Modern culture tells us that when it comes to discussions about race, we have two paradigms from which to choose.
If you choose Door Number One, you are surrounded by those who deny that racism still exists. Who glibly declare that “all lives matter” as if those who say black lives matter are suggesting that only black lives matter. Who explain away every personal story of racism as “playing the race card” because to admit that it ever is a factor is to admit that the liberals are right.
Behind Door Number Two, you would be surrounded by those who defend every looting that took place in summer 2020, every act of vandalism, every act of violence, as justice. Who decry whiteness as the ultimate sin from which those with white skin cannot escape, and for which they must do penance every day of their lives. Who say that you must not only agree that black lives matter, but that if you don’t closely align yourself with the organization bearing that name, you are a white supremacist.
Dear Christian friends, THESE ARE NOT OUR ONLY OPTIONS.
If we do not acknowledge that Christ transcends the American two-party system, we are in grave danger of falling into a worldview dictated to us by secular culture rather than by God’s Word.
If you are a politically conservative follower of Christ, do not — I implore you — dismiss the stories you hear and read about the experiences and fears of your Black brothers and sisters in Christ simply because you see racism as a “liberal” cause. In recent weeks, my eyes have been opened to the difficulties faced by those whose skin color exposes them to experiences that I, as a white woman living in the suburbs, will never have. 
As a Christian, I am more than my political party; I am Christ’s ambassador to a hurting world, and with that position comes the responsibility to be quick to hear — with compassion, and with the realization that the person sharing his or her story is a fellow image-bearer of God.
If you are a politically liberal believer, please realize something: although racism is unquestionably a sin, and culture is providing some very specific guidelines on how to correctly combat it, some of the tools being offered to us do not necessarily originate in God’s Word; in fact, a closer look reveals several pitfalls that run contrary to the Gospel. An in-depth examination of these pitfalls would turn this into a very long blog post; consequently, I will briefly mention some primary concerns and end with a list of recommended resources that I strongly encourage you, my readers, to check out.
As believers, we hold God’s Word as being divinely inspired and as being THE truth about the world. Truth, therefore, is objective, and knowable by all people. Within the new framework, however, oppressed people have access to certain truths that others don’t — and those others are forbidden to question any aspect of it. Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is not the Gospel that was preached to the world. Should we increase our awareness of the experiences faced by believers who look different from ourselves? Absolutely. But should we redefine truth as something granted to only a select few? Not if we accept the definition of truth as God has defined it.
Equally troubling is the element of “us” and “them” that I see creeping up within the church — Christ-followers requiring repentance from their brothers and sisters of a different ethnicity for the sins of the past. Please understand: yes, some major aspects of our history are shameful. The sin that allowed such things to take place still lives in hearts today. But for any believer to attribute specific sin to a brother or sister simply because that person belongs to a certain group — and to accordingly require continual confession and repentance for said sin — is breathtakingly unbiblical. God created and loves individual people, and every individual who follows Christ belongs to one group that transcends all others: the body of Christ. When one part of that body suffers, every part suffers with it. If we hold others’ sins against them, we are harming the body of Christ by doing exactly the opposite of what God does for us. 
Fellow believers, we have work to do. The world is filled with anger, division, and violence, and we would be foolish to suppose that simply believing the right thing, but then sitting back and doing nothing, will heal the hurts we see. Before taking action, though, let us be sure that, after examining the options offered to us by the world, we look carefully at what’s behind Door Number Three. If we truly believe the Bible, we know that only the life-transforming love of Jesus, received by individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicities, can really change the world.
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As suggested above, it’s hardly possible in one blog post to adequately address the complex issues I raised — and besides, it makes a lot more sense to learn directly from people who have studied the issues in depth. For interested readers, here are some some resources I’ve found to be extremely informative, helpful, and insightful.
For an in-depth explanation of Critical Race Theory and its implications for the church, here are two excellent podcast episodes featuring Neil Shenvi, a Christian apologist who has studied CRT extensively:
For an overview of the terminology prevalent today, here’s a glossary by Neil Shenvi :
For an examination of the historical and philosophical roots of Cultural Marxism, watch this video by Voddie Baucham. If you want to save time, you can speed up the video; he speaks quite deliberately (translation: slowly)!
For an in-depth discussion of the theological issues Christians must deal with regarding issues of “race,” here are three guys who REALLY dig deep. I normally prefer podcasts (I can easily listen to them while doing something else) or written material (so I can read at my own pace — after all, I have kids!)…but this was WELL worth my time.
For a discussion about how to think as Christians instead of merely following the culture, here’s a conversation between two ladies I have really come to appreciate and pray for; Monique has a deep grasp of the beliefs underlying Critical Race Theory, having followed it herself for a long time. (Also available as a podcast; see the video description).
Another video, also with Monique as well as Alisa Childers, one of my favorite podcasters, having a conversation about the pitfalls of “woke” culture for the church.
Two excellent articles — one written by Natasha Crain about the ways Christians have been swept up into secular patterns of thinking, and the next written by Krista Bontrager about the new and very real Pharaseeism that has made its way into the church.
Lastly, a video addressing the question many people are asking: What can we do?
Grace on a Monday 