The Church Should Lead in Race Relations
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 11/07/2008 at 9:37 AM
I've been thinking a lot about reflections recently. The way marriage reflects Christ's relationship with the church. The way families reflect the trinity. The way the Body of Christ reflects the unity of God.
In the fourth part of his series on race relations, Thabiti Anyabwile argues that racial reconciliation in the church reflects the "one new man" in Ephesians 2. In fact, the church is a primary place where racial unity can, and should, take place:
The local church penultimately displays the unity and solidarity we have in Christ, the "race"-abolishing oneness we share with Him and with each other.
The local church is not a perfect display. Some people fear that talk of ethnic unity in the church borrows too much from the perfection that lies ahead in heaven.
It seems to me that our problem leans in the other direction. We need to live more fully in the already. We live beneath our inheritance in Christ. If Esau sold his inheritance for a bowl of porridge, we've sold an even greater inheritance for his leftovers. If the prodigal squandered his inheritance, we're the older brother refusing to rejoice and receive our once-dead sibling.
This message comes at a great time. With the election to office of the first African-American president, we're all wondering if race relations will get better or worse. As Christians, our responsibility, regardless of the social climate, is to make them better by receiving the inheritance of oneness Christ offers us. Unfortunately, embracing this inheritance doesn't come easily.
Our love seeks the limits of convenience and familiarity, to be bounded by the ease that "race" offers, when Christ calls us to a largeness and breadth of love that is like His own, that assembles and gathers and loves and gives to every nation, tribe and language. And that's to be displayed in our churches.
Is there any biblical justification for the socially and ethnically stratified existence of the American church? Even if the fulfillment awaits the final things, shouldn't we incline ourselves to living and experiencing more and more of that reality while we wait?
Think of what a testimony the church would be if it embraced the future reality of all men and women being united under Christ. And, I suppose, that's precisely why it's so difficult. That is the kind of imagery Satan tries to erase in this world. The church should be leading the way in race relations. After all, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us succeed. For a primer on how to lead, read Anyabwile's series:
1. Rachael said the following at 9:48 AM on Nov 7:
Thanks for putting a word to the thoughts in your first paragraph: 'reflections'. That word might end up sticking with me for the rest of my life. I like reflections. Thanks for attaching a word to the concept :)
2. BDB said the following at 11:15 AM on Nov 7:
This is a good start.
Proposition 8 in California had a lot of support from Obama voters. Exit polls show that 70% of black and latino voters voted "Yes" on Prop 8 to restore traditional marriage. In other words, if Obama hadn't motivated a bunch of new minority voters to turt out for him, Prop 8 would have failed.
The people who are willing are stand up for traditional marriage really ought to talk to each other more.
3. jpe said the following at 6:45 PM on Nov 7:
I'd be willing to bet that the evangelical community remains an predominantly white institution for the next decade.
What do you guys think?
4. R.L. said the following at 9:40 PM on Nov 7:
Suzanne, I'll tell you the truth, I don't really hear too many white people address race relations in the Church. I mean...the Church is definitely divided especially on Sundays. The kind of movement you speak of is going to take a lot of vulnerability...meaning...trust in Christ...rather than fear.
Who will respond? What color will they be? What ideologies on race do they hold due to what has been passed down to them...I'm curious.
Suzanne, it's my belief that, fear of other colors or down right disgust of them (I'd rather say that than racism), will continue to be a problem even in the church.
I'm going to use one of the most intimate forms of relationship...marriage.
I believe that if a white or black Christian holds on to the idea that even blacks and whites shouldn't marry...then it will never change.
I'm not saying that black and white should just get together for the sake of mixing in marriage.
Imagine the ideologies of the bloggers both black, white, and so on who hold to the belief that interracial relations is not okay.
People will often say...no (and I've yet to hear a black or biracial person say this...I've only heard it many times from white people)...it will be hard on the children. Yes, that's true...it will be hard...but why? Are the children making it hard on themselves. No...there is an outside force...people who still hold on to their ideologies...even from inside the Church...both black and white.
I am black. I remember talking to a black friend of mine. I was telling her about the Japanese students I had met in college. I was so excited to meet these people from another country. It hurt me when this black friend said, "Ew...I wouldn't hang with a Jap." I was appalled that even black people would hold this contempt for other colors, especially after what has been said and is being said about us based on our color.
