Is There Such Thing as Race?
As I write this, there are many race protests and even riots going on around North America. Everyone has an opinion. Including me.
One person on Facebook made this comment:
- There is very little genetic differences between the races.
- Therefore there are no races.
- Therefore there is no such thing as racism.
I have seen other Christians also claim that biblically there is no such thing as race and therefore, people shouldn’t not be demonstrating against racism. That is not helpful.
What are the facts?
- There are physical differences among people based on where their ancestors were from. I’m not sure this is exactly race, as race suggests differences greater than just physical appearance.
- However, thousands of years of human history have made such a big deal of these differences to such a degree that races as a social construct are real aside from the lack of genetic differences.
- Certain races have used their power to take advantage and marginalize those races that they saw as inferior.
- Even if official racist policies have been abolished, we still live in the shadow of those long standing practices. There are prejudices, even if some people it is subconscious.
How should the church respond?
I definitely don’t think that we should tolerate racism out of fear that seeking racial justice is too much a part of the “liberal agenda.” I have seen some Christians spending more time criticizing critical theory than criticizing racism. I’m not saying critical theory is good, I’m saying there are more important battles to fight.
I’m proud that it was a Baptist pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr. who stood up to racism in his day. The church needs to be on the frontline when it comes to standing up to racism today.
But what of standing up to racism is not helpful in the culture war against liberals?
I say, to hell with the culture wat.
What matters is living faithfully to Jesus, which means acting justly to our fellow human beings.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
if you want to cite the OT, then you are stuck with your god approving not acting justly to our fellow human beings and insisting that slaves never seek freedom.
” You shall not rule over them with harshness, but shall fear your God. 44 As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. 45 You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. 46 You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves, but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness.” – Leviticus 25
“18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. ” 1 Peter 2