News
Race Conciliation
Why are we focused on changing laws instead of changing hearts?
Racism is both a heart issue and much larger than a heart issue. If sin were just a matter of individual deeds, heart change would be sufficient, but sin has corrupted every aspect of the world, including structures. Focusing on only changing individual hearts leads us back into the trap of individualistic faith. Sin exists in our hearts and in … Read More
Why don’t you denounce the violence of rioting and looting, too?
As Kingdom people called to be “peacemakers,” we decry all violence. Destroying or stealing other people’s property is wrong. But here it’s important to understand some history. Going back to the centuries of slavery America was built on, whites have decried the destruction of property and lack of “law and order” whenever black or brown people revolted against the racist … Read More
For Anabaptists, isn’t talking about unjust laws engaging in politics?
It is true that Anabaptists have always stressed that the Kingdom of God is not merely a new and improved version of the kingdoms of the world. God does not call Christians to grab as much worldly power as possible to run society as much as possible. No, we are called to seek an entirely different kind of power—the power … Read More
Don’t you think if George Floyd wasn’t breaking the law, he’d still be alive?
Imagine if George Floyd was your father, brother or son. You watched him slowly suffocate to death. Now imagine someone said, “Well, he shouldn’t have passed a phony twenty-dollar bill?” How would you feel? Probably you’d be infuriated. Nothing could be less relevant in light of the injustice inflicted upon your loved one! When people point out the shortcomings of … Read More
Is America Still Racist Today?
America was established by whites and for whites, usually at the expense of non-white people. This created systems that advantaged whites through things like access to land ownership, the right to vote, etc., and disadvantaged non-whites, most obviously through the horror of slavery. While these eventually ended, the consequences of this racist history have lasted to the present, continuing to … Read More
Who Am I Supposed to Believe?
A Google search for any significant topic turns up a cacophony of conflicting opinions. This hopelessly murky situation is our new reality, and it is here to stay. But we believe it is important for Kingdom people to hold to the existence of objective facts, and to take responsibility, to the best of one’s ability, to discern what these facts … Read More
Aren’t we just causing more division by talking about racism?
Jesus died to tear down the walls of hostility that divide all people groups in order to create in himself “one new humanity” free of division. [1] Jesus died to fulfill God’s original dream for humans to reflect God’s loving character through love for one another. So why do we keep bringing this up? Because it’s a central reason the … Read More
Why Are We Only Focused on White People?
Whether you are white, black or brown, the Gospel tells us we are all sinners in need of a savior. [1] So of course an individual black or brown person may be as prejudiced as any white individual. In addition, anyone can be discriminated against for any number of reasons. Some people are discriminated against because of their poverty, gender … Read More
What Does Racism Have to Do With Me?
You may wonder what this has to do with you if you don’t personally hate black people and you may wonder if you should be held responsible for other people’s past decisions? Certainly you are not responsible for your ancestor’s individual choices. But when it comes to racism in America, your personal responsibility doesn’t tell the whole story. In America, … Read More
What Is “Systemic Racism”?
When most white people think of racism, they think of someone in a white hood and robe or a generally hateful person. This is individual racism; the racist attitudes and actions of individuals. The examples of this are obvious, but systemic racism (sometimes called structural or institutional racism) is harder to understand. Does systemic racism just mean a bunch of … Read More
