Why is there racism and disunity?

Gospel Unity – Ephesians 2:11-22 Next Three Weeks Part 1: The Root of Racism Part 2: The New Humanity Part 3: Getting In Step with the Gospel

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16

Why was there Hostility? “Blessed art thou Oh God that I am not a gentile, a woman, or a slave.” Ancient Jewish Blessing

Why was there Hostility? “Blessed art thou Oh God that I am not a gentile, a woman, or a slave.” Ancient Jewish Blessing Socrates expressed gratitude for having been born human and not a brute, a man and not a woman, Greek and not barbarian.

Why was there Hostility? “Blessed art thou Oh God that I am not a gentile, a woman, or a slave.” Ancient Jewish Blessing Socrates expressed gratitude for having been born human and not a brute, a man and not a woman, Greek and not barbarian. “Racism is an explicit or implicit belief or practice that qualitatively distinguishes or values one race over other races.” John Piper - Bloodlines

Pop Culture on Racism

Pop Culture on Racism Society teaches it.

Current Science on Racism

Current Science on Racism “We often assume that it takes parents actively teaching their kids, for them to be racist. The truth is that unless parents actively teach kids not to be racists, they will be.” Jennifer Richeson - Yale University social psychologist.

Current Science on Racism “An us-them mentality is unfortunately a really basic part of our biology. There’s a lot of evidence that people have an ingrained even evolved tendency toward people who are in our so-called 'in group.'” Erik Knowles - psychology professor at New York University

Rebecca Bigler, University of Texas Study The distribution was random; half were given blue shirts and half were given red. During the experiment, the teachers never discussed the T-shirts or sorted the kids by shirt color in any way.

Rebecca Bigler, University of Texas Study The kids didn’t divide themselves by shirt color, either, but when asked which color was better, they chose their own, saying that people with their color shirt were “smarter” and “better” than the others. 

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:13-16

Root of Racism

Root of Racism We are born with a sin nature. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Root of Racism We are born with a sin nature. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Therefore, we are born with a desire to exalt self.

Root of Racism We are born with a sin nature. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Therefore, we are born with a desire to exalt self. We learn “our group” identity.

Root of Racism We are born with a sin nature. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Therefore, we are born with a desire to exalt self. We learn “our group” identity. Once we have a group we naturally exalt our group.

Root of Racism We are born with a sin nature. (Ephesians 2:1-3) Therefore, we are born with a desire to exalt self. We learn “our group” identity. Once we have a group we naturally exalt our group. This does not mean all people are “racist” in the same way or the same degree.

Types of In/Out Groups Race Generation Religion Politics Nationality Education Gender Economic Status Sexuality Labor

What walls of hostility exist in your context? Types of In/Out Groups Race Generation Religion Politics Nationality Education Gender Economic Status Sexuality Labor What walls of hostility exist in your context?

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:13-16