Hello Saints,
All you have to do is turn on the news, pick up a newspaper, or get on social media, and you can engage the racial tension in our country. There has been a cold civil war brewing for years, and as the divisiveness continues, tempers continue to get more heated. It is like a volcano getting ready to erupt. We see small explosions of racial divide going on all over America. As Christians, what are we supposed to do? It feels like an impossible mountain to climb; it’s easy to get discouraged and quit. The kingdom response is not like anything we witness going on in America today; we will need to venture back and study the early Christians to see how they engaged a kingdom design for living that blew racism apart. What happened, and why did Christians drift back into being so divided on the issue of race? In this thesis, I am going to point out some of the many challenges America faces as it relates to racism. I will conclude this thesis by outlining the kingdom solution for how to respond to racism as Christians living in the 21st century.
A great question to ask to get started is this, how did race classifications get started anyway? We can look to Carolus Linnaeus as the first to put humans into classifications.
Calolus Linneaus also called Carl Linnaeus, Swedish Carl von Linné, (born May 23, 1707, Råshult, Småland, Sweden—died January 10, 1778, Uppsala), Swedish naturalist and explorer who was the first to frame principles for defining natural genera and species of organisms and to create a uniform system for naming them (binomial nomenclature).[1]
If you study his work, you can see how he used his own opinions to form different classes and then injected his own interpretation for defining the strengths and weaknesses of the various categories of people he created. It is from here that we find racial language and interpretation that is still used today to classify people and define their nature. This history explains the usage of terms such as Euro-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, etc. But if we take it a step further, we discover that this same work is how we come up with the skin color chart that we still use today to define human beings, e.g., white, black, brown, people of color, etc.
An excellent question for Euro-Americans, or if you wish, white Americans, to ask themselves, is when did your family become white? I know this is a challenging question to chew on, but it is a fair and essential question. When did your family become white? Several years ago, when DNA testing first came out, I ordered a DNA kit, took the test, and anxiously waited for the results. Here is my breakdown:[2]
- European: 99.8%
- Northwestern European: 89.0%
- British & Irish: 46.4% – (Includes greater London, United Kingdom, – County Dublin, Ireland, plus 18 other regions.)
- French and German: 18.5% – Bavaria, Germany – Hauts-de-France, France, plus three other regions.
- Broadly Northwestern European: 17.8%
- Eastern European: 4.1%
- Southern European: 1.9%
- Broadly Southern European: 1.9%
- Broadly European: 4.8%
- Unassigned: 0.1%
As you can see, nowhere in this breakdown is there a % for being white? Nor is there any % for being Native American, which was the myth for decades in my family from my father’s side. My half-sisters, cousins, uncles, and aunts all believed that we had a grandmother in our lineage who was 100% Cherokee Indian. Well, this DNA test dispelled that myth. Still today, I don’t know if they have entirely accepted the truth or not, but the science doesn’t lie. My main point is this; there is nowhere in this breakdown that classifies me as being white, a Christian, or a white Christian. Yet, in America, I would be considered Caucasian or a white male. Because my skin color is white, I am afforded a lot of benefits and privileges that many of my Christian siblings who happen to be people of color don’t always enjoy. My sister has two bi-racial sons. There are now in their early 30’s, and I have witnessed many of the struggles they have faced because they are bi-racial.
There was a time in early America where a person was identified mainly from their place of origin, e.g., Italian, Spaniard, English, Irish, Mexican, Asian, etc.. Still, now more times than not, you are either white or a person of color. If you are white, you are considered privileged and smart. If you are a person of color, then you are deemed to be in a lesser class, and nowhere near as intelligent as white people. Are there exceptions to this? You bet! But for the most part, this analysis is spot on for how history has defined the differences between being white and a person of color.
America’s History of Racism
Because it was white people who claimed to have discovered the Americas, we quickly took ownership of what we say is rightfully ours. How quick are we to forget that there were Native Americans here before we came, and through force, ignorance, and schemes, we took advantage of them, grabbed their land, and forced the natives into reservations?[3] Native Americans are still marginalized and oppressed in America today. It is hard to believe that here we are hundreds of years later, and these types of atrocities still exist.
Next came the Atlantic Slave Trade, where millions of Africans were stolen from their country and made for sale around the globe. In America, this was how families could get rich by utilizing free labor. Millions of Africans died in the process by suicide, neglect, abuse, and outright murder.[4] Christians were very much a part of the mix. Some Methodists even created a separate catechism for slaves. Of course, you had Christians on both sides of slavery, but the bottom line is this, very few Christians were living as kingdom people or communities, they simply immersed themselves into the culture.
