Is The Bible Racist?
Preaching
Lions And Cows Dining Together
And 111 Other Sermon Ideas
Object:
Purpose Statement: Can we find any racism in our Bible?
Haven't we all heard the statement that whatever the issue, we will be able to find passages in scripture to support both sides of the position? Biblical passages will be cited to support the use, as well as the abolition of capital punishment; the permission to use, as well as the prohibition of alcoholic beverages; the support and also the condemnation of war, the permission and denial for divorce: that homosexuality is and is not a sin, and so forth. What about racism? The Bible has been quoted to justify slavery and segregation in the past, even though we all know both are contrary to God's will. Can we see vestiges of racist attitudes in scripture today? No! You will find verses recommending burnt offerings, stoning, and other unfortunate practices, but nothing of a racist nature. Let us consider four thoughts.
a. Slavery. There are certainly passages in our Bible that seem to support slavery, but not by race. Exodus 21 clearly indicates that slavery was not associated with race or ethnicity. Jews were enslaved by fellow Jews. People of all races owned slaves of all races. There was no race distinction associated with slavery. Christians have made a case for slavery using Paul's letter to Philemon. But the race of neither Philemon nor Onesimus is known, and is not an issue.
b. Segregation. Again, there is no doubt that segregation is recommended in parts of our Bible, but in every case it is not associated with race. Segregation pertained to differences of religions. The people, particularly in Old Testament periods, believed God did not want the Israelites living with, or marrying, people of other religions. The fear was Israelites would stray from the true worship and religion. Race was totally unrelated. Examples would include Exodus 23:27-33 and 34:10-16.
c. Passages cited for racism. It would be impossible to consider every passage someone might conjure up to support racism, however, the favorite ones usually quoted are easily dismissed as erroneous. One popular source is the curse on Ham pronounced by Noah, not by God (Genesis 9:18-27), and it was a curse on Semitic peoples (Canaan), not just Africans. The tower of Babylon story is about languages, not races (Genesis 11:1-9). Both Ezra and Nehemiah prohibited mixed marriages, but not according to race, but by and because of differences in religions.
d. Passages cited against racism. John 4:5-27 has Jesus relating to a Samaritan woman (one whom Jews would discriminate against) in an unacceptably familiar way for the culture of his day. Luke 10:25-37 makes the hero or good person a Samaritan. Philemon 1:15-16 urges Onesimus to accept his slave as a "dear brother." Galatians 3:26-29 tells us there is no difference between slaves and free men, races, or gender; we are all one. Ephesians 2:11-18 again reminds us we are all one body, not separate races. Paul rebukes Peter for inappropriate and unacceptable racist behavior (Galatians 2:11-14). The Sermon on the Mount says we are to love all people, even our enemies, and treat them all equally (Matthew 5:43-44, 47). Song of Songs 1:4-6 claims dark skin is beautiful. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, and others took wives from other nations and races.
This is only a beginning. When preaching this subject, you will find many other supportive biblical references.
Haven't we all heard the statement that whatever the issue, we will be able to find passages in scripture to support both sides of the position? Biblical passages will be cited to support the use, as well as the abolition of capital punishment; the permission to use, as well as the prohibition of alcoholic beverages; the support and also the condemnation of war, the permission and denial for divorce: that homosexuality is and is not a sin, and so forth. What about racism? The Bible has been quoted to justify slavery and segregation in the past, even though we all know both are contrary to God's will. Can we see vestiges of racist attitudes in scripture today? No! You will find verses recommending burnt offerings, stoning, and other unfortunate practices, but nothing of a racist nature. Let us consider four thoughts.
a. Slavery. There are certainly passages in our Bible that seem to support slavery, but not by race. Exodus 21 clearly indicates that slavery was not associated with race or ethnicity. Jews were enslaved by fellow Jews. People of all races owned slaves of all races. There was no race distinction associated with slavery. Christians have made a case for slavery using Paul's letter to Philemon. But the race of neither Philemon nor Onesimus is known, and is not an issue.
b. Segregation. Again, there is no doubt that segregation is recommended in parts of our Bible, but in every case it is not associated with race. Segregation pertained to differences of religions. The people, particularly in Old Testament periods, believed God did not want the Israelites living with, or marrying, people of other religions. The fear was Israelites would stray from the true worship and religion. Race was totally unrelated. Examples would include Exodus 23:27-33 and 34:10-16.
c. Passages cited for racism. It would be impossible to consider every passage someone might conjure up to support racism, however, the favorite ones usually quoted are easily dismissed as erroneous. One popular source is the curse on Ham pronounced by Noah, not by God (Genesis 9:18-27), and it was a curse on Semitic peoples (Canaan), not just Africans. The tower of Babylon story is about languages, not races (Genesis 11:1-9). Both Ezra and Nehemiah prohibited mixed marriages, but not according to race, but by and because of differences in religions.
d. Passages cited against racism. John 4:5-27 has Jesus relating to a Samaritan woman (one whom Jews would discriminate against) in an unacceptably familiar way for the culture of his day. Luke 10:25-37 makes the hero or good person a Samaritan. Philemon 1:15-16 urges Onesimus to accept his slave as a "dear brother." Galatians 3:26-29 tells us there is no difference between slaves and free men, races, or gender; we are all one. Ephesians 2:11-18 again reminds us we are all one body, not separate races. Paul rebukes Peter for inappropriate and unacceptable racist behavior (Galatians 2:11-14). The Sermon on the Mount says we are to love all people, even our enemies, and treat them all equally (Matthew 5:43-44, 47). Song of Songs 1:4-6 claims dark skin is beautiful. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, and others took wives from other nations and races.
This is only a beginning. When preaching this subject, you will find many other supportive biblical references.
