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Genesis 9:19-These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.
Recently, a friend sent me this message.
“Brother Mark, while I have no problem with today’s message, perhaps tomorrow we can hear of white supremacy and militias in America that have similar summer camps. We might also address European endeavors throughout history that supported atrocities and often in the name of God.”
Just as we need to be aware of the dangers of Islam, our brother is right that we also need to address the issue of white supremacy. To some people, racism is the “elephant in the room” which they do not want to be discussed. These folks would like to believe that racism is a thing of the past. In their minds, it has been soundly dismissed and defeated in modern day America.
To others, white supremacy is proudly and loudly advocated as the right way forward.
Frank (not his real name) was a young member of the Nazi party that I became acquainted with in jail ministry in eastern Kentucky some years back. He had profound hatred for anyone different from him, but especially if the “other” person wasn’t white. At first, he found me intriguing. When the jail cell began asking questions about the existence of God and Darwin’s theory of evolution, the topic soon turned towards racism. (After all, Darwin’s theory of macroevolution was built on the principles of racism. In fact, his famous book, The Origin Of Species, is actually fully titled, The Origin Of Species By Means Of The Preservation Of Favored Races In The Struggle For Life. Nothing racist about this, is there?)
Frank: Our nation is destroyed because we have let all these races overrun us!
Mark: Really? Who is “us?” And who are all “these races” that you are talking about?
Frank: The only real Americans: white people! Ours is the only pure blood! The other races need to be kicked out. We need to get rid of all the other ones!
Mark: Do you believe the Bible?
Frank: Absolutely!
Mark: What about the Bible teaching that we all come from the same human parents and we all have the same human ancestors?
Frank: You’re lying.
Mark: No, I’m not. According to the Bible (and science), the same blood flowing through your veins is the same blood flowing through the veins of a black man. In fact, your blood is the same as the blood flowing through my veins.
Frank: What do you mean?! You’re a white man like me!
Mark: Actually, I’m not. My Dad was Lebanese by birth and Japanese by adoption. My Mom’s people are Cherokee and Irish. My ancestors didn’t come here on the Mayflower, and I sincerely doubt that yours did either. But even if so…we have the same blood!
(End of relevant conversation).
Frank was less then impressed with the flow of our conversation after that.
Some years back, I was driving through Charleston, West Virginia on my way back to my home in Hazard, Kentucky. Hungry, I stopped at Olive Garden for a meal. A young black waiter was assigned to my table, and he and I started talking about the Gospel and modern issues. I asked him his opinion on subjects like “critical race theory” and “white supremacy.” He was hesitant to talk about these things at first, but when he learned that I am a Christian and a Gospel preacher who was writing up an article on the subject, he was eager to share his thoughts with me. (See my article here if you are interested: https://marktabata.com/2023/05/19/lets-think-about-critical-race-theory/).
When asked about whether or not he had ever encountered any personal examples of racism in his life, he told me about an incident that had occurred when he was in high school. He had stopped at a local department store on his way home one evening. A woman observed him and called the police to report him!
He had done nothing to deserve such treatment.
What had led to the police report?
The lady (an elderly white woman) had not seen a black person in that particular store at night before, and had called the police because she was convinced he was there to burglarize the joint.
According to the responding police officers, the woman had called them because he was black.
We are, sadly, living in a country where racism abounds in various ways and places. One of my closest friends told me some years back that he was afraid to carry a gun in Kentucky, even though he has a carry and conceal license.
The reason?
Because he is African American, and is nervous about altercations with the police.
I am doing research on “white supremacist” camps that my friend mentioned, and will hopefully put together another devotional on the topic as I learn more.
For now, let us remember God’s answer to racism:
Genesis 3:20-And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Acts 10:34-35-Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
Acts 17:26-28-And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
Romans 2:5-11-But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
What are some things that we can do as Christians to combat racism and white supremacy?
Lord, help us to see beyond the plague and foolishness of racism. Help us to share Your love with everyone, no matter who they are and where they are from. Amen.