RACE, RACISM AND HATRED

 RACE, RACISM AND HATRED

INTRO

The church was designed to be on the forefront of the conversations about race. The church

has been called to speak out against oppression, defend the marginalized, live as peacemakers

and lead their communities in reconciliation and transformative change. The issue of race is

rooted in a bigger issue of sin in the human heart

I. ORIGINAL SIN

Rom 5:12

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and

thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

Psalm 51:5

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me

Rom 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Ex. Depravity of Humanity (Pig will be a Pig)

1. Shame

Gen 3:7

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were

naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings

2. Division and Hatred

 Casting of Personal Responsibility through blame

Gen 3:8-13 (Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the Serpent)

 Jealousy and Murder

Gen 6:5-8 (Cain killed Abel)

 The World System

Gen 3:17-19

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife and

have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not

eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the

days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and

you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat

bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; For dust you

are, and to dust you shall return.”

There is a connection between sin and the creation (structures and systems)

II. Individual Sin vs Structural Sin

Lam 5:7

Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their iniquities.

Ezek. 18:1-8

The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2  “What do you mean when you use

this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour

grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3  “As I live,” says the Lord GOD,

“you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 “Behold, all souls are Mine, The soul

of the father. As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. 5 But

if a man is just And does what is lawful and right; 6 If he has not eaten on the

mountains, Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, Nor defiled his

neighbor’s wife, Nor approached a woman during her impurity; 7 If he has not

oppressed anyone, But has restored to the debtor his pledge; Has robbed no one by

violence, But has given his bread to the hungry And covered the naked with clothing;

8 If he has not exacted usury Nor taken any increase, But has withdrawn his hand

from iniquity And executed true judgment between man and man

Ex. If Cain were Mayor how would his policies affect Abel

Anything that simply blames a system but totally removes the possibility of

individual culpability is wrong and unbiblical

1. Historical Manifestations

a. Pre-Flood

Gen 6:5-8

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and

that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6  And

the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved

in His heart. 7  So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from

the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air,

for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of

the LORD

b. Aztec’s Atrocities

c. Romans and Greeks Barbaric Influences

d. Slavery

e. Apartheid

f. Holocaust

g. Rwanda Genocide

h. Jim Crow

i. Racial Conflict

III. EFFORTS AT ATTEMPTING TO BRING CHANGE

1. Humanistic Methods

Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the potential and

agency of human beings, individually and socially. It considers human

beings as the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry.

Humanists believe that human experience and rational thinking provide

the only source of both knowledge and a moral code to live by. They reject

the idea of knowledge 'revealed' to human beings by God, gods, or in

special books.

Science, Advancements and technology…The best of humanity can reform us

Psalm 14:1

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have

done abominable works, There is none who does good

2. Communist Marxist Efforts

Karl Marx studied philosophy at the University of Berlin and received a doctorate

from the University of Jena in 1841, He then turned to journalism, where his

investigations disclosed what he perceived as systematic injustice and corruption

at all levels of German society.

Views so radical resulted in him being forced vacate to Paris where he met

Frederich Engels.

Appalled by the poverty and squalor in which ordinary workers lived and worked

Marx and Engels maintained that the poverty, disease, and early death that

afflicted the proletariat, (the industrial working class) were endemic to

capitalism: they were systemic and structural problems that could be resolved

only by replacing capitalism with communism.

Under this alternative system, the major means of industrial production—such

as mines, mills, factories, and railroads—would be publicly owned and operated

for the benefit of all.

Marx laid the theoretical foundations of communism, first in German Ideology

(written 1845–46, published 1932) and later in Das Kapital (1867; Capital). His

theory has three main aspects: first, a materialist conception of history; second,

a critique of capitalism and its inner workings; and third, an account of the

revolutionary overthrow of capitalism and its eventual replacement by

communism.

Marx held that human history had progressed through a series of stages, from

ancient slave society through feudalism to capitalism. In each stage a dominant

class uses its control of the means of production to exploit the labour of a larger

class of workers. But internal tensions or “contradictions” in each stage

eventually lead to the overthrow and replacement of the ruling class by its

successor. Thus, the bourgeoisie overthrew the aristocracy and replaced

feudalism with capitalism. Marx predicted, the proletariat overthrow the

bourgeoisie and replace capitalism with communism.

Marx acknowledged that capitalism was a historically necessary stage of

development that had brought about remarkable scientific and technological

changes—changes that greatly increased aggregate wealth by extending

humankind’s power over nature. The problem, Marx believed, was that this

wealth—and the political power and economic opportunities that went with

it—was unfairly distributed

There is a dominant ideology pervasive through all society and even the inferior

class embraces it.

