SimpleAnswers

Troubling Questions

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Is Racism Sinful?

Racism is Ugly!Contributed to:• Hatred between Jews & Greeks in 1st

cent.• Slavery in America• The Holocaust• Present day racial unrest in America and

around the world! But, some have gone so far as to

use the Bible to promote their racist views.

Is Racism Sinful?Definition – Prejudice

An adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge. (merriam-webster.com)

Definition – Racism1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race2 : racial prejudice or discrimination (ibid.)

Racism is not NeighborlyLuke 10:25-ff• Jews did not like Samaritans• Jesus, by using the Samaritan as

an example, established the principle of agape (love).

• Who is my neighbor? The one to whom I make myself a neighbor!

• The racist is like the priest & Levite.

God Shows No PartialityActs 10:34-35•While we recognize physical

and cultural differences, one race is not inferior to another

•God recognizes the legitimacy of every race!

•What matters is whether you obey God’s will!

Acts 10:34-35Then 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.”

Hatred Is Sinful!Ephesians 4:31Colossians 3:81 John 4:20•Hatred or malice, whether

of brethren or others, is incompatible with the Christian walk

Ephesians 4:31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,

clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Colossians 3:8But now you yourselves are to put

off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

1 John 4:20If someone says, “I love God,”

and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

We Can’t Show Partiality with the Faith

James 1:2-9 (Read)• Favoritism, especially with regard

to the gospel of our Lord, is sinful.• You have become “judges with evil

thoughts”• You have “dishonored” another man• You commit sin, violating the

command to love your neighbor

ConclusionRacism fosters hatred for others. It

is the root of all types of violence and intolerance throughout the world.

It runs counter to God’s call for the Christian to love his brother, neighbor, and even his enemy.

God is not a racist, and His children must not be racists

either!