As you can see, the quest for power, glory, and prestige was the law of the land, regardless of who was oppressed, marginalized, or killed. Unfortunately, around the globe, it is still like this today. History proves that no matter who is the dominant class in power, they always end up oppressing and exploiting those that are of a weaker class. This division is seen around the world and throughout history. When you study history; what you discover isn’t as much about skin color as it is who holds power. History proves that whoever is in power, regardless of their ethnicity, becomes corrupted by it. So the claim that if people of color were in power things would be different, well, unfortunately, history says different. That is why racism is a sin problem, and if you have a sin problem then you are powerless and you are in need of a savior. Thank God for Jesus, Amen!
Here we are today in the 21st century, and many people are denial, if not suffering from outright delusion when it comes to the racial divide in America. Many people say things like, “slavery ended years ago, everyone enjoys the same rights today, what is all the fuss about?” Friends, white people created the problem by forcing the natives into reservations, stealing people from their home country, and forcing them to work for free as slaves. When you exercise power outside the will of God there are always consequences to be paid on both sides of the action, people always get hurt.
As the civil rights movement grew in numbers and influence, African-Americans continued to move to find safer places to live and get away from those trying to oppress or kill them. As African Americans moved in, most white Americans moved out; this is what is known as “white flight.”[5] Because African Americans didn’t have the same access to education, better-paying jobs, and other resources, these neighborhoods quickly became poor neighborhoods. These neighborhoods were nicknamed the “ghetto” or as they are often referred to today as the”hood.” When people are broke, oppressed, and desperate, they quickly kick into survival mode, and that is why crime, addiction, and alcoholism run rapid in these neighborhoods. Desperate times lead to desperate measures, regardless of the color of your skin.
A Kingdom Response to Racial Divide
Now that was a brief history as to why we find ourselves in America in the predicament that we are in today. Friends, all that Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, etc., want from America is the same opportunities that white people enjoy. They want equal access to good-paying jobs, an excellent education, and business opportunities in their communities. From a worldly standpoint, this is how we improve race relations by helping these marginalized communities have access to what we as white people have always enjoyed. Many like to suggest that they already enjoy the exact same access, but that simply is not the truth. Is it better than it was in the ’60s? Yes, it has slowly gotten better. Whoever thought that we would have ever seen an African American President elected in our lifetime, and then reelected for a second term? In America today, are there not several prominent professionals and athletes made up of different ethnicities? Absolutely, but oppression and marginalization still exist. Until “we” as a country take it seriously and deal with it fairly, America we continue to experience racial divide, and eventually another civil war. I don’t subscribe to destructive behavior, destroying people’s property, and causing bodily injury in efforts to make a point or to create change. There are social justice activists who support protesting by any means, but I do not. Peaceful protests are one thing, burning down buildings, shooting police, and harming innocent bystanders is another. But if something is out of balance, or serious injustice is occurring, there is nothing wrong with standing up, speaking out, and demanding change for those victimized by the injustice.
As Christians, we are called to live the kingdom life and exist as kingdom communities. Ephesians 3:26-29, clearly reveals how the early Christians lived, check this out:
Children of God (Galatians 3:26-29) NIV
23 Before the coming of this faith,[j] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
You see friends; there is no white, black, brown, etc. There is no European, African, Italian, Irish, English, Native, etc. If you are committed to Jesus, then you must learn to live the kingdom life, and this scripture gives us clear-cut direction for how we are to view “ALL” people, which is as (children of God), or if you wish, God’s kids.
The kingdom life requires a deep commitment to living as a kingdom community as opposed to living for ourselves. This commitment means we don’t waste our time trying to change the world system. It means understanding that no worldly leader is ever going to solve America’s problems. It doesn’t matter if it’s Trump, Biden, or whoever else as the president when it comes to ushering in the kingdom of God. It means we focus our attention and efforts toward living the kingdom life and inviting others to do the same. When Jesus comes back, he will fulfill the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and trust me; it won’t make a lick of difference which party is in office.