False consciousness makes them embrace this. The number one false

consciousness is religion. Marx called it “the opiate of the people”

Marx believed that capitalism is a volatile economic system that will suffer a

series of ever-worsening crises, recessions and depressions - that will produce

greater unemployment, lower wages, and increasing misery among the industrial

proletariat. These crises will convince the proletariat that its interests as a class

are implacably opposed to those of the ruling bourgeoisie. Armed with

revolutionary class consciousness, the proletariat will seize the major means of

production along with the institutions of state power— police, courts, prisons,

and so on—and establish a socialist state that Marx called “the revolutionary

dictatorship of the proletariat. The proletariat will thus rule in its own class

interest, as the bourgeoisie did before, in order to prevent a counterrevolution

by the displaced bourgeoisie. Once this threat disappears, however, the need

for the state will also disappear. Thus, the interim state will wither away and

be replaced by a classless communist society. 1

Won’t happen. It will simply cause the proletariat to become the bourgeoisie.

Other branches of the same root

a. Liberation Theology

b. Black Liberation Theology

c. Critical Theory

d. Critical Race Theory

1. Paul the Apostle and James Cone

Jewish Oppression: Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and

now Romans. They were banished from Rome two hundred years ago and

tried again thirty years ago. Romans have invaded occupied Jerusalem. The

Roman taxation system kept many Jews poor.

Here’s What Paul does not say…

Look at all the horrors Roman and Greek Ancestors unleashed on the Jews.”

He does not say, “Jewish believers, wake up to the fact that the gentiles have

long oppressed you and that they are presently benefitting from all that

injustice.”

Ex. He understood such language would pit one group against another and it

would split the church.

a. He declared sin is everyone’s issue not just the dominant race

Romans 3:9

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have

previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin

Romans 3:10-12

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none

who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all

turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none

who does good, no, not one.

No ethnic or religious group identity can absolve anyone from evil.

“For there is no distinction”—meaning no difference between one

people group and another—“for all have sinned and fall short of the

glory of God.”

b. Second, Paul declared that being “in Christ Jesus” is a new identity

that transcends other group identities.

Gal 3:26-28

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27  For as many

of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28  There is

neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither

male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, ethnic enemies become family, oppressed and oppressors

become brothers and sisters, and privileged and underprivileged

become siblings under the same all-loving Father.

Ex. Ted Vail

c. Third, Paul declared that God alone can absolve us of sin through

what Jesus did on the cross.

Eph 2:13-14

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought

near by the blood of Christ. 14  For He Himself is our peace, who has

made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ

Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the

Spirit

Romans 8:33-34

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

34  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is

also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes

intercession for us

Contrast Paul’s approach with that of James Cone the father of black liberation

theology. This was his understanding of reconciliation.

When whites undergo the true experience of conversion wherein they die to

whiteness and are reborn anew in order to struggle against white oppression

and for the liberation of the oppressed, there is a place for them in the black

struggle of freedom. Here reconciliation becomes God’s gift of blackness through

the oppressed of the land. But it must be made absolutely clear that it is the

black community that decides both the authenticity of white conversion and also

the part these converts will play in the black struggle for freedom. The converts

can have nothing to say about the validity of their conversion experience or what

is best for the community or their place in it, except as permitted by the

oppressed community itself. . . . White converts, if there are any to be found,

must be made to realize that they are like babies who have barely learned to

walk and talk. . . . They must be told when to speak and what to say, otherwise

they will be excluded from our struggle. . . . Unless whites can get every single

black person to agree that reconciliation is realized, there is no place

whatsoever for white rhetoric about the reconciling love of blacks and whites. .

. . Just because we work with them and sometimes worship alongside them

should be no reason to claim that they are truly Christians and thus part of our

struggle.” 2

2. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

IV. BIBLICAL WAYS TO AFFECT THE SYSTEM OF SIN

a. Transformation of the human Heart through the gospel

Romans 8:18-22

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be

compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19  For the earnest

expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God

20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who

subjected it in hope 21  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the

bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22  For we

know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until

now.

Earnest Expectation – apokaradokia - A watching with the head erect and

outstretched. Hence a waiting in suspense

In Gen 3:17 – Creation suffered. The systems were tainted by man’s sin

Manifestation - is apokalupsis (ἀποκαλυψις), “an uncovering, a laying bare

the non-rational creation, subject to the curse put upon it because of man’s sin,

is expectantly waiting for the glorification of the saints, that it also may be

delivered from the curse under which it now exists.

This has a future and present meaning. The sons of God can now manifest and

make a difference in creation

Aztec’s Atrocities

Romans and Greeks Barbaric Influences

Slavery

Holocaust

Apartheid

Rwanda Genocide

Jim Crow

Racial Conflict

The influence of Christ has conquered these systems.

b. Discipling of the people into mature disciples

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all

things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end

of the age.

c. Entering into unjust systems and changing what you can (If you are called)

Matthew 28:18-20

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19  Go therefore and

make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all things that I have

commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age

d. Praying. Ex. At rally we ain’t praying we have prayed long enough

1 Peter 2:1-2

Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and

giving of thanks be made for all men, 2  for kings and all who are in authority, that

we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence

2 Chron 7:14

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and

seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and

will forgive their sin and heal their land

e. Nonviolent Resistance

f. Embracing individual responsibility

Matthew 7:5

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the

plank in your own eye? 4  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the

speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5  Hypocrite! First

remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove

the speck from your brother’s eye

Ex. Projects I grew up in and Grace Church School

Some proponents of modern day racial conflict theory believe that a minority

group cannot be racist because they are not in power. Just as cancer in any

group is cantankerous, hatred and bigoted attitudes in any group is destructive.

