A biblical Christian ethic is one free of all racism and discrimination. God created man in his own image, so we have no right to play favorites or show partiality (Gen 1.26-27, Deut 16.19). Furthermore, we are commanded to love our neighbor – even if he speaks a different language, comes from a different country, is disabled in some way, makes far less (or more) money than we do, etc. (Lev 19.18, Matt 22.39, Jas 2.1ff). In fact, we’re called to love and pray for even our enemies (Matt 5.44)!
This carries over into the church. Since Jesus is Lord of all, the church should be a discrimination-free zone (Acts 10.36). In his death on the cross, Jesus not only resolved the hostility between God and sinners, but also between Jew and Gentile (Eph 2.13-16). He made the two into one, thus making peace; he is the ultimate peacemaker (v. 15). In Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, slave or free, male or female (Gal 3.28). neither Jesus nor the early church avoided the disabled (John 5.8, Acts 9.34). The Lord Jesus bestows the riches of his grace on whoever calls on his name (Rom 10.12). His church is made up of people from all tribes, tongues, and nations (Rev 7.9).
Because of this gospel truth, Christian churches don’t (shouldn’t!) make language, ethnicity, political affiliation, income level, or health status a part of membership requirements. (As a side, this is one reason why I don’t believe national flags or patriotic songs are appropriate in a church setting.) Discrimination in the church is such a terrible sin that Paul sharply rebuked Peter publicly and to his face for playing favorites (Gal 2). James even said, if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors (Jas 2.9 ESV). If a Christian shows partiality or discriminates in the church, he or she is wickedly rebuilding the wall of hostility that Jesus tore down. It is hard to describe how sinful this really is!
Phillip Ryken said it well.
“Economic or social discrimination has no place in the church. …Genuine racial reconciliation is something only Jesus Christ can create. …Only in Christ are we reconciled to God and to one another. Only in Christ can many peoples become one people. Only in Christ can racial hostility be put to death. …It is sometimes said that 11:00 on a Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. If that is true, as it seems to be, it is a reproach to the church. How can we glorify God if we do not worship together as a reconciled community?”
Ryken also tells a story of D. G. Barnhouse’s Bible study in the ’40′s on the island of Manhattan. Barnhouse would often start the class with these joyful words (I’ll end with them). ”Here we have all classes of people – rich, poor, well-educated, illiterate…. Here are brothers and sisters in Christ!”
(The above quotes can be found in chapter 11 of The Communion of the Saints.)
shane lems
