Embedded Files
In thinking about the protests around the country and the renewed discussion concerning racial justice I have been looking for clear and concrete Christian engagement on this issue.
I was struck by one presentation that called on the Church not to just reflect racial diversity but to declare and promote racial diversity. Churches should pursue being multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural congregations.
From Pentecost (Acts 1:5-12) through Paul’s (possibly) last letter to the Ephesians which summarizes what he taught throughout his ministry (Ep 2:11-22; 3:15; 4:1-6), God the Holy Spirit has been set on reversing Babel.
I have also been struck by the statement:
“Until those who are unaffected are outraged, nothing will change.”
I wanted to recommend some resources on racism. This is certainly not the end all and be all and I would welcome hearing what you have found and what your church is doing. These resources are just the tip of what’s out there and they will lead you to other resources. I found them particularly provocative and helpful.
These two entries from Phil Vischer of Veggie Tales fame, are an excellent overview and a place to get started.
Say No to Christian Nationalism
Here is a statement by a breadth of church leaders that is well worth seeing and signing.
Bryan Stevenson HOW WE ARRIVED HERE - 4 minute video by Christian lawyer and author of Just Mercy.
GRACE, JUSTICE, AND MERCY: An Evening with Bryan Stevenson and Tim Keller - A must see presentation. Keller gives an overview of the Biblical call to justice followed by Stevenson talking about race and the justice system.
"George Floyd and Me” by Shai Linne TGC-SL
This short article gives you a feel for being black in American by a Christian hip hop artist.
“Undivided: Your Church and Racial Reconciliation” UNDIVIDED https://www.namb.net/undivided/
A well put together 5 session series.
A black pastor and a white pastor discuss racial issues and how they effect the life of the church and her witness. Short videos and study guides. All free. Highly recommended for personal or group study.
Racial Unity course offered by The Gospel Coalition RACIAL UNITY Videos, audio messages, study questions, additional resources.
Both Undivided and Racial Unity were developed a few years before the present circumstances and yet are highly relevant to what we are dealing with today.
“Jazzing Hellwards: The Painful History of White Protestant Church Segregation and What It Means Today" June 28 – Marta Crilly, Historian and Archivist - This talk given at L'Abri Southborough, MA is an excellent overview of the American church's relation to racial issues. L'Abri
Excellent books on Christianity and racism:
The Color of Compromise: The turth about the American church's complicity in racism; Jemar Tisby; Zondervan; 2019
White Too Long; Robert P. Jones; Simon & Schuster; 2020
The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future; Robert P. Jones; Simon & Schuster; 2023
Reading While Black; Esau McCaulley; IVP; 2020
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice; Jemar Tisby; Zondervan; 2021
The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity; IVP; Soong-Chan Rah
Building a Multiehtnic Church: A Gospel Vision of Love, Grace, and Reconciliation in a Divided World; Derwin Gray; Nelson; 2015, 2021
“Privilege” Pastor Tyler Gorsline PRIVILEGE
A fresh reflection on Nehemiah 1. A message to white Christians on a Godly response to Listen, Lament, Repent, and Act.
Every year I would do a session in Biblical Worldview Ethics on Racism in my ethics class at the Bible college where I taught. I've reworked the powerpoint. If you are interested in having this powerpoint just let me know and I’ll gladly send it to you.
The Atlantic put together a list (and links) to articles that have covered race and racism over the past 163 years (some date to before the Civil War). I have certainly not read all these but I have found The Atlantic to be an excellent source of in-depth, sound journalism. HOW DID WE GET HERE
Ed Stetzer interview with Esau McCaulley (NT prof at Wheaton). STETZER
Biblically and experientially informed discussion.
4 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Colorblind - Excellent little article on why Christians should see and care about race.
Jesus Is Not Color Blind - Similar to the article above but a little more indepth.
Brief History of Critical Race Theory - This article from The Atlantic begins by discussing Republican stances on CRT but gives a good overview of where CRT came from and what it is.
Be The Bridge Podcast #209 - CRT (Critical Race Theory) Why is this a repeat of history? with Dr. Christina Edmondson & Jemar Tisby. An excellent and balanced discussion.
Be The Bridge Podcast #209 - CRT (Critical Race Theory) Why is this a repeat of history? with Dr. Christina Edmondson & Jemar Tisby. An excellent and balanced discussion.
A Christianity Today webinar about the facts, falsehoods, and theological implications of critical race theory—and the way forward for the church.
A Christianity Today webinar about the facts, falsehoods, and theological implications of critical race theory—and the way forward for the church.
Here is a statement recently crafted by a group of pastors of which Chris Raker is a part.
Here is a statement recently crafted by a group of pastors of which Chris Raker is a part.
COVENANT PASTORS GROUP
COVENANT PASTORS GROUP
As Christian ministers and churches we are committed to the Biblical teaching that every man and woman are of equal worth. All are equally created in God’s image and deserving of equal rights in society and law.
As evangelical Christians and churches we categorically oppose racism whatever its label and wherever it is found. White supremacy, white nationalism, systemic racism, racial inequality, racial injustice, and personal racial hatred are antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, we affirm that to support, encourage, or take part in racist groups and their activities or to indulge in or accept personal racism or to support systemic institutional racism has no place in the Christian life. And to stay silent in the face of such monstrous sin and injustice shows neither love for Jesus nor love for the humanity for whom He died.
