Introducti

on:
America has come a long way in regards
to racial relations since the civil rights
era, but it is naive to think that there is
no longer an issue.
Racism has managed to manifest itself
into the social sectors and power
structures of our world, creating a
society that perpetuates disadvantage for
those of color (See chart inside
brochure). As followers of Christ we are
called to engage in the work of
reconciliation.
In his book Restoring at Risk
Communities, John Perkins examined the
importance of racial reconciliation within
the Church and the profound potential
impact that it can have on the world. He
states,
Jesus said our witness, our credibility
to the world, is demonstrated by our
love for each other. There is no greater
witness to the genuineness of our
gospel. Think about it. If, because of
Christ, people of different races could
live out a model of reconciliation that
has not been attained by any other
force, the world would have to ask,
Why?

If we as Christians are to love our

neighbors as ourselves, then it is crucial
that the Church be at the forefront of
racial reconciliation. The body of Christ
is a multiethnic, multiracial entity, and
we should strive to reflect that in our
congregations. For all of you who
were baptized into Christ have clothed
yourselves with Christ. There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave
nor free man, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus (Galatians 3: 27-28). God makes
no distinction between all his beloved

The Biblical
Basis for
Engaging in
Racial
Reconciliatio
n.
By: Natalie Brown, Savanah
Stewart, and Cole Watson

It is only through Jesus Christ that true

racial reconciliation can occur. This
guide provides Biblical basis for why
racial reconciliation is important to
Christ, thus making it important to our
lives as well.
Image taken from sojo.net

This brochure provides

Biblical support regarding
why racial reconciliation
is important and
furthermore why we are
called to engage in it as
the Church of Jesus
Christ.

5 Biblical Themes to Guide Us

We are all created in the image of
God.
In Genesis were told that we are created in
the image of God (Genesis 1:26). This
includes all of mankind, even those who
differ from us ethnically. In Psalms and
Ephesians we are celebrated as fearfully and
wonderfully made masterpieces by God
(Psalm 139:14, Ephesians 2:10). As
creations of the living God we should love
and celebrate all of those around us no
matter our differences.

We are called to treat everyone with

dignity.
In the Gospels Jesus displayed for us how we
ought to live as he treated everyone with
dignity and respect, including the
marginalized and those who differed from
Him in race, class, and gender (John 4:1-30,

We are all one in Jesus Christ

Christ tells us that in Him we are all one
(Galatians 3:27-28). Although our
external appearance may differ, we are all
seen as equals in Gods sight. As a result
of this, we are called to love each other
and live in accordance with the truth that
in Jesus Christ we are all one (John 17:21,
John 13:34-35).

We are commanded to love one

another.
Christ demonstrated His all-encompassing
love for us in His life on earth and death
on the cross (1 John 3:16). Because of the
love that Christ extended to us we are
called, as followers of Christ, to extend
this love to everyone as well (Matthew
22:36-39, Micah 6:8, Ephesians 3:19,

Diversity gives us a fuller

picture of the Kingdom of God.
God created us all as individuals in His
image and for His purposes. Diversity
challenges us to not just view
Christianity and the world from our own
cultural lens but from a global and
diverse perspective. By building
relationships with people who differ
from us we begin to see them not as
different, but as brothers and sisters in
Christ. We see this type of living in the
early church! (Acts 2:5-12, 42-47)

God embodied
reconciliation Himself and
now we are invited into
that as well.
For God was pleased to have all his
fullness dwell in him, and through
him to reconcile to himself all
things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making
peace through his blood, shed on
the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)