Today is MLK Day and tomorrow will be the inauguration of the first black President. I doubt there is anything in our country’s history that has left the stench of the Rebellion in the garden as intensely and putridly as our history of slavery and racism.
Contrary to other stories, the True Story of the Bible doesn’t condone racism. Far from it. The Gospel absolutely annihilates racism!
Thirteen Texts Showing how the Gospel Annihilates Racism
1. Every human is created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-27)
2. The Covenant blessing is to all nations. (Genesis 12:1-3)
3. The pathetic example of Jonah’s racism. (Jonah 4:1)
4. The gospel-melted heart is that of the tax collector not the Pharisee. (Luke 18:9-14)
5. The Lamb was slaughtered for the world. (John 1:29)
6. We are justified by faith not race. (Romans 3:28-30)
7. Christ has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:11-22)
8. Racism, by definition, counts “us” better than “them”. (Philippians 2:3)
9. Racism is not “in step with the gospel”. (Galatians 2:11-14)
10. Racism categorizes while the gospel unites. (Galatians 3:28-29)
11. Partiality gives glory to someone. The gospel gives glory to Christ. (James 2:1)
12. The gospel creates one race. (1 Peter 2:9)
13. Racists will be uncomfortable in heaven. (Revelation 5:8-10)
“I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.” (Dr. Martin Luther King, “Letter from Birmingham Jail)
January 20, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Thanks for putting this post up Chris. I was in Cafe Solo this morning and pointed someone to it because they were talking about churches, christians, and racism. It led to some real solid conversation on what the gospel is.
January 22, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Agreed, Chris. I would add that a landmark decision in our nation’s history that is recognized today would also qualify as a result of the brokenness of the rebellion in the garden. I pray we’ll have the same strength to confront the continued genocide in our midst without fear and without waiting for a more convenient season.