THE PLAGUE OF RACISM

The recent controversies over the nomination of Lani Guinier and the riots in Los Angeles bring vividly to mind that none of us is immune from the worst plague of mankind. Problems in Bosnia, the Middle East, Germany, Pakistan, and virtually ALL over the world have their root causes in racism. If any disease killed the number of people in a year that racism is killing worldwide each week, we would pour billions of dollars into finding its cure.

Racism was probably the most difficult problem faced by Christians in the first century; its effects were even incorporated into their society's civil law (Acts 10: 28). It took special miraculous revelations (Acts 10, 11) to convince Jewish Christians that Jesus really meant "all the nations" (Mat. 28: 19). This clear injunction to evangelize the world regardless of race was overtly challenged by Judiazing Christians in Acts 15 as they attempted to impose Jewish traditions upon Gentile converts. Some never let up, as evidenced by some of the harshest and most pointed writings in the New Testament (Gal. 5: 1-12). And, at one time, even Peter was caught up in the mob psychology which typically accompanies racist activities (Gal. 2: 11-21).

But the teaching of the New Testament on this subject is beyond question (Rom 3: 22; 10:12; 1 Cor 12: 13; Gal. 3: 28; Col. 3: 11). No honest person can dispute that all races are to be one body in Christ. Any attempts at division in this regard are totally foreign to the apostolic teachings of the first century. If we as Christians have feelings to the contrary, then we should clearly recognize that their origins are of the devil, and their hateful consequences are worthy of damnation. As Paul said regarding Peter, "he stood condemned" (Gal. 2: 11).

Most sincere Christians find this problem to be quite perplexing, because it is natural for them to love everyone as Jesus taught. They ask: "Why can't we all just love one another and get along in peace?" The answer is that we can, united in the teaching of Christ. The reason that the vast majority of men and women do not strive for peace with those of other races is because they are outside of the influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is so much easier to motivate human action with hatred than with love. What Jesus taught and expounded of love over the course of nearly three years, was completely neutralized in less that one week of inciting bigotry and hatred (compare Mat. 21 with Mat. 27: 11-26). It is clear that racism and nationalism played no small part in precipitating His crucifixion. This characteristic of man, to allow ourselves to be so moved, coupled with our pride and insecurity, helps explain the plague of racism. As long as some political and religious leaders (of all races) derive their power from interpreting the actions of their opponents as racially motivated, they will continue to exploit the easily-stirred hatred within their constituencies.

While it is obvious that laws protecting the rights of minorities are needed in our society, there is only one effective solution to racism, and that is the gospel of Christ. There will always be leaders who exploit hatred (2 Tim: 4: 3-4, Mat. 7: 15-16). Jesus taught each one of us to refuse to participate in this evil, and to take positive action to demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are unlike us (Luke 10: 25-37). Anything short of this will fail miserably, as we have seen over the past 200 years, and as we are seeing each and every day.