1. Some Biblical Thoughts on Race and Ethnicity Forest Hills Bible Chapel 12 October 2008

2. Race and Ethnicity 26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

3. Race and Ethnicity 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. – Genesis 1:26-28 TNIV

4. Evolutionary Theory and Race Published in 1859.

5. Quotes attributed to Darwin “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time, the anthropomorphous apes... will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro [sic] or Australian and the goril la.” - Charles Darwin - Charles Darwin

6. Quotes attributed to Darwin “It has often been said... that man can resist with impunity the greatest diversities of climate and other changes; but this is true only of the civilized races. Man in his wild condition seems to be in this respect almost as susceptible as his nearest allies, the anthropoid apes, which have never yet survived long, when removed from their native country.” – Charles Darwin.

7. Quotes attributed to Evolutionists Referring to On the Origin of Species, by Darwin, Harvard University's Stephen Jay Gould wrote, "Biological arguments for racism may have been common before 1859, but they increased by orders of magnitude following the acceptance of evolutionary theory."

8. Quotes attributed to Evolutionists “The Negroid stock is even more ancient than the Caucasian and Mongolians, as may be proved by an examination not only of the brain, of the hair, of the bodily characteristics... but of the instincts, the intelligence. The standard of intelligence of the average adult Negro is similar to that of the eleven-year-old-youth of the species Homo Sapiens.” – Henry Fairfield Osborn, professor of biology and zoology, Columbia University, 1908-1933.

9. Quotes attributed to Evolutionists The ethical principle inherent in evolution is that only the best has a right to survive... - Henry Fairfield Osborn Would we not expect this kind of thinking from those who subscribe to belief in 1) Natural Selection 2) Survival of the Fittest

10. Racism in “Christian” History If nature favors the colored brethren and sisters in the exercise of humility, it is that much to their advantage, if they are rightly exercised by it. A little, and our humility will work out for our good. A little while, and those who have been faithful to their Covenant of Sacrifice will be granted new bodies, spiritual, beyond the veil, where color and sex distinctions will be no more. A little while, and the Millennial kingdom will be inaugurated, which will bring restitution to all mankind – C. T. Russell

11. Racism in “Christian” History One prominent Christian fundamentalist leader once wrote, “Intermarriage of the races is a breakdown of the lines of separation which God has set up and, therefore, is rebellion against God.” To support his viewpoint, [he] cites Paul's statement in the Acts of the Apostles, that of all peoples, God “hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” (Acts 17:26-27). Other belief systems include: White Supremacists – the Caucasian race is superior. Segregationists – those who maintain that God intends different “races” to separate, for mutual good.

12. What does Scripture tell us? The Creation account, which describes a single set of parents for all of humanity – Gen. 1:26-28. The Creation account, which describes a single set of parents for all of humanity – Gen. 1:26-28. The genealogy of Jesus - Matthew 1:2-16 – see especially vv. 3, 5. The genealogy of Jesus - Matthew 1:2-16 – see especially vv. 3, 5.

13. What does Scripture tell us? The Pentecost narrative – all different races and groups of people brought together as potentially members of one Body of Christ – Acts 2:5-12, 17-21 (Peter’s quote of the passage in Joel). The Pentecost narrative – all different races and groups of people brought together as potentially members of one Body of Christ – Acts 2:5-12, 17-21 (Peter’s quote of the passage in Joel). Peter’s Vision of the Sheet of Animals – Acts 10:9-17; 27-29, 34-35, 43. Peter’s Vision of the Sheet of Animals – Acts 10:9-17; 27-29, 34-35, 43. The prophets and teachers at Antioch – Acts 13:1-3. The prophets and teachers at Antioch – Acts 13:1-3.

14. What does Scripture tell us? The common source of all human ancestry – Acts 17:24-31. The common source of all human ancestry – Acts 17:24-31. The ultimate makeup of all of God’s people – Revelation 7:9-10. The ultimate makeup of all of God’s people – Revelation 7:9-10.

15. Applications Racism is a sin, and we are all sinners, but we are a “community of grace”! Racism is a sin, and we are all sinners, but we are a “community of grace”! We need to avoid comparing ourselves to other groups of believers – and observing our differences - as though we are “normal” and they are “different.” Example – our tradition vs. the “Black church.” We need to avoid comparing ourselves to other groups of believers – and observing our differences - as though we are “normal” and they are “different.” Example – our tradition vs. the “Black church.”

16. Applications We need to strive for diversity in our worship and Christian life experiences – and this will not be easy – for a variety of reasons. We need to strive for diversity in our worship and Christian life experiences – and this will not be easy – for a variety of reasons. Rethink some of our terminology – i.e., “Missions” vs. “Inter-Cultural Ministry.” Let us share the gospel with others from a position of equality and respect, and not a position of superiority. Rethink some of our terminology – i.e., “Missions” vs. “Inter-Cultural Ministry.” Let us share the gospel with others from a position of equality and respect, and not a position of superiority.