How Can Christians Respond to Racism?
First, Scripture is clear all people are created in God’s image. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
Second, all people are of equal status in God’s sight. Galatian 3:28 teaches, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slaves or free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This passage, written specifically to Christians, was intended to highlight the important equality we have as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Third, favoritism is sin. James clearly communicated, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism” (James 2:1, NIV). In verse 8 he adds, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
Fourth, Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. In giving the greatest commandment, He stated to love God, “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). There is no distinction for the skin color or ethnic background of our neighbor. Instead, when Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” He gave the example of the Good Samaritan, a story in which a Samaritan helped a Jewish man, connecting two cultures that traditionally discriminated against one another.
Fifth, Jesus Christ died for all people, regardless of background. While not every person will be saved, people from every tribe, nation, language, and people will (Revelation 14:6). If followers of Christ will spend eternity with believers from all ethnic backgrounds in heaven, it follows that believers would seek to live in harmony with those of various backgrounds on earth today.
Racism is an ugly reality that continues to persist in modern America. However, Christians are called to live differently from the surrounding culture. We are to view all people as made in God’s image, of equal status, show no favoritism, love neighbor as self, and remember Christ died for all people.
May I say that racism is itself an unbiblical idea? The word race is a human designation. The scriptures speak of us all being of one blood. God looks on the heart, but man’s focus is continually on the outward appearance. Who’s heart is perfect before God? That is the better question. Who is sinless before God? Let them cast the first stone.
Why is it that Christian’s viewpoints to these issues seem no different than that of unbelievers except that we might sprinkle in a few scriptures?
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
“We are all one in Christ Jesus,” yes. IN CHRIST JESUS. We need to differentiate on two levels, I believe. The first statement is true, in Christ Jesus. As Christians, we don’t differentiate in any negative way within the body of Christ. However, in the world, the issues are less racism oriented and more ideological differences. Here is the rub, and here is where we MUST differentiate. It is not being racist to point out that statistically most deaths of blacks are caused by other blacks. It is not racist to point out that Islam is basically, according to the Quran, more an ideology than a religion. And if one insists on defining it as a religion, then according to the Quran, it is a violent, heartless, and yes, even sadistic “religion.” It is not racist to insist we guard our national borders. It is just common sense. That is my humble opinion.
So sin to you among Christians is ok and should not be corrected? unless it goes against your beliefs system ?
Jose, did you READ what Judy said. She did not say anything of the sort about sin not being corrected within the body of Christ. She DID say that within the Body of Christ we do not participate in the racism ( or differentiation ) that is used in the world. However, the caveat that must be understood is that when we talk abour “the Body of Christ” it does not just mean any ole church body of people. Many denominations have fallen away becoming tolerant of almost any sin, for the sake of political correctness. THAT is an abomination.
What sin are you referring to? What is the biblical name for it?
Judy, what does your statistics say on who is the cause of the death of most whites?
Amen and Amen
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.(Acts 10:34-35 KJV). And Colossians 3:9-11 KJV Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
What does the bible say concerning sin (racism) should Christians embrace it and let it continue to contaminate our ranks? Let it self correct in when ever?
Why do so many white supremacist groups claim their stance is supported by their religion and the Bible and they use the cross as their primary symbol?
Same reason there are false teachers and religious cults that twist scripture. Remember this though—there may be many things wrong with man’s implementation of Christianity, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with Jesus Christ. Look to Him and not man.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
Verses about false teachers:
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. – 2 Peter 2:1-3
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. – Jude 1:4 (Read all of Jude)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. – Matthew 7:15-17
The problem with this question of False Teachers and Religious Cults, is that every individual or group claiming to be Christian believes that they possess True Christianity and all the others are either slightly deceived or outright evil in intent…or something in between those two extremes. When confronted with this fact, most Christians are inclined to insist that their particular version of Christianity is the only one worthy of adherence, and all the others are false. How any rational human being can make sense of the countless conceptions of Christ and Christianity is beyond me. Personally, I am inclined to a more esoteric form of Christianity.
The KKK have always used the Cross as a symbol because originally they were solely Protestant Christians concerned about the fate of the USA. People claim they are anti-Christian because in some of their rituals they burned the Cross. But the burning of the cross was not an act of destruction, but rather a lighting of the cross in the evening twilight. As to the other groups using the Cross, most are of the type who claim the true Jews are the lost tribes of Israel, which in their minds are the European peoples. They have elaborate histories “proving” this. The KKK has mostly had a fundamentalist conception of the Bible, whereas the Lost Tribes groups give the Bible a unique twist to favor their bizarre worldview.