Satan has done a pretty GOOD job of tapping into this aspect of humanity.
We put faith in our color rather than in Christ:
How many times have I allowed the color of my skin to keep me insecure in a predominantly white society?
How many times have others done the same?
How many times have others in the church knowingly kept to their "own kind" just because they don't like other colors...or maybe they just fear the other color?
What does that fear look like?:
--not talking to the other color due to the belief that you probably don't have anything in common anyway, so why bother?
--I don't know...whatever you talk to your friends about (hatefully or curiously) concerning the other color...things you wouldn't dare say to the other color...
--Other
The opposite of faith is fear. Fear hides behind excuses of why people shouldn't mix racially. And hate is also a sibling of fear.
My ma told me she only cares that I marry a Christian man. I am encouraged that she put faith in Christ above color.
5. Andrea said the following at 3:25 AM on Nov 8:
If the church was a leader in race relations I think it would do A LOT with non-believers when it comes to witnessing.
But considering that history shows that many whites used the Bible, and a belief that maybe blacks deserve misfortune b/c of the "curse of Ham" to promote slavery, I don't see how this will happen.
There are still those who would be willing to say (if they were honest with themselves) that maybe American slavery was good for blacks b/c at least the whites taught them about Jesus. What?!! Many blacks came to know Jesus despite slavery, not b/c of it. Putting a "Christian" veneer on imperialism and oppression doesn't make it right.
Honestly, I don't hold out hope for racial unity on this Earth. That's like hoping for an end of sinning. I do wish that the church could be an exception to this. And I do look forward to universal racial harmony in Heaven and on the New Earth.
But some will say that b/c Obama was elected that proves that racism isn't an issue anymore in America. How can that be true when: when Obama first started his campaign people just knew he wouldn't win BECAUSE he was black; mid-way through people started to say he might win IN SPITE OF the fact that he's black; and now that he's won, he won ONLY because he's black? Oddly enough, these are the same people who love to throw out the MLK quote on judging a man by "the content of his character."
This past presidential race has really put a spotlight on the pink elephant in the room when it comes to Christians. When speaking of the religious vote in politics the immediate association is with white evangelicals voting Republican. Why when speaking of the Christian vote are blacks, Latinos or other minorities who believe in Jesus, but maybe don't vote Republican, never addressed? It's b/c of the unspoken (and racially motivated) belief that blacks and other minorities have an inferior belief in God, so of course they're not depending on the Bible to make voting decisions. Because if they did, they would of course come to understand that God has universally, and without reserve bequeathed His blessing on all things Republican. Thus saith the Republicans, is almost equivalent to "thus saith the Lord."
God is NOT a Republican or Democrat!! That bears repeating: God is NOT a Republican or a Democrat. And Christians can have biblical reasons for voting for candidates from either party (I have voted for both personally). But to hear some people tell it, voting Democratic is equivalent to taking the mark of the Beast.
Not to mention, we live in a time where inaccurate pictures of a white Jesus with blond, flowing hair are never questioned. Many Christians today even want to disassociate themselves with the fact that Jesus was Jewish, and came to Earth as the Jews Messiah.
On a final note: some non-minorities love to proclaim that they don't see color or race and are colorblind. To me, being colorblind is NOT something to strive for. The unspoken implication is (whether or not people realize it), "I don't see color when I look at people, which is a good thing, b/c if I did you would be in trouble." What color skin a person has is blatantly evident when looking at them. So rather than striving to enter into some kind of visual/intellectual colorblind paradox, it would be much better to acknowledge race in other people, and racial differences between groups, and yet NOT allow seeing those differences to equate to a negative prejudice. I believe people will retain their racial markers in Heaven (the Bible says their will be people there from every tribe and nation), it's just that there it really won't matter (and people won't have to pretend not to see differences).
**I hope this makes it through the unbiased filters and is posted on the site.
6. James said the following at 8:30 AM on Nov 8:
If we want to lead in race relations, then we should start by doing THIS:
Quit taking it into account and making a big freakin' deal over it!
As long as ethnicity plays ANY role, then it's racism.
You know what, I forgot many times that Obama was a black man. I forget sometimes that some people I know are of a different skin color or ethnicity. You know why? Because it does NOT matter to me. Those things are simply a part of who they are or how they look, not things to judge them on in areas such as character or deserving special achievement.
