by Monique Duson
Race is not just a line drawn in the sand of human history; it is a chasm that has divided and defined families, communities, and churches. Within many churches, this chasm emerges as leaders and congregants discuss the best ways to address and correct historic wrongs of racial injustice. On one side of the divide, usually, are those participating in racial reconciliation. On another side of the divide, is the model of biblical unity.
The concept Christians call racial reconciliation is based largely on the secular principles of antiracism. The principles are borrowed from secular sociology and psychology and can be seen “in the wild” as practices instituting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, encouraging “allies” to stand not only for racial minorities but also the LGBTQ+ community or other groups seen as marginalized. As these ideas have overtaken the culture, they have sadly also infiltrated many Christian churches, causing us to ground our approach to racial issues in secular philosophies instead of in Scripture.
Churches are too often faced with division within the body that seems unreconcilable. But in Christ, we are provided with a better way.
“The Work” of Racial Reconciliation
If you’ve ever talked to a reconciliation proponent about race for more than 10 minutes, you’ve probably heard the phrase “do the work.” But what kind of work is this, and can it bring unity?
In the racial reconciliation approach, “the work” means the work of bringing people (usually just white and black people) together to the “table of reconciliation.” This metaphorical table is used to discuss actively bringing people of varying ethnic groups together to bear our grievances regarding racial injustice. This means talking about both real racial injustice like lynchings and Jim Crow laws, and also perceived racial injustices like microaggressions.
Conversations around the “table” are meant to help minorities express their truth and heal from racial injustices and to help white people hear the pain of the BIPOC community, gain an understanding of how their whiteness has aided in the oppression of people of color, and repent in a sacred space. Racial reconciliation proponents believe these steps will lead us toward true unity.
In secular culture, racial reconciliation is often known as “antiracism.” It emphasizes racial identity, equity of outcomes, changing systems, and achieving reconciliation by addressing historical wrongs and disparities. Here, “doing the work” begins with reading books or listening to speakers who uphold anti-racist beliefs.
Crack in the Foundations
I believe racial reconciliation proponents really do want unity. They desire to see past and present injustices confronted and corrected, especially within the church.
But while racial reconciliation and anti-racism may sound noble, their foundation has some cracks in it. Racial reconciliation makes race its starting point. The problem? Race is a social fiction. Biblically and scientifically, we know there is only one human race.
Racial reconciliation assumes hostility, division, and a need for reconciliation are in the room anytime two people of different races are present. People who are BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) or white are made into avatars of their group. In this view, it’s not who they are as people that matter, but what they represent. No one is asking the question, “Hey! Have I offended you? Do you and I need to reconcile?” It’s assumed, just by looking at you.
What Is Biblical Unity?
If we want true unity, we need biblical reconciliation. Biblical reconciliation occurs when directly impacted parties come together to repent and offer forgiveness. But in racial reconciliation models, those coming together for reconciliation are individuals claiming to represent the offenders and offended, not people who have directly harmed or been harmed. Without a direct offense to reconcile over, is reconciliation really needed or meaningful? I’m doubtful, so I propose Christians reject the works of the racial reconciliation framework in exchange for biblical unity.
Biblical unity doesn’t begin with the culture and then come to Scripture; it starts with Scripture. Biblical unity defines humans according to God’s definition, not according to race. Biblical unity starts with what is true about God, ourselves, and others. In other words, it gives us a lens for seeing the world as it really is.
Biblical unity understands that all humans are created in the image of God with equal dignity, value, and worth. As human beings, we are also united in our sinful nature, equally in need of a Savior. This alone would provide a strong foundation for rejecting racism, showing mercy and humility toward the offender, and respecting others’ dignity. But biblical unity doesn’t stop there.
Biblical unity also sees Christians as children of God (Eph. 1:3-14). As Christians, we are adopted to sonship, brothers and sisters, equally saved by grace through faith. No division by race has any place in this family. Biblical unity recognizes only two races—those who are “in Christ” and those who are “in Adam.” Those who are in Adam are still far from God but can be brought near through the work of Jesus. Those who are in Christ have already been brought near into the family of God. As Christians, we are to show mercy toward those who are in Adam and patience to those who are in Christ.
In the church, our unity is a reality already achieved because of the finished work of Christ’s death and resurrection, through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 17:1-23, Eph. 2:1-22). In Christ, unity is and must be the starting place for every believer. When we come into Christ, God the Father reconciles us to Himself, becoming our Father. He also reconciles us to each other as brothers and sisters. There is no work humanly possible that can make us any more unified.
For Christians, unity is not a destination to arrive at. We’re already there. This challenge isn’t working for unity and reconciliation; the challenge is acknowledging the work Christ has already done and walking in the unity He accomplished, despite culture telling us we can’t.
You and I can walk in unity, not because the right people came to the table at the right time, but because Jesus came at the right time and in the right way to achieve reconciliation. We can choose to live like the gospel is true. Will you?
Read more in Walking in Unity by Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager