In the last two decades discussions about racial equality have moved to discussions about critical race theory. Critical race theory insists that white people are historically responsible for the oppression of people of color. Therefore, white people are incapable of acting beyond their self-interest and are incapable of understanding the plight of the oppressed.
Yes, systemic racism has been, and continues to be, an ugly reality. Some white people have embraced various forms of racism. Furthermore, the refusal by some white people to acknowledge historic and ongoing systemic racism is yet another form of white indifference to the plight of people of color. The current immigration crisis in the USA has given ample opportunities for some white Americans to demonstrate their embedded xenophobia.
With that said, critical race theory needs to be discerned in light of Christian teaching. Classic liberalism envisioned a colorblind society of equal justice and opportunity and was supported by the Christian vision of reconciliation. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a society in which the “sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” Critical race theory prefers a race-conscious approach with the ultimate goal of deconstructing social systems that have marginalized people of color. Critical race theory tends to be hostile to the historic expression of the Christian faith because all too often racial oppression has been accompanied by Christian missionaries funded by European nation-states supported by well equipped armies.
Christians are encouraged to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor 13:5). In other words, taking a hard look at sinful complicity is a necessary spiritual discipline. It we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal our sinfulness and bring us to conviction, then we will be provoked to cry out “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:13). White Christians should not be callous towards historical, or current, plight of oppressed people. Repentance and confession are necessary, often painful, acts that lead to sanctification and healing.
Presently, there are an estimated 40 million enslaved humans throughout the world – more than ever before. Where does this slavery exist? “North Korea, Eritrea and Burundi are estimated to have the world’s highest rates of modern-day slavery, with India, China and Pakistan home to the largest number of victims” (see here). This demonstrates that human oppression is not a white problem, it is a human problem. This is not justification of white complicity in the oppression of people of color, but a reminder that human sinfulness is a universal problem that requires a universal remedy.
Because critical race theory is primarily a postmodern legal construction there is no place for justification by faith, sanctification, or a new creation in which “the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). Race-consciousness is given priority over the ministry of reconciliation.
The Gospel is “divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses,” that is, systemic evil that oppresses humanity (2 Cor. 10:40). Humans join in a common lament, “Wretched human that I am!” (Ro. 7:24). But in Christ we join in a common testimony: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Ro. 8:1). The mercy of God delivers the oppressed and the oppressor. New creation in Christ delivers everyone from the systemic corruption of this present age. We walk in a world of darkness as bearers of the Light (Jn 8:12; 12:46; 1 Thess. 5:5; 1 Pet 2:9; 1 Jn 1:7).
So, am I condemned because my ancestors were slaveholders and some of my relatives were members of the Ku Klux Klan? As an Anglo-European am I beyond the reach of God’s grace, a grace that enlightens the eyes so that I can see oppression and speak against it? No! Ezekiel declares,
The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins … wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness (Ezek. 18:20, NLT).
I am not condemned for the historic sins of “whiteness” for in Christ I am a new creation. However, should I embrace the sins of my forefathers, if I continue to contribute to the systemic oppression, then I will be judged and condemned for complicity. As Ezekiel declared,
But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity … All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die (Ezek. 18:24).
Contrary to critical race theory, in Christ and through the Holy Spirit discerning believers of all ethnicities can hear the cries of the oppressed and speak prophetically on their behalf. Just as Christ has bore in his body the sufferings and sinfulness of all humanity; being the body of Christ, means that believers can share the laments of the oppressed (Ro 12:15; Eph. 2:13-17; Jas 4:9). As a white man, I can never fully understand the experience of my black or brown brothers and sisters. But, the Holy Spirit within makes us aware of that which grieves the Spirit. The Spirit grieves when humans are oppressed and suffer violence, and those who are filled with the Spirit likewise grieve. If we fail to grieve as the Spirit grieves, then we are quenching the Spirit. The Spirit inspires all believers to speak out in behalf of the oppressed and work for justice and peace for all humans.
In Christ we are one. There is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, no white, brown or black. Being in Christ does not erase our personal ethnic or cultural distinctions, but unites all tribes into one common people of God. My prayer is that all Christians will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, that all believers will grieve over human sinfulness, and that all believers will speak for righteousness and justice. We need to engage in listening and dialogue together. Only the Gospel of Christ can reconcile humanity with God, and with each other (2 Cor. 5:16-21).
