ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
Race is an explosive topic in the United States. It challenges us to think about ourselves, our identity, and the experiences of marginalized communities.
Racial violence reminds us America still has a race problem. In 2020, we witnessed a public outcry through marches, protests and vigils. There was a desire to expose racism in all its forms and build a more inclusive and equitable society.
For many people like me, race is identity shaping. Certainly, I am also a child of God and a Pentecostal believer. I am born of the Spirit and connected to the family of God that transcends national and racial boundaries.
But I also live in a world where people cannot see my Pentecostal identity in the same way they see my racial identity. Race emerges every time I drive my car, walk down the street, or enter a store. Race is all around me. This inescapable reality is part of my daily life as a minority in America.
As a New Testament scholar who specializes in race and ethnicity in antiquity, I know the Bible has a lot to say about these subjects. The Bible is a long conversation about the redemptive gospel for all races.
Today, the word “race” evokes phenotypes, such as skin color or hair. In ancient times, people more commonly understood race in terms of one’s homeland, culture, genealogy, language and even religion.
But what does the Bible say about race and ethnicity? What guidance can we find in Scripture for navigating the racial justice challenges we face today? To answer these questions, we need to start at the beginning.
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Racial violence reminds us America still has a race problem. In 2020, we witnessed a public outcry through marches, protests and vigils. There was a desire to expose racism in all its forms and build a more inclusive and equitable society.
For many people like me, race is identity shaping. Certainly, I am also a child of God and a Pentecostal believer. I am born of the Spirit and connected to the family of God that transcends national and racial boundaries.
But I also live in a world where people cannot see my Pentecostal identity in the same way they see my racial identity. Race emerges every time I drive my car, walk down the street, or enter a store. Race is all around me. This inescapable reality is part of my daily life as a minority in America.
As a New Testament scholar who specializes in race and ethnicity in antiquity, I know the Bible has a lot to say about these subjects. The Bible is a long conversation about the redemptive gospel for all races.
Today, the word “race” evokes phenotypes, such as skin color or hair. In ancient times, people more commonly understood race in terms of one’s homeland, culture, genealogy, language and even religion.
But what does the Bible say about race and ethnicity? What guidance can we find in Scripture for navigating the racial justice challenges we face today? To answer these questions, we need to start at the beginning.
Read More
Hispanic Relations Staff