Racism, Bias, & Christianity

On August 9th of 2014 in Ferguson, MO, a young man named Michael Brown was shot by another young man- a police officer named Darren Wilson. Michael died as a result of the encounter. This incident was more than just a passing news story though. Another component was involved. The two young men, Michael and Darren, were of different ethnic backgrounds. Soon racial tensions across the United States were heightened even more than they had been before.
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The incident at Ferguson and the surrounding controversies were not the beginnings of racial tension in our country, they were just further evidence of its existence.
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Racism is not a new problem. As we read the New Testament, we see much racial tension. Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well is the encounter of a Jewish man with a Samaritan woman. As we look at the encounter we find that much of the tension has more to do with ideology than it has to do with race. She says, "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." (John 4:20 NASB).
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The “you people” comment is often used by racist people today as well. One of the difficulties with the whole discussion is that racism is not limited to one particular ethnic or ideological group.
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Racism can come in so many forms. Often there is a cultural, ideological, religious, or even political component. It is not uncommon for people to excuse racism as long as the racist has similar religious or political views. This brings in another component- bias. Bias is an unfair preference or dislike for something. It is very similar to racism.
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Racism is basically bias directed at ethnic heritage. Such bias is wrong whether it comes from the majority or minority of the population.
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Even when dealing with the leaders in the church, Paul warned Timothy, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.” (I Timothy 5:21 NASB)
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James also deals with the issue when he talks about wisdom from God. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) In the verses right before this statement, James warns about the wisdom that does not come from God and the damaging results. “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:14-16)
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Much of today’s racism is rooted in bitterness, envy and strife. All races ought to judge others by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. Christians need to remember that we are all created in the image of God no matter what race we are; therefore, there should be no racial preferences. Consider Colossians 3:9-11 NASB) “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”