2. Key Scriptures and Key Implications
Imago Dei (Genesis 1:26)
Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” Creation, then, is the ground for the inherent worth and dignity of all humans. Every person is created in the image of God. Every individual is like God physically, mentally, and spiritually. No race is more like God than another. God has created all peoples equally in his image.
Covenant to Bless All Nations (Genesis 12:1-3)
Genesis 12:1-3 says, “(1) Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. (2) And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” This passage is referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant. God makes clear from this covenant that he will establish the people of Israel, but he establishes them so that they will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth. God has a covenant with his people so that his people will in turn bless all peoples. Grounded on our covenant relationship with God, he wants us to bless all races, nations, and ethnicities. God has always had a heart to bless every race and ethnicity.
Demand for Justice for All in the Law and the Prophets (Micah 6:8)
Micah 6:8 reads, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The prophet provides a summary of the Law in Micah 6:8. The heart of the Law and the heart of the prophets come together in Micah 6:8. God has blessed us with the Law in order to teach us what is good and how we are to live. The Law is indeed about justice. It is also about an inner heart of love producing kindness. Further, it is about a spiritual walk with God. The prophets rebuked God’s people as well as all the nations when they did not live according to these truths. God demands justice. When there is an injustice, God’s people are to identify the injustice and work toward justice. The prophets rebuked their own people. The Bible also gives God’s people a mandate to rebuke society’s sins even if the society is filled with unbelievers. Regarding racism in our nation, the church has an obligation to rebuke the injustice. Sadly, many in the American church have advocated for injustices rather than embraced the biblical Law and prophets. The American church should be transparent about our history and work to change our future. The church today is to embrace their prophetic voice and advocate for justice. The church is to serve as a moral compass in our nation. The American church should prophetically rebuke itself for its racism. Further, we should prophetically work for racial justice even amongst unbelievers in our nation. When we see racial injustice we should understand it and then prophetically call for justice. Finally, Micah 6:8 calls us to a prophetic ministry that is different from our secular friends. Our prophetic ministry includes loving kindness and walking humbly with God. Our calls for justice should also include love, kindness, humility, and intimacy with God.
Gospel to All Peoples in the Church (Acts 1:8)
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Consistent with the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3 the church has always been called to proclaim Jesus’ gospel to all races, nations, and ethnicities. As a result, God cares equally about all races. He desires all nations to be redeemed. The church is to love equally all peoples as evidenced by the missionary call to see all races converted.
Eternity of Diverse Unity (Revelation 7:9)
Revelation 7:9 says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” This verse provides a glimpse of eternity. This verse teaches God’s ideal version of the future. In eternity God will bring together a diversity of nations united in their worship of Jesus. This vision of heaven highlights that God celebrates versus diminishes diversity. The nations and races and ethnicities will be observable. They still have their racial and ethnic identities. However, they are also unified. They are all one as they worship the same God. Jesus unifies our differences. As a result, the church should also celebrate diversity. But, our goal in acknowledging and even celebrating diversity is actually unity around Jesus. God has always had a vision for diversity of the races as well as unity in Christ.
Therefore, the church should minister (Romans 12:15)
Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” The reality is that our nation as well as the American church has a history of racism. The prophets prophesied to both the people of God as well as nations for their sins. The American church should advocate for justice as well as repent of sin ourselves. As we understand the impacts of the sin of racism, we should also understand the impacts of racism upon our brothers, sisters, and friends. Romans 12:15 explains the church should minister to those suffering with racism. Those suffering under the effects of racism experience pain, fear, and anger. As we “weep with those who weep” we are to minister the gospel to those suffering pain, fear, and anger. As a result, the church is to push past fear and awkwardness in order to “love one another” (John 15:12) as Jesus has loved us.