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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Racism in the Bible
The text says that when Jesus decided to travel from Judea to Galilee, “He must needs go through Samaria,” John 4:24-26. Innocent words, yet words expressing an intent that may not be obvious to our senses today. Earlier in that text, Jesus spoke to a woman of Samaria, and we read her words: “the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans,” verse 9. Yes, there was considerable tension between the races in those times, and Jesus’ visit with that Samaritan woman speaks volumes to them and to our generation.
To some degree, we all reflect the influence of our parents and the culture in which we were reared. You can’t miss the teaching in the Bible about the attitude Christians should exhibit toward our neighbors, regardless of race. But as clear as the Bible is, some continue to harbor prejudice against those of other backgrounds, cultures and races.
When Jesus spoke to that woman He led the way to an attitude expressed all through the New Testament, that of love and respect for men and women of all races. The major racial bias in Jesus’ culture was between Jew and Gentile, but such prejudice was denounced in principle in many passages. Paul’s rebuke of Peter in Galatians 2:11-14 focused upon a prejudice that led to hypocrisy. Note these passages:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 3:27-28.
“Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,” Romans 3:29.
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free,” 1 Corinthians 12:13.
“There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all,” Colossians 3:11.
“There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Romans 10:12-13.
In all these passages we could substitute the word that represents any and all racial groups and the point would be the same: Jesus died for all mankind. That being true, all of us must be willing to set aside our prejudices toward other races and cultures.
Are they different from us? Do they have unusual customs and behavior patterns? Is their language or speech somewhat different from ours? The answer to all these questions may be “yes,” but Asians, blacks, Hispanics and Europeans will all answer to the same God in judgment. We all need the same Gospel, must obey God in the same way, and are as vital to Jehovah, as loved by Him as you and me. Do we like all their cultural differences? Do we understand their backgrounds and their ways? Of course we may have to work at having the right attitude toward others, but that is what God demands.
I clearly remember the “Whites Only” signs I saw as a boy on the water fountains and the rest rooms in public places. I went to school with many Hispanics, but no blacks. It was not until I taught in a Junior College that I taught a black student. As a child, I recall having a black lady named Lillian come to our home and clean house and take care of me during the day while Mother worked, but I never recall my parents teaching me that other races were inferior, and for that I am grateful. My attitude toward others still may not always be what it should be, but if I want to be pleasing to God, I cannot harbor ill feelings toward those of different color or speech.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently ran a story about Marvin and O. P. Leonard, who owned my favorite and the biggest downtown department store in that city. The story discussed their decision to remove those “Whites Only” signs long before the law forced them to do so. Today, respect for their decision comes from blacks and whites alike.
Yes, there is still a lot of prejudice—on all sides— but Christians must be willing to respect those who are created in God’s image, and take the message of the Gospel to them. They need it, and we must be willing to share with them. If we don’t……
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“No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.”
“You’ve got to be taught to be afraid, of people whose eyes are oddly made; Of people whose skin is a different shade; You’ve got to be carefully taught. You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late; Before you are six or seven or eight, To hate all the people your relatives hate. You’ve got to be carefully taught.”
“Prejudice is the child of ignorance.”
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Things I Want for My Grandchildren
by Paul Harvey
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would. I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room , but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom. If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head. I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like. May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. If a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend. I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma and Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays. I hope your Mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmastime when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life. Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you.
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