I must confess that I grew up oblivious to racism. If you take time to read my bio (https://thepreachersdevoblog.com/sample-page/) you’ll know I grew up in Brazil, which is ranked 27th in ethnic diversity. For context, my grandmother on my father’s side is half native Brazilian and half African. Many of my biological cousins on my Father’s side of the family are mulatos, and a few are black. Further, my mom’s nickname is “Nega,” which was given to her because of her dark complexion. I bear the blunt of my Father’s dad’s side of the family who are from Sicilian background.

Racism was not something my family dialogued about because we didn’t see skin color as an issue. As a matter of fact, African culture is part of mainstream Brazilian society and fully celebrated through capoeira, samba, African religions, pagode, and much more. I honestly didn’t grow up exposed to segregation. The first time I experienced segregation was when I visited America for the first time in 2002.

I grew up listening to Ron Kenoli, Kirk Franklin, Bob Marley, and Boyz to Men (don’t judge me), even though I barely understood their lyrics since I did not speak English until the age of 18.When I first visited America I wanted to go visit Tony Evans church, an influential African American evangelical pastor, because I had read his books and liked (still do) his preaching. As a matter of fact, his church, Oak Cliff, was the first church I ever attended in the United States. I noticed right away his church was predominantly black ( I do not use the word “black” as a derogatory term…I will use the term “white” here to refer to people from caucasian decent). The contrast was obvious when soon after I went to my girlfriend’s church at the time and noticed her church was predominantly white. The racial divide in Texas was blatantly obvious. Through the year, I noticed this divide is reflected around the country in most churches.

Why do I tell you these things? Mainly because it helps you understand my background and personal experiences. I was never racially discriminated because of the color of my skin in the United States. At first, when I was just beginning to learn English and had a thick accent, people treated me differently, and sometimes with disdain. But I have only experienced cultural, not ethnic, racism. Therefore, as it relates to racism against blacks in the USA I will never be able to sympathize, but only strongly emphasize with the plight of some of my dear friends, people from my church family, and neighbors.

Honestly, a non-black person cannot sympathize with blacks who suffer from an unjust justice system. For a definition, sympathy is when you share the feelings of another because you experienced them yourselves firsthand; empathy is when you understand the feelings of another but do not necessarily share them. Though I cannot sympathize with my black brothers and sisters, I should strongly empathize with their struggles. As Paul says in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” And the good news is that while I cannot do it, Christ can. Hebrews 4:15 gives us hope, and I should share it with those who suffer in this world, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Historical Facts to Consider

The shared experience of blacks in the United States is one of great hurt and pain.The United States, like most of the Americas, was colonized by western Europeans who brought slaves, primarily from Africa, who were treated as property to do forced labor. And the heartbreaking reality is that slavery was validated by most for a long time. Colonized slavery and modern day slavery is the biggest afront to the imago Dei. In the United States slavery was sanctioned for a long time. It wasn’t until The 13th Amendment, adopted on December 18, 1865, that slavery officially abolished. However, for further perspective, the Civil Rights movement didn’t take place until the late 1950s, until Martin Luther King Jr.’s death in 1968. That’s only 52 years ago!! Therefore, many blacks today were victims, and still are, of ethnical racism and racial hatred.

How can people who were made in the imago Dei (Image of God – the creator), be treated with such disrespect? Well, the Christian biblical answer is simple: human sinful depravity. Sadly many “so-called” Christians in the past supported slavery. They denigrated the imago Dei even to those who held their faith in the name of convenience and cultural acceptance, neglecting the mandate of the Great Commission to make disciples “of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14–18Luke 24:44–49Acts 1:4–8, and John 20:19-23) – Greek = panta ta ethne (note the Greek word for nations is “ethne” from where we get the English word “ethnicity”). Today the vast majority of Christians, at least in my experience, does not support slavery.

Churches have much to learn about what it means to be diverse and how to dialogue about racial issues. We must also learn how to forgive others as God forgave us in Christ (Ephesians 4:32). Furthermore, we can never forget Bible’s emphasis on all nations and ethnicities, and God’s desire to bring all peoples to himself! Passages such as:

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place … Acts 17:26

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:2

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:12-13

Now, the issue is not so black and white (pun intended). Christians are prone to syncretistically adopt cultural norms and ideologies without even taking the time to examine such beliefs. We also tend towards a hermeneutics (interpretation) that is guided by our cultural and contextual background. For instance, whites read the Bible and in their minds imagine Moses, David, and Jesus are actually white. They also forget many other people in the Bible were black like Moses’s wife Zippora, Hagar, Asenath (Joseph’s wife), one of Jacob’s concubines, Simon the Canaanite, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Simon the Cyrene…who helped Jesus carry his cross!!*

How can Things Improve?

Today there is much frustration…the death of Ahmaud Arbery and many other blacks in America are vivid reminders that racism still lives in the hearts of mankind. I recently heard comments like “How can racism still exist in America?” and “I can’t believe this is still happening in the 21st century!” Well, the reality is that racism will still exist around the world until the end, in every nation, because mankind is depraved. Spiritually speaking, the only remedy is full repentance and submission to Christ. Practically speaking, there are a few things can do to ameliorate the effects of racism in America.

