1. What is the definition of Racism?
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. “American Heritage Dictionary”
Behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief: racial discrimination or prejudice.
The systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another.
2. What does the Bible say about race?
Genesis 3:20
'Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. '
Genesis 9:18-19
The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the whole earth.
Genesis 11:8-9
So, the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Acts 17:26
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Does the Bible mention or deal with Racism?
It does not use the word, but it is very clear about the root of it. It is the result of Sin.
Oppression, Favoritism, Hatred, Pride, slander, self-righteousness, revenge, murder are all sins that have been justified because of racial differences.
Psalms 10:17-18
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
Romans 1:29-30
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil.
Jesus and the good Samaritan
What is the solution? The Gospel
Romans 3:9-12
What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
Colossians 3:11
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
3. What about the scars and pain of past Racism? Living the new life with our new family
Romans 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
3a. Do we see color? Yes! and we love it!
Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
What is our church going to do about Racial Injustice?
Philippians 3:13-14
'Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. '
We believe we are called to lead our people through the racial injustice they encounter. Teaching people who they are in Christ. Lead each person through how they feel, how to heal from it, and how to follow Christ in overcoming it. “Skyline Elders”