In the Book of Acts, we can find clear demonstrations for what the kingdom life should look like, check this out:
The Believers Share Their Possessions (Acts 4:32-36) NIV
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Saints, the kingdom life demands total surrender and commitment. You can’t claim to be living the kingdom life and still trying to fit into this world. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The kingdom live is not capitalism, and it is not socialism, it is oneness. Exactly how it was at the beginning of creation until humankind fell prey to Satan and his army of demons. Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul remind us many times in scripture who the principalities and powers are that have a stronghold on the world, and it’s Satan and his agents of evil.
What are the steps to start living in the solution instead of the problem from a kingdom position:
- Own the truth about American history.
- Learn the true nature and depth of the oppression that still exist for people of color.
- Create opportunities for all people, despite the color of their skin, to have equal access to jobs, education, housing, and social services.
- Encourage lawmakers to create tax incentives and opportunities for businesses to move into and thrive in these more deprived communities.
- Encourage leaders of all backgrounds and from all ethnicities to work together to resolve the many problems of the racial divide that still exist.
- As individuals, discover the truth about your personal history. When did your family become white?
- Deal with the embedded racism that we all have, despite the color of your skin. We all have elements of distrust, racism, and sometimes downright evil for those who are not like us. Inventory this stuff, confess this stuff, and ask the Lord to remove it root and branch from your entire being.
- Learn what it means to live like Christ. Discover how the early Christians lived their lives, which was not by trying to change the world system, but by creating a third race, a kingdom race. They established kingdom communities, where there was no race, only one group of people living as the body of Christ.[6]
Friends, living the kingdom life is going to require that you swallow some giant chunks of truth about yourself and America. We live in the most powerful country in the world, but do we live as the godliest? We live in a very individualistic and consumeristic culture. This way of living is the exact opposite of the kingdom life and calling we have on our lives as Christians. Does this mean we can’t enjoy some of the amenities of this world? No, that is not what it means at all, but remember what Jesus said, “you are made new to be in the world and not of the world.” There are many references in scripture to these truths, (John 17:14-16, John 15:19, John 8:22-24, 1 John 4:5, 1 John 5:19, John 16:11, John 12:31, 1 John 4:4, Romans 12:1-2, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17, John 18:36, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 16:26, Matthew 16:24, Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Peter 2:11-12, Matthew 5:13-16, and Ephesians 5:1).
In closing friends, this message doesn’t mean you shouldn’t vote, and that regardless of how you choose to vote that it doesn’t matter. One leader over another can help our efforts as kingdom people trying to usher in the kingdom of God for sure. I will never personally tell you how to vote, nor will you ever hear me talk about politics, especially in a manner that overrides the main agenda of living as kingdom people and creating kindom communities like the examples I presented earlier. I hope that you learn to exist in this life possessing kingdom values for all of creation, and not under the influence of the world system, which is in the care, custody, and control of Satan. I also hope you don’t make politics and personalities idols, and that you will always put your allegiance and faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit first and foremost. Lastly, I hope you learn to model the kingdom life, because if you do, you will discover and experience countless promises in scripture. You will develop a deeper relationship with God than you ever knew possible, and the most satisfactory years of your existence are in front of you. I am excited to walk this kingdom journey with you and help bring a kingdom solution to the racial divide we have in America. Can it be done? Of course, but we must be focused on living out the kingdom life, and invite others to do the same.
Shalom,
Harold Long
[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carolus-Linnaeus
[3] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indian-Removal-Act
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade
[5] https://study.com/academy/lesson/white-flight-definition-history-effects.html
Ellen Schutte says
I have a granddaughter now 22 that her mother came from Kenya and she is dark skinned. I also have 2 grandchildren 13 & 14 that are medium skinned and their mother came from New Delhi India. I also have also have 11 other grandchildren that have all different backgrounds but are white skinned. I love them all the same. They are all Gods children. I once was in Walmart in De Soto and had the girl from Kenya and one that is very light skinned and blonde . They were both about 6 I have them in a shopping cart and we were having a good time. First a white person came by and patted the white one on the head and said pretty little girl. Next a black person came by and patted the black one on the head and said pretty little girl. Each time they would look at me as if to say “hey why didn’t they think I was pretty too.” The only reason I didn’t call both the adults out was that my two little granddaughters didn’t know they were different and they were not. Jesus loves the little children, ALL the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World. What makes you a good person is not the color or your skin, how educated you are or how wealthy you are. What makes you great is whats in your heart and how you treat others. Everyone is the same in the eyes of God . He died on the cross for all of us, not just a select few.
Harold Long says
Thank you for sharing Ellen, that is a wonderful example of a kingdom response to racial injustice.
Shalom,
Pastor Harold