In my very few years on this planet, I have witnessed, experienced, participated in, and denounced racism. Like all people, I'm an imperfect human in a sinful world.
I was raised in a city where tension between South Asian and European communities was always high. In school there was no mixing between these people. Like most kids, I learned the slurs and used them without understanding their impact. Although I wasn't innocent, I was naive and immature on the matter.
A little older and around the age of 12 - 14, I was walking with my best friend to a local supermarket with his mom. His dad was Jamaican and his mom a pale white, even by British standards. As we were walking a gang of South Asians started calling him the n-word without provoke.
Fast forward through my life and I've experienced a gang of South Asians attack me. I've been threatened with assault, glass bottles hurled at me, and told in church that I'm going to hell because of my whiteness by Afro-Carribeans. Not to mention the number of times I've heard my opinion doesn't matter because of my skin, gender, and sexuality.
It's clear that racism is real and yet, I don't think Critical Race Theory is an accurate summary of the world around me and certainly not biblical. Let's explore the topic together as I share my Christian beliefs.
What is Critical Race Theory?
It is a philosophical view of society arguing that Western (particularly American) culture is founded upon layers of institutionally racist values. By that it means the legal, judicial, political, and economic policies are designed to benefit the interest of a few powerful and rich whites, doing so at the cost of minority ethnic communities.
The allure of this worldview is that some of it is true, or at the very least it has the appearance of truth. For example, political elite seem incapable or unwilling to improve or change inequality. Laws are often legislated which by their very nature will impact the poorest communities. All of this is not to mention the brutal history of imperialism and vast wealth from that era.
The Challenge as Christians
As Christians, we acknowledge Critical Race Theory as a philosophy. It is an attempt to understand the history of society and its values. Although it has evidence, it is not an accusation against any particular act or individual.
Being a philosophy does not mean that the idea behind it is inherently good or evil, nor that it is right or wrong. It simply means that social institutions may exist and be recognized by name, but they are not entities. They lack values and do not possess any ability to create, uphold, or express any thought or deed.
Why is this important?
Paul writes that we must 'see to it that nobody takes us captive by philosophy' (Colossians 2:8). Our world views must align with the God's revelation, his redemptive work in Christ, and all that he teaches in his word. Paul is pushing us to discern that our beliefs and ideas must be wholly supported by the word of God.
The great challenge we face is that our sin is individual and it is against God. When I said racist comments as a teenager, that was not the fault of an institution. It was my own sinful nature and it is me that needs salvation. If we blame nonentities for suffering then we diminish individual responsibility for sin. It is not a legal, judicial, political or economic systems that needs to be saved from sin, it is each individual.
While Critical Race Theory does not discuss the doctrine of sin, it nevertheless fails to be supported by it. Contrary to the world's belief, a world without fear, poverty, pain, or suffering cannot be attained through human intellect or reform. The one and only perfecter of salvation is our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Final Remarks
The world needs Jesus Christ more than a new philosophy. But that does not mean issues felt by people are not real. As people we live in a time of suffering, but as Christians we have an eternal hope.
Do not be deceived by this empty philosophy, hold firmly to the truth of the gospel.
Finally, as the word of God reveals to us: 'do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind' (Romans 12:2) and 'we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to gentiles' (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Comentários