(1) We must see the whole of humanity as originating from God.
(2) We must view humanity through the eyes of God’s image.
(3) We must view the whole of humanity as proceeding from one primary human progenitor.
(4) We must learn from the example of one our prominent forebears who demonstrated the relative unimportance of race in the contraction of human relations such as marriage.
(5) We must also note that Christ exemplified in his life what our attitude should be toward others regardless of their racial makeup.
He ends with these exhortations:
If you are guilty of racism, whatever form it takes, remember that there is an answer. Christ came to take away sin, including the sin of racism. He came to set it at naught so that it would not master us, and accumulated for us an eternal weight of punishment. He can free you from it now, if you will repent and call upon his name.
Remember also to cleanse your mind of all the prejudice and error that you may have grown up with and clothe yourself with the truth of the Bible. Only a true biblical theology can deliver you from racial pride and prejudice. And when study your Bible correctly, you will find that because God is a God of Creation you can’t but affirm the unity of the human race. Because God is a God of History you can’t but affirm the diversity of ethnic cultures. Because he is the God of Revelation, you can’t but affirm the finality of Jesus Christ. And because He is the God of Redemption, you can’t but affirm the glory of the Christian church in which all men regardless of their language, clan, nation or race are indwelled by one Spirit and are under one head – the Lord Jesus Christ.
A few other links on race relations:
- Anthony Bradley on The Divided Church.
- David Fitch on What Kind of Diversity? Seeking a Diversity that Matters Around the Table.
- John Piper's sermons on Racial Harmony.
- Think Christian on The Church, Racism, and Historical Injustice.
No comments:
Post a Comment