Hatred anywhere is just as bad as hatred everywhere. Allowing the x-ray of

honesty to reveal it in our hearts is a step towards reconciliation

g. As much as you can live at peace with all

Rom 12:18

  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men

We are to seek peace, not disunity or division. If conflict comes to us, we can’t

help that but we are not to be the initiators of conflict. In this I do not say we are

not to fight against wrong laws, or unjust standards. But when we do our aim

should be peace as children of the Prince of Peace. Some Alternate Theories in

their essence sets people against each other based on skin color and class

distinctions. It doesn’t result in peace. Our end goal should be peace not simply a

reversal of position.

h. Esteem others as better than you are

Phil 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind

let each esteem others better than himself. 4  Let each of you look out not only for

his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Seeking the best interest of others is a superior way to live. It will rank you as a

Captain in the Army faith. Esteeming others as better than you are…that’s at

least Brigadier General capacity.

When the value of your fellow human is higher than that of yourself respect will

automatically follow. There is a certain dignity you will assign to them that will

break stereo types and mend offenses. Instead of devaluing an individual based

on the ethnic group they are assigned as some theories do, you value them

based on the image they bear. We are all stamped with the image and likeness

of God. Some say the best view is from the top I believe it’s from the bottom.

When I lower myself to raise you up I am never more clear. I can see what’s

wrong with you but it doesn’t blind me to what is good in you.

i. Recognize the high place of being in Christ

Rom 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to

those who are the called according to His purpose

God is helplessly redemptive…He can’t help himself. Everything in Him tends

towards redemption to such a degree that nothing can happen to you that He

will not work out for your good. Nothing! This verse is not qualified by whether

the events were good or bad. All things means everything. The worst pain your

enemies can assign can result in the greatest progress if you are in Christ. This

actually means you cannot loose. Even if you lose the game, you win the series.

My concern with Some racial Theories is they constantly remind you of victim

status. Every person of the dominant race is overtly or complicitly oppressing

you and you are hopelessly oppressed by it unless you become the majority. I

disagree with this strongly. I You are already in a majority through Christ. You

are literally winning all the time. God will ultimately turn every curve ball into a

grand slam in your life. You must not accept the victim or oppressed status…You

are liberated. You are not free due to outward circumstances but because of

inward reality. I AM lives in you. How can you be under?

j. Lovingly confront individuals and systems with a goal towards reconciliation

2 Tim 2:25

in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant

them repentance, so that they may know the truth

Since injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere as MLK Jr. wisely

stated. We must at times take both indirect and direct action against what does

not line up with the heart and the Word of God. The tension produced by

confrontation is sometimes essential. Jesus did not just come to bring pseudo

peace but authentic peace. Sometimes authentic peace is through conflict.

When we must confront our method is what will make a world of difference. Our

methods of confrontation may range from verbal to non-violent resistance. But

they must be laced with love and garnished with humility. Anything other than

this frequency will produce a dissonant chord. Some racial theories do not hope

to bring peace through reconciliation. It only seeks to be critical and blame

people for their birth status as part of a dominant oppressive race. Individualism

is almost obliterated. The group you belong to is your sin. If your group is

dominant, you have no right to even debate issues that those of the minority

group face. Group identity reigns. If we swallow such theories they will produce

the bitter indigestion of increased race and class warfare. It doesn’t resolve or

dissolve. It only enflames.

The gospel way is better. It will produce the desired result of reconciliation for

those willing to reconcile.

k. Set your hope on the coming utopia

1 Peter 1:13

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon

the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

We live in such an unjust broken world. The fall of man and the ensuing sinful

nature humanity inherited has produced a viral strain of division that is

constantly mutating. As a result of the depravity of man I fear that if we had the

pill that totally solved the racial divisiveness across the globe, the virus would

still emerge in classism, sexism or some other “ism”. Scripture reveals that things

will not be perfected until Jesus returns and sets up His Kingdom. It is then we

will experience true earthly justice before tasting heavenly eternal justice. The

Prophet Isaiah writing of Jesus declared “ He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till

He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.

(Isaiah 42:4).

We must still fight for every form of true justice we can attain on this earth. God

wants earth as it is in Heaven. But lest we become weary and worn know that

the bell will ring soon, and the winner of fight will be Jesus. He will get the

champions belt and if faithful, we the victors crown.

Stick with the Biblical Solutions and resist any other system. It will be worth it

temporally and eternally.