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The Collapse of Naturalistic Morality
Racism is pretty much condemned across the world today, but not all condemnations are built on solid ground. Many non-Christians reject racism but do so while standing on foundations that cannot support their moral judgments.
Here’s the deal: Without a biblical worldview, there is no consistent, objective reason to say racism is wrong. Christian truth, by contrast, provides a clear and compelling answer.
The Limits of Secular Morality
You’ve no doubt heard it before. Non-Christian thinkers try all kinds of approaches to explain why racism is absolutely immoral. Some say race is simply irrelevant and shouldn’t factor into our treatment of others. Others say racism wrongly assumes one group is inferior to another.
And still others argue that it’s unfair to judge people for something outside their control, like their race. Some even appeal to abstract principles like “equal consideration of interests.” But these arguments all run into the same wall: they depend on the idea that human life has special worth. Yet secular worldviews offer no reason to believe that.
If human beings are just the result of random, natural, evolutionary processes, then we’re no more valuable than rocks or insects. There is no logical reason why racism… or anything else… should be considered “wrong.” Appeals to fairness, harm, or equality all assume a sacredness to human life that secularism can’t justify philosophically or ethically. Without a Creator God, nothing is sacred, and no one can say why racism… or murder or oppression… should be considered wrong or evil. It just is what it is. (This, by the way, is the current argument for paedophilia… it is what it is… just another aspect of nature.)
Evolution, Collectivism, and Racist Thought
History bears this out. Some of the worst racial ideologies of the last century were rooted in non-Christian ideas. Evolutionary theory, for instance, has been used to argue that different races developed at different times and that some are biologically inferior. These ideas fueled racist policies and violence under the guise of “science.” Darwin’s famous title actually was On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.
Collectivism… another non-Christian idea… also encourages racism. When folks abandon the biblical idea of individual sin and responsibility, they always blame groups instead. That’s how whole races have been scapegoated for society’s problems. In contrast, Christianity teaches that evil originates in individual hearts, not in racial groups.
Only the Bible Offers a Foundation for Racial Equality
The good news is that the Bible gives us a consistent and logical basis to oppose racism.
First, God created every human being in His image (Genesis 1:26). That means every person, regardless of race, has dignity, value, and worth. Second, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people. Revelation 5:9 says Christ redeemed people “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” Race has no spiritual significance; the only thing that matters is whether a person is a believer or an unbeliever. (worships the creature or the Creator)
The Sixth Commandment and Racism
God’s law directly speaks against racism. The sixth commandment, “You shall not murder,” includes more than just physical killing. Jesus explained in Matthew 5 that harboring hatred or speaking with contempt is also a violation of this law. Racism stems from hatred and contempt and is therefore condemned by God’s command.
The Westminster Larger Catechism makes this even clearer. It says the sixth commandment forbids “sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge…provoking words, oppression,” and everything that leads to the harm or destruction of life.
Racism fits squarely within what the commandment forbids. It also commands us to love others with charity, kindness, patience, and gentleness… qualities that destroy racism at its root.
One Human Race
In Acts 17:26, Paul teaches that God “made from one, every nation of mankind.” Evolutionary racism collapses under this truth. All people descend from one man, Adam, and all carry the image of God. That means no race is superior or inferior. Racism, then, is not only sinful… it’s a denial of the created order.
Philippians 2:3 gives us further insight. Paul writes, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” This command leaves no room for racial pride or contempt. Instead, we are to treat others as royalty… regardless of skin color or ethnic background.
Many of Paul’s epistles are pleas and demands for racial integration between Jews and Non-Jews. This is more than speculation. Here’s one article on that important theme.
What This Means for Society
The biblical case against racism applies to every sphere of life.
In the state, laws should be colorblind. Government has no biblical right to treat people differently based on race. Whether segregationist or integrationist, any race-based legislation violates God’s law. This includes historical injustices like Jim Crow laws and modern policies like race-based affirmative action.
In the church, there is no place for discrimination. The gospel is for all nations. Churches must welcome all people, refuse to bar any race from communion or leadership, and speak clearly against the sin of racism. Jesus commands His church to make disciples of all nations… not just some.
In the family, parents must not oppose interracial marriage on the basis of race. Scripture gives no racial restrictions for marriage. The only concern is whether the person is a believer. Numbers 12 offers a powerful warning: when Miriam opposed Moses’ interracial marriage to a Cushite (Ethiopian), God struck her with leprosy.
In private associations, the Bible makes a key distinction between sin and crime. Racism is a sin… but not a crime the government should punish.
If a business owner broadcasts racism, the state should not prosecute. However, the church can discipline, and the market can penalize such attitudes. In a truly free market, racism is costly and unsustainable. (If the Soup Nazi was an actual racist for example, Jerry, George and Kramer should simply go elsewhere for their soup.)
The Final Judgment
Ultimately, even if society fails to hold racists accountable, God will not. The Bible teaches that everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. As mentioned earlier, there is only one division in the Bible… creature worshippers and Creator worshippers. That’s it. Illegitimate division of any kind is a serious sin, and those who practice it will face the wrath of God.
Conclusion
Racism is not just a social flaw… it’s a rebellion against God’s creative design. Only the Christian worldview can explain why it is wrong and offer real hope for healing. The secular world may blow its horns against racism, but it cannot explain why black or white or brown lives matter. In secular politics, racism is used as a tool to divide us.
Only Scripture declares that every life matters because every person is made in the image of God. And only the gospel of Jesus Christ offers the power to overcome all the animosities that divide us.