We attest to the equality of all races, knowing that every human being is made in the image of God.
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27
...and He made from one man/blood every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth...
Acts 17:26a
We affirm that, not only is all of humanity made in God’s image and thus of equal value, all of humanity stands in need of God’s saving grace and is the focus of His incredible love.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
This fundamental equality of all human beings is the true understanding of human dignity and worth, and we call upon all Christians and Christian churches to actively teach, defend, advocate, and advance this truth.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him. Romans 10:12
Any affront to a child of God must be an affront to all Christians and all people.
However, it is simply not enough to say all people are made in God’s image and that all people are in need of Jesus Christ. We understand that there is historical and present injustice when it comes to race, and that this is contrary to the gospel.
While statements like, “All lives matter,” and “I don’t, or our church doesn’t, see color,” may be well meant, they miss the point that many lives – and black lives in particular – have often not been and are not now being seen in the United States as mattering. As ministers, we stand with Jesus’ desire to care for the minority, the different, and the oppressed (Lk 4:18-19; Mt 18:12-14) and God’s desire for justice particularly for the marginalized (Is 58).
In addition, we affirm that God is not color-blind but rather that He delights in the diversity of His creation and His church (Ps 67:1-4; Is 49:6; Jr 3:17; Ze 2:10-11; 1Co 12; Ep 2; Rv 5:9; 7:9). To that end, we seek to pastor our churches and ministries not to just be multi-colored but to truly be multi-cultural. Not erasing ethnic and cultural differences but uniting them in Christ whose Lordship is celebrated in diversity.
We hear God’s call to learn to do good, to seek justice (not just for ourselves but for others), and to reprove the ruthless (Is 1:16-17; Jr 22:3; Ma 3:5; Mt 25:35-36). We humbly submit ourselves to that call and strive to live it out.
We stand alongside and support the peaceful demonstrations for those grieving both the recent deaths and overt societal racism, and we deplore the minority of those attempting to turn the rightful peaceful acts of awareness into violence and mayhem.
We commit ourselves to actively oppose the death-dealing powers of white supremacy and systemic racism that traffic in violence, oppression, idolatry, and blasphemy.
We commit ourselves to confess the sin of division everywhere, lament oppression and violence everywhere, and seek healing and restored relationships everywhere.
While no statement is perfect and no statement can cover every nuance we put this forth as an expression of our commitment to think and act Biblically.
As Christians and evangelical ministers we stand united against racism.
Rev. Dr. Joe Greene, 2nd Baptist Church, So. Hadley, MA
Rev. David Levandusky, Living Waters Assembly of God, Greenfield, MA
Rev. Dr. Don Lundgren, College Church, Northampton, MA
Rev. Chris Raker, Vertical101 Ministries, Amherst, MA
Laurie Greeley, Westfield, MA
Here is a statement a group of pastors issued in 2017 after the white supremacist rally at Charlottesville, VA.
Here is a statement a group of pastors issued in 2017 after the white supremacist rally at Charlottesville, VA.
STATEMENT ON RACISM PIONEER VALLEY PASTORS’ PRAYER
STATEMENT ON RACISM PIONEER VALLEY PASTORS’ PRAYER
As evangelical Christians and churches we categorically oppose racism. The agendas of the Ku Klux Klan, white supremacists, white nationalists, the Alt-Right, and Neo-Nazis are antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, we affirm that to support, encourage, or take part in these groups and their activities (or to indulge in or accept personal racism) has no place in the Christian life. And to stay silent in the face of such monstrous sin shows neither love for Jesus nor the humanity for whom He died.
We attest to the equality of all races, knowing that every human being is made in the image of God.
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27
...and He made from one {man/blood} every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth... Acts 17:26a
We stand in solidarity with all those who have fought, often to the last full measure, to overthrow racism in the modern era: the abolitionists of the Civil War, those who opposed the racism of the Nazis and Imperial Japan during the Second World War, and those who advocated for civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s, along with those who continue to work for human equality and dignity today.
We affirm that not only is all of humanity made in God’s image and thus of equal value, all of humanity stands in need of God’s saving grace and is the focus of His incredible love.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
This fundamental equality of all human beings is the true understanding of human dignity and worth, and we call upon all Christians and Christian churches to verbally and actively teach, defend, and advance this truth.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him. Romans 10:12
On behalf of the Pioneer Valley Pastors’ Prayer, the Servant Committee:
Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Haqq, Christ Community Church, Belchertown, MA
Rev. Dave Levandusky, Living Waters Assembly of God Church, Greenfield, MA
Rev. Dr. Don Lundgren, College Church, Northampton, MA
Rev. Chris Raker, Vertical101 Ministries, Instructor Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies, Amherst, MA
Rev. Jason Steele, Christ the King, Westfield, MA
Additional pastors who signed on:
Rev. Dr. Joe Greene, 2nd Baptist Church, So. Hadley, MA
We encourage churches and ministries to link to this statement from your website.
As Christian evangelical churches and ministries, let’s stand united against racism.
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