I find it humorous that someone gives my statement above a Thumbs Down when all I did was state historical fact devoid of my personal opinion. This just goes to show you how desperate some people are to reject anything that does not fit their preconceived views.
Yes, Chris. You are talking about the very truth. But I must say it… Why are you talking about yourself like that? #Hypocrite
You seem to know a lot about the KKK…
Same reason that people of color have done the same thing. Ever heard of Jeremiah Wright?
Racism/Prejudice is a real problem due to our tendencies to xenophobia. If a person doesn’t look/act like us, we are quick to judge. However, it is a symptom, not a root problem. The root is the people are dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:1-7, Colossians 2:8-14) and need new hearts/eyes only God can provide. Our flesh is a problem as well, once we are saved. Christians need to spend more time meditiating on the Word, so they don’t get swept up into the political/ideological nonsense in biased news/talk radio. We need to remember who the real enemy is.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12
Finally, it is the love of Christ that should guide our actions:
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
During this political season, remember that the person with the bumper sticker you don’t like is a person that needs Jesus as much as you do and instead of having negative thoughts, pray and love this person. It is not easy (if it were, we would not be constantly reminded to love in Scripture), but we are called to do it.
That’s why the black in America convert from Christianity to Islam
1. We are ALL sinners, but some have bowed the knee to God, and have accepted the free gift of salvation accomplished by Jesus’ death on the cross. By accepting that GIFT, paid for by Jesus’ blood, they will spend eternity with the one and only God, the Triune God. They are the “Children of God” by adoption into His family. 2. All other sinners will spend eternity apart from God, whose gift they have rejected. They will not be in heaven. 3. Christians don’t get escape punishment for their sins because their sins are ignored, but BECAUSE Jesus paid for all of their sins. 4. The Bible commands Christians to Love One Another, because they thus show that they are true Children of God. 5. Jesus told us all to Love Our Enemies, so we have NO EXCUSE for hating anyone, whether they are different from us or not. 6. All persons who disobey the laws of our land are disobeying God, because our government (flawed as it is) is given the authority to arrest and punish ALL lawbreakers. 7. If you disobey the law and rebel, do not resist arrest when you are caught. The police have the authority to arrest you. And don’t say “I was only going 15 mph over the limit”, or “he was only stealing from a convenience store.” If you break the law, humble yourself, and be willing to be punished for your wickedness. Repent and ask God for forgiveness!!!
I must respectfully disagree with number 6. We (the U.S.A.) are a nation of The People, by The People and for The People. Therefore it is The People who are the rulers of this Nation and the government is OUR servant. This idea that the Government rules over us because we invest it with certain LIMITED power needs to be corrected.
Brian, thank you for your disagreement on my number 6. Your point is valid: in our (“experiment in”) Democracy, the founding fathers did indeed intend that the primary power in our beloved USA was supposed to be in the hands of the people. Unfortunately, power-hungry politicians have usurped the power from the people. Shame on us for letting this happen!!
That will be my first question in heaven. Why were black people the greatest percentage of criminals, thefts and delinquents? They were great for sports and Dr. Carson was quite a miracle but I never saw a majority on the scientific fields. Why were those countries mostly populated by black people the poorest, most ignorant; and more important, filled of idolatry.
Mike, what an ignorant, arrogant and utterly racist thing to even think to ask God. First of all, do you think almighty God is this old man sitting in a European Kings chair ready to explain the issues plaguing peoples of the world? Please pick up your Bible and read it. Have you done any real homework on the reality of black people throughout the ages or even America since black people from Africa were brought to America as slaves used to grow America? Have you the inclination of what its like to grow up in a country that kept you against your will for centuries and then released you and told you to now carve out a life for yourselves with little to no real assistance. That has had an impact on people for generations. I am not making excuses for some black Americans who turn to violence as a way of dealing with these woes. However, I do understand them. Do you really believe that black people are the greatest percentage of crimes in America? I keep saying America, because your arrogant and ignorant comments clearly expose you as an American. I challenge you to go to the FBI.gov website and do your homework before making blanket statements. You think black people in America make no impact on America and the world other than sports, and oh yeah, Dr. Ben Carson. Wow! Again, this is woefully ignorant. Do your homework Mike. To assist you, here is a website (http://www.black-inventor.com/Black-Inventors.asp). Take a tour. Because the Internet is not the place that contains all truth, take a short walk or drive to your local library. Do an actual investigation to your theories that I assume come from watching your local news channels. This will also answer your ability to not see black people impacting, as you put it, “the scientific fields.” Now, to your last question, (by the way, why would you ask Dr. Ankerberg these questions? Do you think is the end all and be all of black people. Wow, again ignorant and racist.) “Why were those countries mostly populated by black people the poorest, most ignorant; and more important, filled of idolatry.” I know you probably think it has always been this way, but you will be surprised if you do a historical study. You would find that African people have made an incredible mark on the world over the past 2 thousand years. But my guess is you were referring to this current generation. Well, I assume you profess to be a Christian, so my answer to you should already know. That answer is SIN! Whoever turns from the one true God will believe a lie. The devil is real and he is a deceiver. At the root of all wickedness is SIN (Proverbs 14:34). I hope you won’t retaliate with curse words or the N-word, because I said you were ignorant (which means one who lacks knowledge or understanding) concerning black people. I am a Christian and a retired 25-year military veteran with two Master’s Degrees. I have served and worked with ethnicities from around the world. There are “poor, most ignorant; and more important, filled of idolatry people” (your words) in every country. They all have a common binding tie. They have rejected God. I pray that America does not make that same mistake.
