# This Bible Scholar Just Challenged Everything I Know About America

Free with YouTube's ads, posted by Lecrae.

What happens when a pastor refuses to separate the gospel from justice? Lecrae sits down with pastor, theologian, and author Charlie Dates for a candid conversation about the Black church, American Christianity, and the cost of speaking up.

Charlie opens up about why he had to tell his congregation he was wrong about a church partnership, how he handles the pressure of money in ministry, and why he believes justice and righteousness belong together. He and Lecrae also talk about the legacy of the Black church, Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham, and the question of whether America is a Christian nation.

They get into faith and Black Greek life, hope for people hurt by the church, fatherhood, and what marriage has taught Charlie about dying to himself.

Let’s go to the Deep End!

---

Chapter markers

00:00 Opening prayer

04:57 Meet Charlie Dates

06:47 Why Charlie told his church he was wrong

10:19 The backlash to speaking about injustice

16:07 Pastoring while being present for family

23:22 Money, ministry, and pressure to soften the message

- What it is: Recorded live
- Length: 1 h 15 min
- Shown live: Fri 13 Nov 2026, 20:00 UTC
- Rights holder: [Lecrae](http://www.lecrae.com) (its site links the channel: https://lecrae.com/)
- Channel: [Lecrae](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxuwb_eErNh6okiCGhIf7ww)
- Plays: Wherever YouTube plays: its rights holder sets no limit
- Who can watch here: Adult profiles and older (no rating is recorded on YouTube, so adults only)
- Made for kids: No, as YouTube designates it
- On YouTube: [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Uws0sdqxs)

It plays in YouTube's embedded player on its page here, loaded only when Play is pressed; YouTube's Terms of Service (https://www.youtube.com/t/terms) and Google's Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy) apply to it.