A Few Steps to Help Ameliorate the Effects of Racism

First, we must recognize the false narratives of post-modernism and late-modernity. In sum, secularized society believes in 4 major cultural narratives: 1) hyper-individualism 2) that technological advances and science will progressively improve life, 3) that we individually determine morality, 4) that we should just “be ourselves” regardless of what people think of us. All of which are completely anthropocentric in nature. The problem is that, if you are honest, you’ll admit that though there is good in us, because we were created in the imago Dei, we are all morally corrupt. We are morally bankrupt, and only God can be our perfect moral compass.

If we stop to examine Ahmaud’s death, these aspects of secularism can be displayed. Individualism in part led to Ahmaud’s death, as two individuals decided to take matter into their own hands while motivated by their own ideological biases. Technological advance showed the world the horrific death of a young man who was simply going on a jog as the occurrence was videotaped. The two men felt “morally obligated” to confront Mr. Arbery, which that ultimately led to his death. And finally, because they likely didn’t care what others would think of them, they took matters into their own hands thinking they were above the law. Secularism, though good in some aspects, is inherently flawed.

Second, we must become more aware of the suffering of those around us. Today, blacks are still victims of racism. Hispanics are seen as second class citizens. Foreigners in general are not fully welcomed by traditional American families. Human sex trafficking is causing significant mayhem. But this must not be so! And only love can change this reality. Love should fuel our empathy toward others. As Paul says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:9-10). We must become more empathetic toward those who are ethnically the minority. toward those living in agony, pain, and hurt. Paul espoused the right concept when he told the church to “be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:1-3).

Third, we must express our anger toward injustice, but not let anger consume us. We must “be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Proverbs 6:16-19 is a good reminder of what God hates, which is what we should hate: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” We must be righteously indignant toward all acts of violence and all forms of evil. Acts of racism should stir anger in us, it is biblical! On the other hand, anger must not turn into bitterness, cynicism, strife, and violence. It should be employed with self-control.

Fourth, we must practice hospitality. We must invite others that are of different ethnical, color, social, religious, and cultural backgrounds into our lives and homes. When was the last time you had others invited to dine at your table from a completely different background than yours? When was the last time you intentionally sought to dialogue with others who are visibly different than you? Do your closest acquaintances all look like you (whether you are black or white, or other) or are they different? Does your circle of friends look like the church in Acts, who was extremely diverse, or does it look homogenous? If you intentionally invite others that are different than you into your life, not only will you practice hospitality, you will also experience great joy and a bit of the heart of God!

Finally, do not fall for empty arguments and sanctimonious piety. It is not enough to express anger and frustration at others, at institutions, or groups of people. Yes, we must act, but we must also have open, honest, and robust dialogue about race relations and racism in our culture, church, and elsewhere in the world. Proper dialogue leads to appropriate action. We must leave our cynicism behind and begin to construct an open environment where others can freely express their feelings without feeling judged or attacked. As James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Empty political jargon related to racism, and justifications for ethnical separation in any sphere of our society should be done away with.

In the words of the apostle Paul: “”Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

*Some of the most influential early Christian scholars like St. Augustine of Hippo and Athanasius of Alexandria were black.

Written by Daniel Messina

Read one of my latest blogs here: https://thepreachersdevoblog.com/laugh-a-little-actually-laugh-more/

Comments (1)

  1. Sharon Marsalis

    I agree whole halfheartedly with you: “Christians are prone to syncretistically adopt cultural norms and ideologies without even taking the time to examine such beliefs. We also tend towards a hermeneutics (interpretation) that is guided by our cultural and contextual background.”
    As you said only God can change the heart (core of a person) and make us into new creations as part of His Kingdom
    Yes, only God in Christ Jesus can syncretize one’s beliefs or thoughts and transform an individual which leads to a transformation in society.
    “… the reality is that racism will still exist around the world until the end, in every nation, because mankind is depraved. Spiritually speaking, the only remedy is full repentance and submission to Christ. Practically speaking, there are a few things can do to ameliorate the effects of racism in America.”
    I also agree with your statement that no white or one who has experienced no racism can fully sympathize with one who has experienced cultural or societal discrimination but as “born again” Christians we can empathize by listening and understanding and accepting that in Christ there is no difference.
    I agree we are all the influenced victims of our time and culture which shapes our world view or perspective. Today humanism which leads to secularism is becoming the norm for society. In essence taking us back to a pre – Christ world where “everyone does what is right in his own eyes” and ultimately and fatally leads to a rejection of the God revealed in the Bible and of course the Bible itself – except when certain verses can be taken out of context to support a particular belief or agenda or justify a personal “feeling”.
    I love Crossroads because 1st we are Christ centered/Biblical centered and 2nd the ethnic diversity found within our church family where we are all ONE in Christ. Colossians 3:1-11 summons this idea perfectly.
    (I have to say though I do not consider a couple of the historical people you mention as being “black” – Middle Eastern, Egyptian and Greek – yes)

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