TRUE Equality: Confronting Racism As Christ Followers Part 1
by Akua Carmichael
Several months ago, I was speaking with a white Christian I had just met. We were learning about each other’s background, family and career experiences. My impression of the individual was quite positive. We share similar beliefs and values based on our Christian faith and the individual seemed to be a lovely person. Then came the bombshell.
The person owns rental properties and acknowledged engaging in discriminatory practices by intentionally not renting to people of a particular race out of fear they would not pay rent on time. This fear was based on nothing more than stereotypical thinking. I asked how this behaviour aligned with our shared Christian faith. There was an acknowledgement that it did not, and an admission such behaviour was unacceptable. The person also shared that eventually they did start renting to people from this particular racial group, and found them to be very good tenants, who paid on time. Ironically, my friend recounted having far more trouble collecting rent from the white tenants. Imagine that.
Biblical response to racism
Racism is a cancer upon society. It sometimes spreads insidiously and undetected, and at other times in blatant and barbaric fashion, resulting in harm to the affected people and communities in its path.
Engaging in racially discriminatory behaviour is dehumanizing to both the recipient who experiences some form of disadvantage, and the perpetrator, who permits their conduct to fall to a much lower standard than they are capable of as a human being.
What is the biblical response to racism? The bible certainly deals with the issue of inequality. James 2:8-9 (NLT) states:
“Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”
As Christ followers, we should continually remind ourselves that racism is sin and offensive to God. Christians are admonished on several occasions not to show partiality, because even God refrains from preferring one group, race, or people (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34-35). The bible reminds us that we are all created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and as believers in Christ, we are one people, united in Him.
“Then Peter replied, ‘I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.’” Acts 10:34-35 NLT
This is part 1 of a two part piece on TRUE equality. Check back in next week for Part 2: The Solution to Racism and the Christian’s Impact.
Akua Carmichael is a wife, mother, lawyer, and teacher. She is also the author of My Lifeprint - an estate planning manual and workbook and You Are Priceless, a 31 day women’s devotional journal. Akua is also a board member of Gather.