education.



But the real soul of Steve Johnson can be seen any Tuesday morning when he is in action. He:


- Serves as refreshment coordinator. (Prepares coffee and refreshments)
- Offers the morning prayer when asked.
- Computerizes and distributes the minutes.
- Provides visual aid on demand.
- Publishes community service announcements and much more.



We all love Steve Johnson and his ‘crestfallen’ word.

Donnell Sheppard


Donnell recently wrote the following, “I spoke to a friend about ‘gentrification’ taking place in south Philly…(I remembered you using that word when I was a teenager.)”



How gratifying it is to note that a thriving citizen still remembers a word he heard from me when he was a teen ager. “Gentrification” is the word; it is the process of a middle-class people migrating into a nearby center city, low income, deteriorating neighborhood and rehabilitating the same at a cost which prevents the original homeowners from reclaiming the said property for community living; and that is economic ostracizing.



Gentrification is taken place in most metropolitan area where low income people live. Generally, it is near the down town area with transportation and necessary city services. This is a ‘wake-up’ call word which should call the electorate to action.



Donnell Sheppard is a Government Analyst in the Corporate Accounts Department of Shire Pharmaceuticals. He earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Temple University. He is married with a son and lives in Chesterbrook, PA. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he is the Director of its Education Activities. (Right on, my man!)



Little Simeon, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Sheppard remind us of three good words to be used appropriately; AWESOME, CRESTFALLEN, AND GENTRIFICATION.


Thank you!

#42 God's Use of People of Color

Biblical Revelation of Race

# 42 God’s Use of People of Color

by

Vernon M. Herron

With this blog, we conclude the three-part discussion on the biblical revelation of race and to quickly state that God calls and uses all people in ministry. The teachings and message of the scripture are that people are of great value regardless of color. We must see that all races were the ‘good guys’ in the Bible. All races contributed to the betterment of a world order.

When Japheth became the father of the Caucasian race in Europe, that continent grew and developed empires and systems for the good of the world.

When Shem moved southeast and became the father of the Hebrews, one could see the occupation and development of Syria, Assyria, the Persian Gulf and a large part of Arabia. The world has utilized many resources from these areas.

When Ham’s sons settled Palestine/Canaan, Africa, Asia, India, the Island of Pacific, Australia, Central and South America, one could see 2/3 of the world’s population was dark skinned; that these regions produced civilization, cultures, systems, religions and even a Messiah which have forever changed the face of the world. ALL RACES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A BETTER WORLD ORDER.

From these three sons, the entire human race has come. Those divisions are important to one’s identity. Upon inquiry, one could always go back to one’s roots. But the New Testament speaks of a new nation—
with a new identity—the household of God.

Eph. 2:19

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God.

When we go to the book of Acts, we discover a man who is a Shemite. He is Jewish and is converted. He is the Apostle Paul.

A descendant of Ham, the Ethiopian’s treasurer, on his way to Ethiopia, was converted.

Those who come from Japheth are represented in the New Testament by Cornelius and those of European descent.

Now identity is no longer racial. Our identity is ‘the household of faith.’

   Same Father

   Same Brother/Christ Jesus

   Same Companion/Holy Spirit

God has called people from all walks of life to do His work: Abraham, a man of wealth; Moses, the keeper of the flock; Amos, the herdsman from Tekoa; Peter, the fisherman; Paul, the tentmaker; Jesus, the carpenter; Lincoln, the rail-splitter; Booker T. Washington, the enslaved; Albert Schweitzer, the learned physician---all have been called to do the mighty work of God.

According to the late Benjamin E. Mayes, “it is true that God reached up and took John Milton, somewhat of an aristocrat, and made him a great poet. But it is also true that God reached down and got Horace, the son of a former enslaved and made him perhaps the greatest Roman writer. ‘Tis true that God reached up and getting wealthy George Washington, made him the father of his country. But it is also true that God reached down into a Kentucky log cabin and made Lincoln the great emancipator. God made Caruso a great singer of the world but God also reached over to the south side of Philadelphia and out of the Union Baptist Church, picked Marian Anderson and made her the voice of the century.”

God’s work must truly be our own. God even used people of color in ministry.

# 41 A Historical Perspective of the Israel/Palestine Arab Conflict

Biblical Revelation of Race

# 41 A Historical Perspective of the

Israel/Palestine Arab Conflict

by

Vernon M. Herron

The late Benjamin E. Mayes and the World Book Encyclopedia helped me greatly to understand the century old conflict between Israel and Palestine. I have wondered why half brothers and sisters, and cousins could not get alone. What is the rationale why biblical scholars have long said that ‘contrary to our prayers for Jerusalem’s peace, it is ordained that there will be no peace.’

A Historical Perspective of the Israel/Palestine Arab Conflict



Research shows that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), chaired by the late Yasir Arafat, is in alliance with Palestine Arab groups that work to establish an Arab state in what was once Palestine. The area that made up Palestine now consists mainly of Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.



During the Truman Administration, Israel was declared a state. The PLO did not recognize Israel’s right to exist but in 1988, Arafat persuaded the PLO to accept Israel’s right to exist alongside a Palestine state in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.



In 1993, the PLO and Israel gave recognition to each other but that truce did not last long. There remains conflict and war between these groups even until this day.



What Is The Biblical Reference to This Conflict?

The account can be found in Genesis 16 and 17. The conflict stems from hostility which has existed since the birth of Ishmael and Isaac, sons of Abraham. Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar who was an Egyptian handmaid while Isaac was the son of Abraham and his wife Sarah. The Arabs are of the descent of Ishmael while the Hebrew people are of the descent of Isaac.

