FAITH—SHAME—RACISM
Unless you are hiding in a cave, you have watched and listened to this country respond to the issue of racism that continues to plague our society. I approach this issue from the perspective of a Christian while fully aware that many others who claim that same perspective will differ with my understanding of the faith.
GENESIS STORY
Regardless of whether you read the early chapters of Genesis as a parable of the truth or a scientific explanation of creation, it is clear that the Bible makes a faith claim that all of humanity evolved from a single source. Regardless of our current racial identity, we are all brothers and sisters from the same parenthood.
Beginning with the creation story, it is obvious that God appreciates and finds both beauty and value in diversity both within the human species and the plant and animal life. The early statement that God said that it is not good for the human to be alone resulted in the differentiation between the sexes. According to Genesis 1:27, though distinct, together they reflected the image of God. It also emphasized that the true image of God was reflected in relationships and not solitariness.
Later that variety would be described as reflected in various tribes and peoples. While the main theme of the story focuses on the tribe of Abram, there are several points where it is made clear that God is also at work and cares for other tribes as well. See an example in God both hearing and promising care to Hagar and her child in Genesis 21. Also recall the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19.
THE CHURCH AND SHAME
All that is background for our understanding of and response to the plague of racism that continually tears at the bonds of humanity and denies the benefits and value of our diversity. A basic affirmation of our Christian faith is that God loves all of humanity and seeks to reconcile the whole world to Godself.
One does not have to read too deeply into the church story to recognize that the sin of racism is deeply embedded in our church history as well as our nation’s history. Rather than try to justify our behavior, a critical dimension of our faith is trusting God enough to confess our sins and allow God’s power to be made perfect even in our weakness. A key biblical story is that of David and his sinful immorality. It was only when David was able to confess, rather than deny, his sins that God was able to work through him for the greater good of the community of faith. See Psalm 51.
There are plenty of deeply shameful and horrifying chapters in our church story of either attempting to justify or deny the sin of racism in our faith journey. Failure to confront the sin of racism in our church story results in a paralysis and perpetuation of racist beliefs and behavior.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
A major attitude that generates both violence and division in our world is a failure to trust that God will “give us this day our daily bread.” We continue to struggle with the counter forces of scarcity and sufficiency. When we approach the racial divisions from a stance of scarcity, then we act on the assumption that when another group gets more, we will get less. We don’t trust that there is sufficient to meet our needs but even worse, because of our fear based on a belief in scarcity, we deny ourselves and the world the rich benefits of the world’s diversity.
On an individual basis, we can either be horrified by or deny responsibility for George Floyds’s death. The challenge for the church is more systematic. We need to own our own shame and accept that by God’s grace, not our behavior or attitude, we are made worthy and liberated to live faithfully. Then we need to seek to generate a sense of worthiness that enables us to take risks on behalf of those most vulnerable in our society.
RECONCILIATION
We don’t set out to save the world. We already have a messiah and Lord. Our task is to give witness by our behavior to our belief that God is in Christ reconciling the world to Godself and not counting our sins against us and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19.)
