It seems like we are bombarded daily with news of how a member of "this race" was shot down by members of "that race" in what is sure to become another national story...without any hopes of a brighter future. Well-meaning people then take to the streets to protest the social injustices committed by some towards others in what appears to be our country's never-ending stigma since its founding: Racism. But try as these activists may, there is only one solution to this problem. In this article we will discuss some of the issues surrounding racism, and how to combat them head-on with God's truth!
First Things First
The first thing we must do in order to have a productive discussion on this issue, and any other topic for that matter, is to define our terms. By racism, we mean "prejudice, discrimination, and/or antagonism directed against someone of a different race (ethnicity) based on the belief that one's own race is superior;" and a racist is someone who consciously and willingly holds these beliefs, whether or not they act upon them, for God knows their hearts.
We are defining race using Webster's 1828 dictionary: Race is "the lineage of a family, or continued series of descendants from a parent who is called the stock. A race is the series of descendants indefinitely. Thus all mankind are called the race of Adam." Until modern times, it was seen as obvious that there is one race—the human race—with different ethnicities or people groups within it (based on many differences), and no group is better or worse than any other because, after all, we're all human.
The next thing we need to do is emphatically declare that racism, and being a racist, is a sin before God, and is absolutely wrong. Our God is an impartial and unbiased God (Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11), and He expects us to be the same (Acts 10:34-35; James 2:1, 8-9). Being racist, then, is directly opposed to being godly. When people believe in racism, they are being partial (showing preference) towards their "own people" (or people who look and think like them), and they only extending love towards the same, while simultaneously not showing love to others who are different. This God opposes, for we are all made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).
Only One Race
One of the reasons that racism has become such a problem is that it has been taught in the schools through evolution, albeit indirectly. When schools teach evolution, they also teach that there are different races within humanity, and that certain civilizations (people groups, i.e., races) have been the pioneers of progress and enlightenment—while the rest...well, haven't. To the white European, this further serves to cement their ethnocentrism. These teachings, however, are unbiblical, and are unproductive to the cause of eradicating racism.
Furthermore, the evidence for different races is ambiguous at best. Consider the following paragraph, taken from the Apple Dictionary: "Theories of race asserting a link between racial type and intelligence are now discredited. Scientifically, it is accepted as obvious that there are subdivisions of the human species, but it is also clear that genetic variation between individuals of the same race can be as great as that between members of different races." Translation: we don't know if our subdivisions of humanity are legitimate. According to God's Word, there is only ONE race: the human race. We all came from Adam, the father of all nations (Acts 17:26).
Many Ethnicities
While there is only one race, it is true that there are different ethnicities in the world. Ethnicity is defined as: "the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition [and similar physical features and characteristics]" Ethnicity comes from the Greek word ethnos, which means "a band of people living together, a nation, people, or tribe;" it was general. In early English, ethnicity even meant "a heathen, pagan, one who is not a Christian or Jew." It was used in Latin to mean "the customs, manner, and language of a peculiar people"—most specifically, those who were different from Christians and/or Jews; the heathen.
At this point, some may argue that we're just being picky with terms and that this is all just semantics. But God is also interested in the details...and His details are perfect. It makes sense to believe that we all (the human race) came from one ancestor (Adam, the first of our race), and that he multiplied and God caused Adam's descendants to have varying differences (language, culture, manners, traditions, appearances, etc.) that made them distinct from the other people groups (ethnicities). On the other hand, it is quite confusing to use race and ethnicity interchangeably when they are, in fact, different. The human race came first, then the different ethnicities emerged.
The Solution To Racism
So, how can racism in the United States—and in the world—be defeated? How can people change their perspectives regarding this very unfortunate reality? There is really only one hope: Jesus Christ. Only a true and saving knowledge of the Savior of the world can begin to change the minds of people who in their hearts are racist, prejudiced, or otherwise ill-willed towards fellow humans because of outward physical appearances (or anything else). Only the new birth can make a dead person alive to truly and better love others.
Also, only a return to what the Bible has to say about our origins can help solve this problem—not evolution. Only when people realize that we are all indeed related through Adam, and are even closer related through Christ when they believe, can they appreciate each other more and have open hearts for others without partiality. And only when people recognize that every single person is made in the image and likeness of God, our Creator, will they have a renewed respect and love for others—even others of different ethnicities.
The solutions to racism are not found in protesting, nor writing our representatives for new laws that protect minorities (for that is sometimes counterproductive, as it shows partiality), nor tighter police control, nor racism education, nor political activism, nor even in the eradication of free speech in order to be politically correct in a corrupt society. No. The solution is changed hearts by the One who changes hearts: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior...the one who breaks down the divisions among peoples of all tribes (Galatians 3:28)!
Reflection
If you have found yourself thinking racist thoughts, or have entertained ideas of superiority towards others in any way, you are not alone; this is part of the human condition, this is part of our sinful pride of life. But there is hope for you if you are a believer, for you have the Holy Spirit working within you to look more like Christ every day, and to be able to love others with His perfect love (not your imperfect self-interested love) even when they do not look, act, talk, or think just like you.
If you are an unbeliever, you must know that, although in your heart you may concede that racism is wrong, Christianity offers you the best reason why this is so and the best solution to overcome it. Racism is wrong because it demeans others and their God-given human dignity (because we are all made in His image), it is a teaching contrary to the Bible, and it grieves God. Jesus came to not only tear the veil of separation between God and humanity, but also to tear down the walls of separation between the peoples of this fallen world. Believe in Christ, follow Him, and let Him change your heart to change the world...only then will racism be defeated!
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