Racism is Heresy
The recent shootings in Charleston, South Carolina have only brought into stronger relief the need to discuss an ugly issue: race relations. Each time there is a crime where race plays a role, it not only reopens the conversation, but it tragically opens old wounds, too.
Racism is sin. We know that, but I want to use an even stronger word today. Racism is heresy.
I choose that word very carefully. I do not throw around the word “heresy” lightly. It is, admittedly, a loaded term. To describe something as heresy is basically to say that there is such a chasm between this issue and what is Biblically correct that there is no middle ground. This is, to put it another way, a salvation issue.
Why would I choose such a loaded word as “heresy” and put racism in that category? Often, the term heresy is used to describe things like “Jesus did not actually die on the cross.” That statement, to anyone who trusts in the Bible as the Word of God, is heresy. There is no possible middle ground in that statement. Either the Lord Jesus did die on the cross or He did not. There is no way to compromise such an issue.
Racism is in that same category.
The reason is simple: the Bible emphatically states that God created mankind and that Christ died for all people.
Period.
There is no way around that. In the great resurrection chapter, Paul made one statement that is very powerful, though it is brief. He wrote, “For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish” (emphasis added, 1 Corinthians 15:39). The inspired writer did not talk about there being many kinds of human flesh, but one.
We are all children of Adam and Eve, though our skin color may vary widely. We are all humans, created in the image of God to His glory. In fact, the variety of skin colors found around the world speaks to the majesty of God. Consider the variation in things like flowers and the colors of fruits. We see that variety and glorify God for His design. The same is true of the variety we see in the spectrum of skin colors found throughout the world.
And we need to always keep in mind that Christ died for people of every race and nationality. He did not die only for people who look like me. He died for all.
To say, or even to imply, that another race is “lesser” is to undermine the very glory of God’s creation and the power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Such is nothing short of heresy.
Each time there is a crime that grows from hatred, calls are made to figure out the motive. People put forward countless solutions; everything from government initiatives to gun control to indicting violent movies, and beyond. In reality, all of these may have their place, and the conversation is certainly healthy, whether you agree or disagree with a particular position.
But the solution is deeper than that. It is more simply stated, but it is harder to measure. That’s because it is knowing that racism is, at its core, not an issue that a government can fix. It is, instead, a heart issue. The solution is this: every person seeing every other person as a fellow soul, created by God to His glory, and one for whom Jesus died.
When we get that right, racism will end. Until we get it right, the heresy of racism will only continue.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
Photo background credit: Daniel Lobo on Creative Commons