To me, making a fuss about Obama getting elected because he happens to be of the ethnicity we call "African American" is as SILLY as making a fuss over a redhead getting elected.
So, if you want to take a stand, then quit harping on the ethnicity issue like it matters.
Sheesh, folks. Some of were sick and tired of it before the hoopla.
7. cn said the following at 8:57 AM on Nov 8:
I'm really like Raleigh Washington. He's an African American man who teaches on race reconciliation from Eph 3, but he starts with the Jew and the Gentile, because that's the actual context for that passage. He has a certain amount of depth for bringing it into full context that I don't hear from a lot of race reconciliation teachings. I recommend anyone interested in this subject to look him up.
8. HM said the following at 12:03 PM on Nov 8:
I live in a community where I as a white person am the minority. It makes me look at things very differently like Christian book covers. Why do books like "the Beauty Book" for young girls only have a white child on the front, or preparing for marriage white people only. How about Every Woman's Battle. Lets start changing the covers on our Christian books to be more racially diverse. Kids cd's with 8 white children and no other colors. I will say I am starting to see improvement but we have a long way to go. also my daughter has made a comment about how few races are covered in her Brio magazine and the Brio girl seems to always be white.
Also we have had a couple of churches in the area where a maily white congregation and a mainly black congregation have joined together as 1 what a cool church.
9. BDB said the following at 12:12 AM on Nov 9:
Well, if you want to take the lead in your congregation, I just stumbled upon a show you might like. It's D.L. Hughley Breaks the News at 10pm Sat/Sun on CNN. Just the last two guests (Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and comedian Tim Reid) have given some very thoughtful observations about how an Obama presidency will impact the culture. Comments about how "brothers are going to have to pull up their pants" are just not something you hear on Fox News very often. But their observations about how they expect role models to change were very thoughtful.
Earlier this week I was on the campus of a local Christian University. And in a nod to jpe (#3), I noticed that the student body was very white. Much whiter than, say, my neighborhood. Or my church, frankly. But my pastor has made a very deliberate effort to adjust the music to make sure a variety is represented. We have Gospel music about one week a month in the main venue. It does make people more comfortable.
Seeing that 70% of black voters supported traditional marriage in California on Tuesday, it would definitely be in the interest of white evangelicals to increase their communication with other ethnic groups.
10. Mike Theemling said the following at 12:47 PM on Nov 9:
Hmm, a lot of people aren't responding to this thread. My guess is because they don't want to risk saying something which may offend the other party and sound "racist".
But I'll respond because I think it's an important issue to address. Although skin color does play a part in the tension, I believe it's not only that.
I believe that part of reason there is a difference in church attendance is because each racial group tends to have cultural identities that the individuals feel comfortable with and within a church, just like any social setting, those ideologies can be expressed openly and reinforced.
For example, within a Black church, it may that the individuals identify with struggles of oppression (whether real or imagined). When relating to the Bible and theology, the mention of Isaiah's words "He has sent me (refering to Jesus) to proclaim freedom for the prisoners" may resonate with many of the attendees. Most Whites not surpringly do not struggle with oppression. And perhaps some Blacks feel that Whites cannot identify with this thus why would they want to attend their church and vice versa?
This difference in theological priorities could explain why many Blacks still claim Christianity (which I believe many are) yet often vote in line with a party that has an openly pro-choice platform. To them, it may not be that abortion isn't an important issue to them, but rather that there are more important Biblical issues to them such as poverty and injustice. Obama was probably about as pro-choice a candidate as you can get and most Blacks did vote for him. But at least in California, a lot of those same Blacks voted for Prop 8 banning gay marriage.
Another reason for the tension is simply that each group tends to have its own sub-culture and naturally feels most at ease when around others who are a part of that subculture. What complicates things again is that there can be this underlying, unspoken assumption that the "outer group" is incapable of or not allowed to become part of the inner group. One example is that Blacks may say the 'N' word to each other, but non-Blacks are not afforded the same luxury, even if their intention is not meant to be offensive.
Finally, there is the economic factor as well. Some Black churches are either in or near low-income areas. It could be that traveling further to an unfamiliar church is not worth the effort or the risk when there is a "safer" one closer to you.
Add everything up and you have the situation that we have today. You have two (or more) distinctly different groups who feel that the other group can't or won't understand the other. What's worse, is that we can subconsciously view them as "less than human" or at least "misguided", or "immature", or a host of other condescending adjectives. This is called infrahumanization (you can also see the movie Pocahontus).