Genesis 16:1-4, 15

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife bare him no children:

and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

And Sarai said unto Abram,

Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing:

I pray thee, go in unto my maid;

it may be that I may obtain children by her.

And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

And Sarai, Abram’s wife took her maid the Egyptian.

After Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan

and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

And he went in unto Hagar and she conceived

and when she saw that she had conceived,

her mistress was despised in her eyes.

And Hagar bare Abram a son:

and Abram called his son’s name,

which Hagar bare, Ishmael. (Arab decent)

Genesis 17:19-21

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed;

and thou shalt call his name Isaac:

and I will establish my covenant with him

for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after him.

And as for Ishmael,…I will make him a great nation.

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac,

which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

# 40 People of Color in the Bible

Biblical Revelation of Racial Identification

# 40 People of Color in the Bible

by

Vernon M. Herron

Today, we begin a three-part discussion on the Biblical revelation of race.

We will discuss the identification of races, purpose and destiny. We will briefly reflect on the Israel/Palestine Arab conflict, and God’s use of all peoples, so stay tuned and don’t turn your dial.

According to demographic and statistical reports, there are five billion peoples on the face of the earth and the majority of them are people of color. Modern man often wonders about the origin of races. Biblical records significantly include people of color in God’s panorama of history. First, we must get certain geographical concepts in place and therefore must have some insight of the lands of the Bible. There are overwhelming facts designating Africa as the birth place of humanity. According to Kun-jun-fu, “the original man was an ETHIOPIA.” He continues, “Africans lived almost 4 million years ago; Asians lived over 700 thousand years ago; Europeans lived over 70 thousand years ago.”

During the Great Flood, the ark with its eighty occupants was lifted from the continent of Africa and rested on the continent of Asia-Mt. Ararat. All human life after the flood is credited to Noah’s family. His three sons SHEM, HAM AND JAPHETH are responsible for the fathers of all races.

Gen. 9:18-19.

“And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.” These are the three sons of Noah: and of them the whole earth was overspread.

In Genesis 11:7,

God confounded their language, which compelled them to separate according to Noah’s sons. By this act, new nations were formed.

Japheth and his family traveled north, settling north of the Mediterranean Sea. He became the Father of the Caucasian race in Europe.

Shem and his family moved southeast occupying Syria, Assyria, the Persian Gulf and a large part of Arabia. He is the father of the Hebrews.

Ham had four sons, (Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan. Gen. 10:6) but only three of them went with him south to Africa. His youngest son, Canaan settled an area known, today as Palestine, which was originally called Canaan. The Canaanites were a Black race of people who ruled Canaan- land for nearly one thousand years before losing it to the children of Shem. In Gen. 9:18. God called Ham, who was Noah’s third son, the father of Canaan before His children entered the land of Canaan.

Ham’s descendants settled Palestine, Africa, Asia, India, Islands of the Pacific, Australia, Central and South America. 2/3 of the world’s population is brown and dark skinned. This is why people of color are numerous in the Bible.

Gen. 10 tells us about Nim-rod, the grandson of Ham. It was Nimrod who built the towel of Babel.

II Samuel 11, names a black Hittite—Uriah, whose dark skinned wife was Bathsheba.

Caphtor: Crete was the grandson of Ham and father of the Black Philistines. (Jer. 47:4).

According to I Sam. 17, the most popular Black Philistine in the Bible are Delilah and Goliath.

Moses was a Black skinned Hebrew living in the Negro land of Egypt during the period of Israel’s enslavement.

Ex. 2, tells us how Moses out of fear fled Africa to the land of Midian, where he found his Black wife Zip-porah.

Three wise men journeyed to Bethlehem to greet the savior. One of the three, Balthazar-(Ba-tha-zar) was Black. Matt:2:1 reports that gold, frankincense and myrrh were the gifts presented to the newborn King

Luke 1 speaks of Mary: “The Black Madonna”. Mary was the mother of the Immaculate Christ. She was a distant relative of David and Solomon who were of the lineage of Boaz, direct son of Rahab. “the Black Canaanite.” (Ruth 4:13)

Then there is “Jesus: Salvation” His existence can be found from Genesis to Revelation since He is Alpha and Omega. His earthly maternal genealogy can be traced from Adam to Noah and Ham.

Mark 15:21 tells of Simon, a Black Cyrenian helped the Messiah bear his cross.

There are many more, but last example I leave with you is that of Solomon and Mekeda, the Queen of Sheba. Solomon was one of Judah’s earliest kings to have Negro blood in his veins. His great-great grandmother was Rahab, the “Black Canaanite” who was an offspring of Ham. (Gen. 10)

The Queen of Sheba was a Black woman who resided in Africa and Arabia. She was an Ethiopian by blood, land and culture; a descendant of Ham’s first son Cush, same as Ethiopia. (Gen. 10:7) The visit of the Queen of Sheba is one of the most enchanting stories of the Bible found in II Chron.9 and I  Kings 10:

Solomon had a throne set up for Mekeda beside his. He called her the “Beautiful Queen of the South.” Solomon at that time had 700 wives, all princesses and 300 concubines. To the great dismay of all of these, Solomon now made Mekeda his favorite queen.

Some of them began to reproach Mekeda about her darkness of her skin. Mekeda’s responds:

Song of Solomon 1:5

I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,

as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon,

look not upon me, because I am black, because

the sun hath looked upon me:

they made me the keeper of the vineyards;

but my own vineyard have I not kept.

“Comely” means “beautiful” and the “but” gives a negative connotation. “Black but beautiful is a poor translation. Using "and" instead of "but" or "yet" as the operative conjunction, the verse should read, “I am Black and Beautiful.”

From identification, we move to purpose and then on to destiny. These will be our discussions in blogs to follow.