The Gospel and Race

Introduction: Where Is the Dream Today?

One day as he saw the crowds gathering,

Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down.

His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.

—Matthew 5:1–2

August 28, 1963. In the heat of the civil rights movement and at the pinnacle of civil unrest, the quest to pursue love, peace, and racial unity was reiterated on the most prominent American stage. During the March on Washington for economic and social freedom at the Lincoln Memorial, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. rendered the eminent “I Have a Dream” speech. In the wake of racial divide and injustice, social discord, and political upheaval, this was an oratory rendition that addressed the American status quo of racial injustice and inequality. His words provided empathy, compassion, and hope for the American dream, a dream in which America is indeed the land of the free, home of the brave, where Americans can embody love for their neighbor and practically live out liberty and justice for all. It was this speech that was very influential in the abolishment of Jim Crow laws and the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, which resulted in one of the crowning legislative achievements of the civil rights movement.

Nonetheless, it is heartbreaking that several decades after Dr. King’s life-giving message, our society still has the unfinished work of racial division and civil unrest. In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the killing of George Floyd, the cultural landscape of our current social and political climate strongly suggests that as neighbors, we struggle to empathetically and compassionately engage in conversations and current events that are directed toward fighting racism and racial injustice. Sadly this ineffective approach to fighting racism and racial injustice is prevalent in Christian circles. As a result, 46 percent of practicing Christians say it is not the church’s job to address racial injustice.[1] Consequently we are not in agreement about the sense of urgency required to stand up against racism and racial injustice. As an African American pastor raised and spiritually formed in the Black church, currently at the crux of living out my call to multicultural pastoral leadership in a predominately White church, I know firsthand how this problem addressing issues of racism and racial injustice manifests itself among Christian communities of all races. Sadly when these cultural exchanges occur, they are often repeatedly disruptive and result in racial, social, political, and religious polarization.

Equally when we do not create the cultural capacity to fight against racism and racial injustice on behalf of our neighbors, the results are evident. We begin to devalue the significance of our history regarding race relations and the negative impact it has had on the cultural landscape of our nation. Racism and racial injustice are often seen as problems of the past with little to no modern-day relevance.

Our differences as neighbors are seen as limitations instead of giftings that positively contribute to the greater good of society. In turn, this offensive mindset feeds into racial stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination against our neighbors. It is not only that, but diversity, equity, and inclusion are tolerated and not celebrated. The ongoing individual investment toward standing up against racism and racial injustice only rises to the surface during times of racial crisis. This lack of consistency leads to binging and purging, which means that in the heat of civil unrest and moments of racial injustice, we binge on all the books, conferences, podcasts, webinars, and crucial conversations about race relations in America. Consequently as soon as the noise of the civil unrest is temporarily silenced, we prematurely purge everything we have learned without an opportunity to grow and develop to a place where we can have clarity concerning how to care for our neighbors who are suffering from the effects of racism and racial injustice.

Additionally because of our particular social and economic class and interests, we stop listening to the racial concerns of our neighbors, which results in apathy, complacency, and a defensive posture that only fosters comfortable conversations with neighbors who share the same cultural and political views that we hold. Furthermore, it looks like we are culturally guided by political priorities that align with our political ideologies instead of being guided by principles and values that reinforce the cultivation of love, peace, and compassion for our neighbor.

In the countless workshops, seminars, conferences, college classes, and crucial conversations I have facilitated among Christians of all races, I have noticed that Christians’ responses to America’s race problem are varied and even contradictory. They

· openly admit they are trying to deconstruct their racist values,

· don’t think America has a race problem,

· are not sure where to start,

· don’t feel motivated to address America’s race problem,

· remain neutral and indifferent,

· are tired of fighting and losing hope,

· think that the BIPOC community is alone in the fight, or

· think that Generation Z will lose hope in the Christian faith community due to a lack of commitment to fighting against racism and racial injustice.

We are still in need of a compassionate, consistent cultural response that provides hope and creates a unified pathway forward due to the reality that 70 percent of practicing Christians say that diverse friendships improve race dynamics in the United States.[2] As a result, we must address the following question: How can we unveil the transformative power of God’s love and commit to addressing issues of racism and racial injustice in a manner that is not racially, socially, politically, or religiously polarizing?

[1] Barna, “Most Christians Assume Diverse Community Will Improve Race Relations,” Barna.com, February 9, 2022, https://www.barna.com/research/improve-race-relations/.

[2] Barna, “Most Christians Assume Diverse Community Will Improve Race Relations,” Barna.com, February 9, 2022, https://www.barna.com/research/improve-race-relations/.