Just some thoughts. I'll have to post more later.
11. R.L. said the following at 6:49 PM on Nov 10:
Hey #10:
I definitely understand where you are coming from.
I am black and I attend a predominantly white church. I am the same as them in many ways, but different in many ways as well. However, I know that I am one with them in Christ.
I've always made a conscious effort to cross the racial barriers, because I know that it will be that way one day. I want to experience it on this earth.
I figure, why not pursue a little heaven on earth. Not caring what color people are or what their culture is...but praising God alongside them.
I especially love when they stop the music and we sing accapella. Awesome!
To me, the movement begins with individuals. I don't believe that it will be as effective when people try to start racial reconcialation programs to push people.
I believe those programs are good for educating people...but the application will have to begin in someone's own heart...how far they are willing to take that step toward moving outside their comfort zone...away from fear.
I mean...the Japanese students had been at my college for 2 weeks and I was amazed to find that I was "The first American to talk to" them. I remember staring at them before hand and wanting to know who they were.
Believe it or not, I used to be extremely shy. I went up and talked to them and found that I had a lot in common with them. I found out that many of them are actually shy. What a way for God to push me past my shyness...out of fear and love on people different from myself.
12. tea said the following at 10:50 AM on Nov 11:
I can only agree with Andrea.
As far as the Obama (evil) McCAin (God's choice)debate is concerned, I'd suggest people to read Gavin White's article: McCain & Obama on abortion (http://gavinwhite.org.uk/).
As far as church and racial reconciliation are concerned, this is something I, as a black person, have renounced.
I used to be shocked by blacks' racism against white people and to favour mixed couples. Now, I am much more reserved. I would advise anyone refelecting on these issues to pray and then act.
To conclude on a positive note: an aunt of mine live in a very racist neighbourhood. She's lived there for ten years. And recently one neighbour of her died. My aunt and this family share the same faith: they are catholic. My aunt took the initiative to pay a mass for this man; it lead his wife to tears.
God is the only one who can change hearts and make people live together.
13. IMO said the following at 11:33 AM on Nov 11:
Andrea,
I have never heard some of these things that you are bringing up, like the whole "Curse of Ham" thing. I have no idea what you are referring. to. Also the whole Christians disassociating themselves from Jesus being Jewish. There are just two examples.
I completely agree that God is not a Democrat or a Republican. God has many names in Scripture. Democrat and Repulican are not one of them. Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.
I just think that some of your outrage or passion comes from your experiences and people around you and the environment you are in...because like I said, I have neither read, heard, or been around some of these type of thoughts. And I don't live in a cave.
And you know, racism is just another sin problem. Like you said, racial unity probably won't happen on this earth. The church should be the example in racial unity.
14. Rachael said the following at 12:01 PM on Nov 11:
R.L. (11),
Cool attitude to be one in Christ. I too at times have been (well, frequently, if you count the classes I teach) in environments where I'm the 'minority' except that it has often been the case that I'm in a position of authority in those environments (like when I teach). I used to live in an environment (in total for about 2 years and 9 months) where I was a minority, and in college for awhile I went to a group that was predominantly (nationality)-American, and I am not of that ethnicity, though I am an American. Have I ever felt conscious of my being of a different skin color in certain situations? Most likely. It might be different for me to be the minority because I do not have to be the minority and I am not a minority when I go out and about. A lot of people don't have a choice and are always the minority. I wonder if for them the issue is deep in their minds and hearts. It would be sad if they felt constantly on the outside.
I suppose a feeling of 'differentness' in nationality/ethnicity/race situations might not be a sign of racism/discrimination but just an awareness of one's 'differentness'. Like if I were to spend a day in a room full of men, I'd feel...different. But I'm not anti-men. I plan to marry one of them...And I think I've felt to be on the outside even in settings where I'm with people who are all or mostly all of the same race. Feelings of being the outsider can have its advantages (like in building empathy/sensitivity/openness).
I wonder if the repeated placing of oneself in 'different' environments helps minimize the feeling of 'differentness'. Also I wonder if a focus on Christ & other things would help take the focus off that feeling...
