Questioning Chavis Muhammad

Christian Century, June 4, 1997 by Linda A. Mercadante

In concluding remarks, all the panelists, especially the four black members, expressed deep regret that Chavis had left the church that gave him birth, home, education and ministry. Charles E. Booth, pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, expressed doubt that Chavis could continue for very long to maintain a "solid Christology and yet believe all the Nation of Islam teaches. We love you and pray you will be back." Informally, the panelists expressed frustration that the core theological issues were never really addressed. As we walked out, Rudolf R. Featherstone, associate professor of theology and ministry at Trinity, said to fellow panelists, "It doesn't matter, in the end, where we are each coming from. We all agreed that we must confess the sufficiency of Jesus Christ."

After the event, Upchurch reported that the Nation of Islam requested the videotape of the proceedings. "Minister Farrakhan wanted it immediately. He will not be pleased with Ben, and I'm sure Ben will have to revise some things." But Upchurch added, "I feel comforted now that what I suspected had deep links--it didn't carry any depth to it. He had nothing to offer. His transition will be no threat."

Upchurch had wanted the dialogue for two reasons. First, he wanted to subject Chavis Muhammad's claim of dual standing to professional theological scrutiny. He said his suspicion that the claim lacked theological depth was confirmed by the dialogue. Second, he wanted to raise awareness about the broad religious diversity within the African-American community. This too he felt was accomplished.

Although there was some widespread seminary concern that Trinity had unwittingly provided a platform when it had intended a dialogue, Childs said, "We did have a culturally and denominationally diverse group which found considerable theological unity."

After the ministry committee of the Eastern North Carolina Association of the UCC voted to terminate Chavis Muhammad's ministerial standing, Rollin O. Russell, conference Minister of the Southern Conference, said, "The board felt that his conversion to Islam was a renunciation of Christian faith and, by implication, of the Christian ministry." Chavis arrived at the North Carolina hearing "with full body guard," but the guards were not permitted in the meeting, although they had requested to be present. As at Columbus, the guards "cased the situation" and "were at all the doors," Russell reported. But Russell expressed sympathy for Chavis Muhammad, saying, "We worry about Ben. He's been a friend for years. Malcolm lost his life for a whole lot less."

The essence of Chavis Muhammad's argument at the closed hearing, according to Russell, was that "the Nation of Islam is open to him functioning fully as a Christian as well as a Muslim.... He leaned on the inclusiveness of the UCC and played on all those chords." But when panelists "pushed him on the doctrine of the Trinity, he said he believed in Jesus Christ."

The committee pressed on, saying that if he follows the UCC constitution and ordination vows, "then Jesus Christ is the sole head of the church and your sole head. So why do you need Muhammad?" Russell concluded, "This is an issue of Christology. Are we obedient to God through Jesus Christ or do we need other voices?"