You apparently believe only what you’re told to believe. You apparently refuse to be educated by facts. You no doubt do not allow your bible to educate you either, because if you were a true and noble christian, you would search out the truth, so that you could relinquish your foolishness. You should follow the example of the Bereans. 11Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. You need a history lesson and not the whitewashed version of history, you would find out that Dr. Ben Carson is only one of many medical miracles, you would find out that Black people are not just magic when it comes to sports, but we are magic in every area of life educators, scientist, inventors, etc, no space for the amazing grace God bestowed upon this people. I don’t know, but you may be about 5 or 6 years old and have not had a chance to really experience life yet, or to go to school or to the library, but when you are old enough, you need to do just that, educate yourself. Find out for yourself the amazing accomplishment of African Americans, you will see why everything we do you copy or try to claim it for your own. Do yourself a favor and African Americans as well. Know the truth so that the truth can set you free. Thank you and may God richly bless you.
If you ever make it there!
You culture has failed to teach you that the basic tenet required of professing Christians is to love. Your heart of hate disqualifies you any entry. To hate your brother is to be a murderer in God’s scheme of things.
This comment is so disgusting that I can not even respond.
Read Revelation 21:4…
Western Civilization and the race that built it are going extinct. This is not a matter of mere personal opinion. The White Race, that is the European peoples of all ethnic groups, built the Western Civilization and Culture. Properly described as Western European Christian Civilization, it is in its last days of life. Whites no longer are giving birth to enough children to replace their dying, they are being overrun by non-whites from the Third World, their culture is being attacked on all fronts, and they have been conditioned to not even care about such. Western policies since the end of WWII have been suicidal, and the West is now facing the consequences of those idiotic polices. Christianity is under assault on all fronts, the family unit is literally being wiped out, and radical satanic Islam is on the rise globally. Yet, after all of this, we are still told not to care, not to be concerned, not to think in racial terms. With that attitude, the West deserves to be overrun by it liberal, materialistic, and religious foes. I will never understand the utter stupidity of the forms of Christianity that would rather watch the White Race commit biological suicide than face Reality head on without the infection of political correctness.
Isn’t it curious that the so-called Christian civilisation that Europe built did so, as ISIS is trying to do today, by exterminating a whole people group across the Americas? Isn’t also curious that their so-called Christian values saw no Christian conflict in enslaving, raping, maiming, killing another people group whom they deceptively forced into slave labour?
It’s amazing that this article is teaching against the very thing you are trying to uphold and you seem to think you’re in unison with it.
How good it would be to hear us as one voice raised against the horror of racism, bemoaning the evil our fore parents have committed in the name of Christ, The false Christianity that must have taken so many to hellfire as they failed in the most basic Christian value to love, to love his neighbour as himself. Rather, like ISIS, he thought he served his God while enslaving, killing his neighbour.
Yet, instead of repenting and speaking out against the continued horror, your greater concerning is the preserving of your race. Clearly, you do not yet know God nor His Christ.
The more we focus on race, the more race remains an issue. When will we move beyond race? When we can stop talking about it, set aside our grievances, love and forgive each other as we are commanded, and live as one human race.
That is a description of a Utopian world. We need to face Reality.
Why can’t that be reality? Why must there be a difference between the two?
what if Muslims of all nations want to kill us in the name of their “God” “Alah?
Well, in the historical past Christian men stood up to defend their families, nations, and the Holy land, but in our day we just watch FOXNews, play golf, deny race exists, turn the other cheek.
Blacks have been conditioned to see themselves as victims; more accurately, they are victimizers. Encourage you to read Heather Mac Donald’s ‘the war on cops’ : sociologist, the facts. The truth is that, as a group, they can’t be trusted. They claim to be Christian, but blindly support an extremely pro-abrtion, pro-homosexual, anti-Israel president, when the Holy Spirit clearly would lead them to do otherwise, even if they never picked up the Bible to tell them those stands set them against God.
