SOME THOUGHTS ON RACISM AND POLICE BRUTALITY

When it comes to the current globally-impacting issue of racism and brutality, how should we as Christian Canadians be thinking through all this and how should we be biblically engaging it?

Would you agree that the typical Christian Canadian mindset when it comes to social, political or hot-button issues, tends to fall more on the side of silent passivity and/or reserved complacency? For example, would you say that over the past few weeks with the current issues surrounding racial injustice & police brutality, rather than speaking out and engaging the issues at hand, you may have been silently & inwardly wrestling through your own opinions, convictions, confusion or even complacency? As Canada celebrates such multi-ethnic diversity and social freedoms, have you thought to yourself “These current issues are obviously a serious problem in the United States but surely it isn’t as bad here?” Or “I’m not seeing blatant racism around me or in my own heart, why am I being made to feel like I need to acknowledge something not in my current context?”

Now I confess, my own heart has been bouncing between different thoughts and convictions over the past few weeks as well. When I first heard about the George Floyd killing, my initial thoughts were “Well, here we go again America! Another senseless killing of a black man. I’m glad I live in Canada”. And then some of my following thoughts over the next couple weeks were, “Why is this carrying on so long? Like, I agree for the reason and right to peaceful protest, but why is it escalating to such violence, why the fires and why the looting?” (I share these thoughts to be transparent about my own passive ignorance as well) Then as Christians began debating online over differing perspectives, sources and solutions, even in Canada, it became clear that careful listening and biblical wisdom were both needed. So here are some thoughts as to how we as a church need to view and respond to these current issues.

WE GRIEVE WITH THOSE WHO GRIEVE

1 Corinthians 12:26

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s toll on church gatherings since March and with the relaunch plans beginning to unfold in Alberta a few weeks ago, I’m sad to say that the George Floyd case and subsequent protesting seemed to be more of a “tack-on” to an already tumultuous time. As it seemed distant to my context and as immediate issues often garner more attention, this meant it didn’t capture my shepherding focus as much as it should have. As many brothers and sisters within our church are from African descent, in my complacency, I confess that I did not fully anticipate and realize the deep grief and sadness they would be experiencing at this time. For this I am truly sorry and ask for forgiveness.

As 1 Corinthians 12:26 and Romans 12:15 point out so clearly, regardless of anything at all, we are to love one another best by being there for one another in our hardest times. As many tears have been shed, as old wounds have been opened and as grief has been coming in waves throughout it all, our black brothers and sisters in the Lord have truly experienced a time of suffering throughout this season and it’s not over yet. Therefore church, by example of my own folly, and according to God’s compassionate Word, when the body suffers, we all suffer, when the body weeps, we need to weep. As our black brothers and sisters continue to be deeply affected, it should deeply affect us as well because we are one family. More than any other institution on the planet, the Church needs to be the primary source of love, care, truth and compassion when it comes to the fallout of racism and brutality. We need to look beyond ourselves and even beyond the arguments and stop to embrace and listen with true empathy to our brothers and sisters in their distinct and relevant time of suffering.

WE DENOUNCE RACISM AND CELEBRATE ETHNIC DIVERSITY

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Revelation 7:9

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands

The author of the Bible, our God, is anti-racist, and He is also the greatest celebrator of ethnic diversity. As Adam and Eve were created by God in His image as the first two human persons, all humanity shares the same parentage while also sharing the same image-bearing reality regardless of our physical differences. Therefore, we affirm the God-ordained equality of all persons on this earth regardless of skin colour, culture or creed and we boldly condemn any prejudice, partiality, or hatred towards someone who may look, act or even believe differently than ourselves.

In His perfect wisdom, God has divinely created all humans with such beautiful diversity, and He doesn’t allow any external diversity to influence his perspective on a person being a person. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7b. God is impartial to external appearances.

So as God’s character and Word proclaim a pure anti-racism, Christians must be ready to denounce racism in our homes, in our church and in the world. As Christians stand and speak into various important moral social issues inside and outside our church walls (Abortion, Free Speech, Human-trafficking, LGBTQ etc.) Racism should also be a part of our ongoing conversation and voice as we seek to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

WE DENOUNCE POLICE BRUTALITY WHILE RESPECTING OUR AUTHORITIES

Exodus 20:13

“You shall not murder.”

Romans 13:1

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (ESV)

Titus 3:1

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

As the current issue also involves a wider conversation of police brutality, we must also denounce the savage inhumanity as witnessed in the George Floyd killing and all other non-warranted deaths sinfully caused by the hands of authorities. Murder is clearly a biblical sin and is morally wrong because it is an act of ultimate hatred and the destruction of God’s own image in a person.

As the Lord has sovereignly instituted authorities for our good, we must also acknowledge that the sins of the few must not be so quickly translated to the whole, and sin does not legitimize more sin. When Christians speak into issues to do with our government and civil authorities we must do so in a submissive and respectful way.

WE HOPE IN THE GOSPEL PRESENT AND FUTURE

Ephesians 2:13–15

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 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, (ESV)

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

As Scripture speaks of hatred, strife and murder as a result of the sinful fall of mankind, Scripture also reveals that it’s only in the Gospel that people can be truly be united to God and to each other. As the blood of Christ is the only way to find peace and reconciliation with the Lord, it’s also by His blood that the dividing wall of hostility is broken down between Jews and Gentiles, thus creating one new man. The principle then follows that man’s only hope at true reconciliation between any ethnicity in the present is found only and ultimately in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we are united to Christ, we are united to each other.

As we continue to live in this world, Jesus said we will have trouble, but He also said that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We live in the tension of the already-not-yet, meaning Christ has won the victory by His blood, but we’re not in heaven yet, it’s yet to be fully consummated in future glory when He returns to make all things new. As we persevere through the troubles of today and while we await Christ’s return, we cannot walk blindly past the injustices of the world in the present. With the compassion of Christ, we must love our neighbours as ourselves by seeing the need, helping up, speaking out, but most importantly we have to remember that we have the only answer the world so desperately needs. We have the only message of everlasting reconciliation and peace. As the world grasps at temporary solutions, we know the most powerful, transformational and eternal solution, we know the Gospel. As the days will grow darker as the end draws near, the message we have been entrusted with becomes all the more urgent. As we reach out in practical help, we must never fall short of eternal help, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14)

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Revelation 7:9

You are loved

Pastor Quentin

Quentin WhitfordJune 18, 2020