Worldview, Race, and the Image of God

 

 

I am white.  My first encounter with a black person is a vivid memory.  I was really young (under 5). My home town was about 30% black and 70% white. When I was that young (about 1960) the two were segregated but we shopped at some of the same places.

I was standing with my mother in line at the grocery store and someone stroked my hair. When I turned around to see who it was I saw a little black girl about my age. I must have had a “What do I do about this?” look on my face because my mother very calmly explained. “Let her touch it. It is just different from hers.” The event was over after the mothers exchanged a word or two.

Later, our schools integrated after an emotionally heated referendum. The first couple of years went well but racial tensions came and went. When other white families were scared or convinced that terrible things were going to happen in the schools, they kept their kids home. Not my Mom. “They are people just like you. You are NOT going to get hurt.” And, we didn’t.

I am grateful for my mother’s attitude and understanding. Her constant stance against racial prejudice has made me wonder how parents today are teaching their children about race. From a Christian perspective God does not make a distinction due to the color of our skin. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “He wants none to perish” (2 Peter 3:9).

There are verses that teach us we are not to show any partiality regarding whom we are going to help or judge or welcome into our local assembly of believers (Deuteronomy 1:17; Galatians 3:28; James 2:1,9). Sadly, we are often more influenced by what we are taught at home and schools than we are by the Word of God, though this should not be if they disagree.

I was so impressed by a church in Massachusetts that I learned this week gathered their young people on a Zoom call to discuss the proper Christian response to the death of George Floyd and subsequent riots and looting. The group ranged in age from 15 – 27 and was largely of Haitian descent. Together they reasoned biblically and taught this next generation to look at things from a Christian worldview.

What wise Christian leadership!

Clearly, the numbers of “people of color” who are arrested, mistreated, and wrongfully accused are greater than that for the caucasian population. Yet the circumstances of the past few weeks have pointed out to me that police brutality is not confined to the black community just as it is not the practice of every police officer.

As I consider how to look at what is happening I am grateful for the reminder from this church in Massachusetts to consider the scriptures first. The death of George Floyd was certainly sin and if there’s a conviction, the death penalty would be called for. The same is true for the murder of several people, including police officers, by angry rioters. As one article said, “It’s not about skin, it’s about sin.”

I expect that I will have no direct part in the conclusion of any of it. But I am sure that by example and by intentional teaching I can have an influence for harmony and grace, just as my Mom did for me.

Personal examination is called for by each one of us. By our example and by words to the next generation, how can we teach about the respect we should have for one another? The article mentioned above also said, “It’s not about race, it’s about grace.”

After all, we are all made in the image of God (Acts 13:43).