JEL Institute

Is “separation of church and state” biblical… or cultural?

That question alone challenges a lot of what we’ve been taught.

Because if we’re honest, Scripture doesn’t show us a faith that stays silent on the issues of the day. Jesus didn’t separate truth from the public square. He confronted systems, challenged power, and spoke directly to what was happening in real time.

So where did this idea come from?

Some trace it back to the 19th century, during and after the Civil War, where a narrative began to take shape—one that spiritualized the gospel. Faith became about personal growth and private piety, while larger systems and injustices were left untouched.

And if we’re not careful, that same mindset still shows up today.

A gospel that only transforms individuals but never challenges systems is incomplete.

Question:
Do you believe the church should speak on cultural and societal issues, or stay focused only on personal faith? Why?

“Black people are not an afterthought for God. We are God’s first thought.”

Sit with that.

For so long, many have wrestled with identity because of the messages we’ve been given…
Too dark. Too much. Not enough.

But those messages were never rooted in truth.

They were attempts to distort what God already established.

Scripture reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. That means nothing about who we are is accidental, misplaced, or less than. It is intentional.

You are not a deviation.
You are not an afterthought.
You are part of God’s design from the beginning.

And there is freedom in reclaiming that truth.

Question:
What shifted for you when you began to see yourself through God’s design instead of what culture tried to define?

That line matters because in a twisted moment we’re living in, truth gets mislabeled when it challenges comfort. But truth is not hate, and truth is not bo***ge.

“And this should not have to be said, but I will say it anyway… being pro-truth is not being anti-white.”

That line matters, because in a twisted moment we’re living in, truth gets mislabeled when it challenges comfort. But truth is not hate, and truth is not bo***ge.

As the teaching reminded us, the Bible begins in Africa and Asia, before colonialism, before westernization. If we’re going to be faithful to Scripture, we have to be faithful to what’s true.

Question for the comments:
Why do you think telling the truth gets interpreted as being “against” people instead of “for” what’s right?

Another phenomenal night at ’s Black 365 Series.

Every Tuesday this month has been both informative and impactful, and last night was no different.

We leaned into a necessary truth:
"If you can whitewash the historical Jesus, you can then claim Christianity as a Western possession."

And that’s where the distortion begins.
We made it clear. You cannot whitewash what the truth is. We are not an afterthought in the story. We are foundational. The conversation challenged us to examine imagery, history, theology, and how narratives get shaped over time.

Drop a comment below:
What have you been taught about the historical Jesus that you later had to unlearn?

Let’s talk about it.

Tonight we gather again.

Join us for the third installment of the Bible & Race series as part of the Black 365 Series at Grace Baptist Church at 7:00 PM.

This conversation continues to challenge us, ground us, and move us forward with biblical integrity and clarity. If you’ve been tracking with us, you already know the goal is to connect faith, history, and responsibility in a way that transforms how we think and lead.

You do not want to miss this.

📍 Grace Baptist Church
2178 Highway 138 East
Stockbridge, Georgia 30281

Come ready to listen. Come ready to think. Come ready to grow.

We had to bring this moment back…

A viewer left a comment: “Some of those old theologies were written by racist pervs on drugs.” …and the whole room STOPPED. 😂

Then a statement was made: “It’s always the woman’s fault.” From Eve…to Cain…to modern pulpits…to the labels women STILL fight today.

So let’s talk about it:

QUESTION FOR YOU: Do you think harmful theology still shapes how women are viewed in the Church today? Why or why not?

Drop your thoughts below. ⬇️
Let’s have the conversation.