So ALL White people are anti abortion, and ALL Whites are trustworthy? You are are a RACIST through and through. That’s why the rest of the world HATES America because of ignorant racist idiots like you.
BTW there is only one race of people, and that is the HUMAN race. After all, you ignoramous, we ALL descended from tribes living in Africa. Didn’t you learn that in school like students in truly civilized countries do?
You are the ignorant one, Dutchie. To claim there are no human races is the epitome of political-correctness. Humanity is not a race but a species. Races are sub groups of the human species. Each Race has its own unique history, culture, biological traits, strengths, weaknesses, and sins. To deny such is to deny Reality. If you can’t face Reality head on, than you are stuck in your own subjective fantasy world. And the Races did not originate in Africa…that is the conception of materialistic Science, which denies the spiritual both in Humanity and in the Cosmos.
OK, the number of blacks who vote with the Democratic party is close to 100%. We had a great godly Christian Republican black man, Alan Keys, who ran for president, whom my husband and I supported. the Christian blacks didn’t support him; but they did support Barack Obama, who embraced every abortion bill, and chooses Muslims over all other people groups. The fact: black group behavior is contradictory to Christian principles.
June, your stated Fact is, indeed, a fact.
The African American Church teaches children NOT to respect life every time they vote Democrat, anti Christian Democrat Party Platform
WELL SAID FRIEND
I, a white woman vehemently disagree with you. Your the very type that causes problems. I am assuming that you call yourself a Christian. Have you read the Bible? Do you know anything about Christ? I don’t see Christ in you. It’s very sad. Please reconsider your position. Love is the only way.
I dont understand why America is always the scape goat. We weren’t the first to own slaves. Read Exodus chapter 1, noting on a map where Egypt is located. We were not the last to practice slavery as it is still going on today. Why are these points not constantly being brought up? Why does our sinful past keep being trotted out? Why does our nation keep being accused of “racism”? Are they trying to divide us, and weaken us? United we stand but divided we fall.
The US is supposed to be a so-called civilized nation. Slavery today occurs in less “civilized” counties
Because you ARE in fact racists in denial, your comment tells me enough about you and your ignorance to conclude that you are a very cowardly white person, sitting behind your computer/laptop playing the narrative off a white victim who is haunted by your past (which includes the horrific degrading, slaughtering, stripping of a whole society of people who God says is just. like. you) playing the victim and downplaying the wide-scale destruction of black people against God’s wishes, destroying black families who the Bible teaches is just as important as you white supremest. I think white people will be in for a rude awaking when God comes to take back his people or when you take a your last breathe on this earth as a proud christian racist and pass to the other side, knowing that all your life you could have been a good and decent white person and treated others as you would want to be treated. God will be the last judge of your hearts, you white people may think that you have did more good than harm on this planet and against people, but God will be the Judge of that.
I wrote this response to a special white supremacist who chose to come on this blog about white superiority and Christianity and play the infamous “white victim card” even though their white ancestors literarily tried to murder and rule over of God’s people only based on color of their skin. My conclusion/theory is that racist white people (which are a lot of people) who have used the Bible for decades to justify their ignorance and sinful behavior towards others who don’t look like them, racism is their way of saying, “we want to be god-like ourselves and above the rest of the peasants, we don’t care about being good people we just want to stay on top and be hypocrites, we want to be immortal by capitalizing on the inclusion of only white achievements in history, lastly we want to be worshipped because we are obviously better than everyone who as walked this earth (we have the Bible as proof).” Racist white people will always be demons and evil, they only know how to tear down people. I have hope that god will be able to show that racist black-hating, minority-hating white people have NEVER been people he has created in his image. kkk = the devil, anti-christ. This is my response:
” Because you ARE in fact racists in denial, your comment tells me enough about you and your ignorance to conclude that you are a very cowardly white person, sitting behind your computer/laptop playing the narrative off a white victim who is haunted by your past (which includes the horrific degrading, slaughtering, stripping of a whole society of people who God says is just. like. you) playing the victim and downplaying the wide-scale destruction of black people against God’s wishes, destroying black families who the Bible teaches is just as important as you white supremest. I think white people will be in for a rude awaking when God comes to take back his people or when you take a your last breathe on this earth as a proud christian racist and pass to the other side, knowing that all your life you could have been a good and decent white person and treated others as you would want to be treated. God will be the last judge of your hearts, you white people may think that you have did more good than harm on this planet and against people, but God will be the Judge of that”