"Racial reconciliation" is not the way
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Segment 1: Discussion of Race and Identity
We are on the road, family! Tonight's episode was pre-recorded; the ladies had a very thoughtful discussion regarding race and identity.
Conversations on identity are everywhere! Teens and young people are continually being asked, "Who are you?"
The topics/ideas for this show are things we have addressed at various conferences. These are the themes that keep coming up, so we wanted to provide an informative conversation to help equip you in handling these issues.
First off, when presenting this topic to audiences, we start by asking: What are you hearing on social media, in the mainstream media, at your school, or with your peers...what are some of the labels? Examples: white privileged, white supremacist, victim, thug, always angry, model minority or ignored
We need to understand that culture calls us all names! No need to shy away from conversations about the way things are. Culture invites us to define or redefine ourselves or speak an identity over us that we don't find in Scripture.
However, in Biblical Christianity, we define identity as what God declares over us. It is true of us in a declarative sense. It is objective truth. Not based on our sin or lived experience.
Who does God say you WERE (apart from Him)?
Separated from God, not part of the Covenant, created in God's image, male or female, dead in our trespasses
CREATION IDENTITY: Our identity as human beings, as defined by God since the beginning
We are created beings (Genesis 1 & 2)
We are created in the image of God
We are created with specific biological sex: male or female
We are created to get married + procreate
We are created to work
We are social creatures
We are fallen/sinful creatures (Genesis 3)
Our creation identity is under assault in our culture! We must be training our children to live counter-culturally!
Who does God say we ARE after our identity is "in Christ"? In other words, after salvation?
SALVATION IDENTITY: Our identity as children of God (John 1:12). Specific distinction for those who believe in the name of Jesus. Not every image bearer is actually a child of God. In other words, all humans are created in the image of God, but then a subset within that are the children of God.
We are children of God (John 1:12)
We are adopted into God's family (Eph. 1)
We are forgiven (Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:13)
We are no longer defined by our sin nature (2 Cor. 5) or our past sins (Col. 3:5-7)
No longer separated from God (Rom. 8:38-39), Heb. 4:16)
We have the assurance of spending eternity in heaven (John 3:16)
We are obedient to God (1 Pet. 1:14)
Why are these topics important when talking about race issues?
Ephesians 1 & 2—adopted, brothers and sisters, heirs
In the book of James—we don't show favoritism toward one another
2 Corinthians 5—not holding someone's sins against them; not regarded from the old man
We are not trying to attain unity with the world! Let's focus on Ephesians 4 and unity within the Church!
Where does ethnicity fit in? What about regional origin, skin color, family origin, socio-economic status, etc?
ISSUES OF PROVIDENCE: God's placement of our life in a particular time, place, ethnic heritage, family heritage, language, socio-economic status. These are the things we don't have a say over!
Acts 17:26: "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place..." God providentially allowed variation in skin color as people migrated.
Let's do the hard work of de-coupling skin color/race from culture and ethnicity; oftentimes race, culture, and ethnicity can get collapsed together, which can be very confusing!
RACE: According to the U.S. Census, race is defined in 5 categories: White, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American; social construct, based on skin color/melanin
CULTURE: Norms or belief systems, language, art within a society, unspoken attitudes, certain tastes (foods), rituals (singing happy birthday, shaking hands, eye contact). We don't want to conflate skin color and culture! For example, "The Black Experience" or "Whiteness"...meaning, if you are Black, you have *this* certain experience.
ETHNICITY: According to the U.S. Census, there appears to be 2 categories: Hispanic/Latino or NOT Hispanic/Latino
Greek word: Ethnos (translated as "nations"), where we get the word ethnicity; Matthew 28:19, Revelation 7...According to Scripture: OT—Jews and non-Jews (nations) and in the NT— "In Adam" and "In Christ"
For a deeper dive into more on the topics of race, culture, and ethnicity, check out our previous shows with Dr. Fuz Rana and Dr. Joe Miller:
"Is Believing in Creation an Expression of Racism?" with Dr. Fuz Rana:
"Scientific Racism" with Dr. Joe Miller:
Resources
Be sure to check out the Reality Student Conference! There are several stops around the U.S. Check out the website and make sure to get yourself and your teens to the conference near you!
Our friends at Impact 360 have phenomenal programs for teens and young adults that will ground young people in their Christian faith and apologetics. Check out the video to learn more and visit their website to sign up!
Be sure to check out our sponsors and show your support by liking, sharing, and picking up some merch!
Family 210 Clothing. Tonight's featured t-shirt "Created to Reign". We appreciate your support! For every t-shirt purchased, $10 goes toward our family business!