In order for the United States to move past issues like slavery and racism, challenges
must be dealt with first. These challenges include the impact of slavery, racism, and
institutionalized discrimination (Miller 2018). The impact of these issues are far-reaching and
effect the very core of this nation beginning with families. Families are the first ordinance system
of government in the United States (Miller 2018). The War on Poverty further built in the
problem of family break up which left a deeper impact on society especially with the issue of
fatherlessness (Miller 2018). This created an immeasurable impact in many aspects of society
such as: poverty, education, crime, and incarceration (Miller 2018). These impacts are not limited
to minority communities because they have an overall impact on the nation. Turning to the
government to solve these familial issues is not the answer, as seen with the negative impact on
the War of Poverty. This is something the church must take over and provide solutions to areas
the government has failed (Miller 2018).
These challenges must be dealt with from the bottom up, not from the top down as the
government has done. The first step in combatting these challenges is for churches to reach out to
communities and form a relationship based on common ground (Miller 2018). When
relationships are formed it provides a more impactful route to move individuals towards a more
successful life as opposed to the government promoting a culture of grievance which
subconsciously forms a culture of inferiority and promotes groupthink behavior. When this type
of collectivism is in effect, victimization is the cause which then gives this behavior legitimacy
(Miller 2010, 203). “Collectivism in the black community exploits white guilt and stifles black
individualism” (Miller 2010, 203).
The church must realize the commitment to healing the nation and race relations is a long
term commitment. The church must realize it may not see the harvest of the work in one’s
lifetime but must know it is necessary for healing and the end result of a more unified nation.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do
not give up” (Galatians 6:9 [NIV]). In addition, the church must realize the divisions within the
church itself. When speaking of the church, it does not mean one church in particular but His
church, the Body of Christ. There must be unity here first.
Recent findings have suggested there is still a prominent division of race in America and
there is a decrease in willingness to find a common ground of understanding (Tracy 2013). There
is an increase in belief within the Christian culture that to improve race relations is to stop
talking about it (Tracy 2013). This is only somewhat understandable as skin color should not be
seen as a division between people under God because everyone is a part of the human race.
However, knowing racial issues and tensions are still alive and well today in this nation, not
talking about it eliminates any opportunity to further discuss the issue and reach common
understandings which will work towards healing the nation as a whole.
These issues cannot be ignored as it is analogous to sweeping it under the rug. There is an
increase in belief among white and black Christians that it is “okay for races to be separate, as
long as they have equal opportunity” (Tracy 2013). This belief not only further alienates
Americans from each other and accepting different cultures but also fails to demonstrate unity
under the Body of Christ. “Many of us ignorantly push forward attitudes that do nothing to
pursue and improve the united of the Body of Christ” (Wielhouwer 2015). This is an example of
America being described as a salad: people who get mixed in with others who keep their own
cultural heritages. There are repercussions of the two contradictory worldviews.
The church must also not restrict the discussion of race from popular culture. Sociologists
and historians have explored and studied how churches and ministries have tried to make amends
for America’s original sin (Stephens 2018, 1045). However, they have found little has been
discussed concerning race issues within evangelical popular and teen culture (Stephens 2018,
1045). This is concerning because it is the nations’ youth who carries on the vitality of this
nation.
The topic of immigration is another hotly debated issue. Immigration is a multi-faceted
and complex issue with no single solution. Even among Christians there are divisions on the
topic. There are many biblical principles that are applied from all standpoints. For example, the
issue of national security. There are some who take the stance of “a given government’s
responsibility under God is to safeguard its citizens” versus the concern for the well-being of
undocumented workers’ families and the issue of family break up (Edwards 2009, 2).
Immigration reform and racial healing is no easy feat. It must take great wisdom, from all
sides, to work towards a better solution. There is no greater wisdom than the wisdom that comes
from God. He is generous with the wisdom He gives, but one must recognize His authority and
ask for it. Much like the story in Daniel, God blessed Daniel with wisdom when he refused to
follow the king’s ruling to eat unclean. Daniel knew this would be a complete disobedience to
God and refused to follow the king’s order and suggested for a different course of diet which was
in compliance to God’s authority. For this act of obedience God honored Daniel’s decision by
giving him wisdom and in turn Daniel earned the king’s favor. “To these four young men God
gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could
understand visions and dreams of all kinds” (Daniel 1:17 [NIV]).
References
Edwards, James R. 2009. “A Biblical Perspective on Immigration Policy.” Center for
Immigration Studies, September 16, 2009.
https://cis.org/Report/Biblical-Perspective-Immigration-Policy
Miller, Ron. “This is My Country.” In SELLOUT: Musings from Uncle Tom’s Porch, edited
by Anita Crane, 199-213. Maitland: Xulon Press, 2010.
Miller, Ron. 2018. Securing Liberty-Achieving Continued Progress in Racial Reconciliation.
Liberty University Blackboard site.
https://learn.liberty.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?
course_id=_492581_1&content_id=_28538760_1
Stephens, Hilde L. 2018. “Tearing Down the Walls of Segregation: Race Conservatism, and
Evangelical Rap.” Journal of American Studies 52, no. 4 (November): 1043-1065.
https://doi.org.10.1086/690235.
Tracy, Kate. 2013. “A Growing Gap: How Black and White Christians Now Think About Race.”
Christianity Today, December 23, 2013.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2013/december/growing-gap-how-black-white-
christians-think-race-pals.html?share=nJiWBlR58KqunA%2fD5pWifD62uxQmJ5Zi
Wielhouwer, Peter. 2015. “Toward a Biblical Worldview of Race.” Legacy Academic Consulting,
June 28, 2015. http://legacyacademic.com/448/toward-a-biblical-worldview-of-race/
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