15. ade ifelayo said the following at 4:29 PM on Nov 11:
RL
First of all, I agree whole-heartedly with Suzanne--the church should take the lead on reconcilation. I do think though, that the church HAS taken the lead as we have on so many other things (slavery, prohibition (perhaps wrong tactics but right motivation), prison outreach, AIDS, etc) but maybe not enough. I do think though that the reason why it seems the church is not 'integrated' enough is b/c most churches are based on where people live--and that is still a function of race or more so income. Mega churches which draw from more than immediate surroundings are more diverse. (one problem I have with MLK's "11 o'clock" quote was that it surmises that races are more integrated the rest of the week. Well, maybe on the surface but not in reality. people interact in the office, bus stop etc but that's b/c they have little alternatives. i'm not justifying "churches segregation" just explaining why it may come across that way). However, i will say as RL attests to that as individuals we have to have renewed minds on these issues. She talked about her being appalled at a fellow black saying denigrating things about japanese students. That fellow is not alone. I'm writing this from Nigeria now (having been away for such a long time). I have been shocked by the way people (christians that i looked up to for such a long time) address other ethnicities, and tell me not to date them (even other ethnicities within Nigeria). It's unfortunate but it just shows that we have a long way to go. in the mean time, i think we can best work towards reconcilation by asking the Lord to point out and correct our own individual misconceptions, since it hurts him even more.
16. BDB said the following at 12:16 PM on Nov 12:
Personally, I've felt for a long time that there is more discrimination in America based on how people speak than on skin color. I've seen people of African descent who speak with a British accent (from Barbados) get treated much differently than people with lighter skin color. I've experienced it myself in classes with International students: the Americans on the other team tended to address me, and I had to keep pointing back to the Korean student who was our "spokesperson" for the exercise.
Though, I also know an attorney who brings her dog to the hospital for pet therapy. She notices how everyone, such as the nurses, acknowledge the dog and ignore her, like she's invisible...
17. R.L. said the following at 3:04 PM on Nov 12:
I definitely believe that racial reconcialiation programs are a necessary starter. People will need to actually apply the concepts in order to make it work. In this, Christ was intentional in his approach to reaching the lost. He put himself where they were and he even said that he came for them.
I'm not relating other colors of people to being "lost." I'm pointing out that being intentional is key to race relations.
A white friend of mine years back in college told me that white people could go a pretty long time (don't remember the actual statement), without being around blacks. On the other hand, because black people are such a minority in this country it's not as possible for them to not be around white people.
Am I saying white people need to be more intentional than blacks...no...it goes both ways.
I've actually heard black Christians say that whites should be the first to speak to blacks in public due to the history of the colors.
I won't side with blacks or whites (blacks believing in that message OR whites being angry about that message).
I can only side with Christ telling me to love others as myself.
18. Jo said the following at 4:07 PM on Nov 12:
BDB:
Whoa, pet therapy..? What IS that?
19. BDB said the following at 5:23 PM on Nov 12:
Jo (#18) wrote:
>>Whoa, pet therapy..? What IS that?<<
OH! That's when someone trains a dog to be really friendly with people. The local hospital has some requirements for observing patient privacy, etc.
The therapy dog handler then goes to the hospital and ask who would like a visit. Children are the most likely to want one, but sometimes the nurses are aware of others who need it. The person I know will always stop at the door and ask if the patient wants the visit. If so, they bring the dog in and the dog puts their front paws up on the bed.
She also looks for opportunities to pray with people. Sometimes they say things that indicate an opening, or there's evidence that church people are visiting. It's a "visiting the sick" ministry, but with a dog.
Dog is pretty well behaved, extremely loyal to her handler. At the last Bible Study, it slept under my chair most of the evening; after walking around to meet everyone as they came in of course.
20. Rachael said the following at 8:42 PM on Nov 12:
Jo...I think for the emotions...I can see how pets could be therapeutic. I once rode a bus and noticed a blind woman with a dog...but I think the dog was a therapy dog and possibly not a guide dog. I love pets. But you know there are various therapies out there...horticulture therapy, aromatherapy. I don't know much about any of those therapies, though I was friends with someone who was into horticulture therapy.
21. Jo said the following at 3:11 PM on Nov 13:
LOL. Rachael and BDB, thanks - your explanations make a lot of sense.
Far more sense than what I was imagining, which was the pets actually receiving therapy...
In my head it seemed just crazy enough to be something rich Americans with unhappy pets might go for. Maybe I could come over there and start my own business? :)