Black Pastors Unveil Credo: Talk Christian Nationalism, Fear Behind Trump’s Political Success

On Nov. 6, the morning after former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris for the White House, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Evans of Berkeley School of Theology started to call other theologians.

While Trump and leaders of his conservative chorus were flooding the airwaves with victory speeches, Evans believed that Trump’s big victory was part of a bigger movement–an ideology called “Christian nationalism,” which he said is akin to white supremacy.

“What has brought Donald Trump to power is Christian Nationalism, [but] this is larger than Trump,” Evans told The Informer. “We are focused on a culture of many White evangelicals who have empowered him.”

As a result, Evans and several dozen ministers crafted a document called “The Credo to Legates of the Black Church Tradition,” which was written by numerous African American scholars and inspired by pioneers dating back to W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells.

Other authors included: the Rev. Warren H. Stewart Sr. of First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix; the Rev. Otis Moss Jr. and the Rev. Otis Moss III; and Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner, co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Day of Healing (formerly the Prayer Breakfast).

“The reason the credo came into being is we, in the prophetic justice movement, like [Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] were waiting to hear from our so-called leaders and we heard nothing,” Stewart said. “It came into being because we can not be silent.”

The document holds multiple purposes and calls-to-action for readers and antagonists alike, including: denouncing white supremacists and the “socio-psychological systems” that prey upon oppressed Black people and other marginalized groups, and encouraging all Black scholars to seek “admissions, enrollments, retainment, and graduations from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU),” regardless of the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies implemented at predominantly white institutions.

“The forces of evil never sleep and their representatives persecute and assassinate the prophets of liberation,” said Moss Jr., the retired pastor of Mt. Olivet Institutional Church in Cleveland. “Each generation needs a voice and representatives. If the silence on the part of the liberation movement continues, we – unintentionally – empower the forces of injustice.”

Having submitted the Credo and clearly declared its intention Evans has high hopes for the future.

“We expect that the credo will inspire dialogue, discussion, and debate about the statements…We anticipate that debate of this document will result in action plans crafted beyond educators, scholars,  professionals, and business leaders to embrace a new mindset,” Evans explained.

Skinner backs the credo wholeheartedly, citing the origins of Biblical teachings and faith-based values as the possible shining light at the end of a dark nation. 

“The Black Church Movement has always stood for the teachings of Jesus,” said Skinner. “With a changing administration led by people who understand what being a follower of Jesus means, this credo  is reminding America of what its best self could be on behalf of all of us.”