A Few Thoughts About Racism

Defined

B1 the theory or opinion that a certain race or races of people, usu. one's own, are superior to others because of certain inborn characteristics. (Source)

B2 Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. (Source)

What the Bible teaches

B1 One race

C1 Acts 17:26 WPNT And from one blood He made every ethnic nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.

D1 Wilbur Pickering adds: Modern medicine has discovered this to be true; blood transfusions across racial boundaries are perfectly possible. Some 4.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘blood’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). (Source See note 3 on Acts 17:26. This is a pdf download).

D2 Jamieson, Faussett, Brown notes: Holding with the Old Testament teaching, that in the blood is the life (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11; Deuteronomy 12:23), the apostle sees this life stream of the whole human race to be one, flowing from one source [Baumgarten]. (Source. Scroll down).

C2 Genesis 10:32 GNB All these peoples are the descendants of Noah, nation by nation, according to their different lines of descent. After the flood all the nations of the earth were descended from the sons of Noah.

C3 ISBE: The solidarity of the race may be said to be as distinctly a doctrine of science as it is of Scripture. It is implied in the account of the Creation and of the Deluge. It is strongly affirmed by Paul in his address to the Athenians (Acts 17:26), and is the foundation of the Biblical scheme of redemption (John 3:16). The human race in the Old Testament is described as "sons of Adam" (Deut 32:8 the King James Version), as derived from one pair (Genesis 1:27; 3:20), as having its origin in one individual (2:18; cf, 1 Corinthians 11:8, where woman is described as derived 'from man'). Hence the term "Adam" is applied to the race as well as to the individual (Genesis 1:26; 2:5, 7; 3:22, 24; 5:2); while in the New Testament this doctrine is applied to the history of redemption - Christ as the "second Adam" restoring what was lost in the "first Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 47-49).

B2 One attitude

C1 God wants all saved:

D1 John 3:16 WPNT Because God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted but should have eternal life.

D2 Acts 10:34-35 NRSV Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

C2 God wants all. Compare the Christian family. Acts 2:43-47 NLT A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

B3 One Law

C1 Love neighbor as one’s self

D1 Leviticus 19:18 NRSV You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

D2 Matthew 5:43-45 NRSV You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

D3 Romans 13:10 NRSV Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

D4 How? Jesus answers with the illustration of the Good Samaritan.

E1 We learn that those who know the Mosaic Law best, frequently practice it the least.

E2 Those who are very religious are often only religious in words only, not in what they do.

E3 Those who are despised for their origins or family history by governments and society usually do help those in need.

E4 These are examples/principles for us to follow.

E5 Jesus lived the same as He taught. Compare Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24ff), Roman officer (Luke 7:1ff), Gentile region of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1ff), and a Samaritan city Sychar (John 4:1ff).

C2 Fair

D1 Treating all equally.

D2 Leviticus 19:15 NLT Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

D3 Deuteronomy 24:17 NLT True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow's garment as security for her debt.

D4 Deuteronomy 27:19 NLT Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'

D5 Proverbs 18:5 NLT It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

D6 Isaiah 61:11 NLT The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

D7 James 2:1-4 NRSV My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

D8 God does treat those who love God and keep His rules more than those who hate God and rebel against His rules.

C3 Treat all well

D1 Luke 6:31 NRSV Do to others as you would have them do to you.

D2 Proverbs 16:11 GNB The LORD wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.

The heart is what is important not the characteristics of one’s body.

B1 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

B2 Proverbs 21:2 NLT People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

B3 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

Jeremiah 17:10 NLT But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.

There is only one race.

Outward character traits mean nothing.

We are to show love and kindness to all.

We are to think and live God’s ways.