The Bible has a lot to say about prejudice, which is defined as preconceived judgment or opinion, usually based on limited information. Prejudice involves having negative attitudes and feelings toward individuals or groups simply because of their race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
Old Testament Teachings on Prejudice
In the Old Testament, God chose the Israelites as His special people, but also made it clear through the prophets that His love extended to all nations. For example, the book of Jonah recounts how Jonah initially resisted going to the enemies of Israel, the people of Nineveh, to preach repentance to them. However, God taught Jonah that He cared about people of all nationalities, not just the Israelites (Jonah 4:11).
The Mosaic Law prohibited Israelites from wronging or oppressing foreigners living among them (Exodus 22:21; 23:9). God reminded the people of Israel that when they were oppressed foreigners in Egypt, He had heard their cries (Exodus 22:21). Therefore, they were to treat others as they themselves had been treated.
Some additional Old Testament verses that speak against prejudice include:
“The Lord your God…shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” (Deuteronomy 10:17)
“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” (Deuteronomy 27:19)
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15)
Overall, the Old Testament emphasizes impartiality, justice, and care for outsiders. While the Israelites were God’s chosen people, they were still to reflect His love for all humanity.
New Testament Teachings on Prejudice
In the New Testament, Jesus set an example of reaching across prejudice barriers throughout His ministry. He intentionally sought out those rejected by society, such as Samaritans, Gentiles, tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers.
When questioned about who was a “neighbor,” Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, featuring a Samaritan—an enemy of the Jews—as the hero who showed mercy (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus made it clear that anyone in need should be viewed and treated as a neighbor, regardless of ethnic or social status.
The apostle Paul later echoed Christ’s teaching, writing: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Paul also addressed prejudice between Jews and Gentiles in the early church. He emphasized that God does not show favoritism or partiality between groups (Romans 2:11). Salvation was offered freely to all people through Christ.
Several other New Testament passages speak against prejudice and discrimination:
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (James 2:1)
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17)
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:8-9)
Overall, the life and teachings of Jesus as well as the writings of New Testament authors made it abundantly clear that prejudice has no place within Christianity.
How the Bible Says to Respond to Prejudice
The Bible not only condemns prejudice, but teaches principles for combating it. Christians are called to:
– Evaluate their own hearts for prejudicial attitudes (Psalm 139:23-24)
– Love others as themselves (Matthew 22:39)
– Live humble lives, considering others better than themselves (Philippians 2:3)
– Welcome and value those who are different from them (Romans 15:7)
– Disciple others in love to turn from prejudice (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
– Call out injustice and oppression wherever it appears (Isaiah 1:17)
– Promote equality and care for the disadvantaged (James 2:1-9)
– Judge people by their character rather than appearances (John 7:24)
Christians must lead the way in overcoming prejudice within the church. Only through walking in love as Christ did can we experience the diverse, unified community God intends.
Old Testament Examples of Overcoming Prejudice
While the Old Testament Israelites frequently struggled with prejudice, there are also great examples of overcoming it:
– Moses married a Cushite woman, going against cultural norms. (Numbers 12:1)
– Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, was welcomed into the Israelites due to her faith. (Joshua 2)
– Ruth, a Moabite foreigner, became an ancestor of Christ. (Ruth 1-4)
– Elijah helped a Phoenician widow in need during a famine. (1 Kings 17:8-24)
– Ebed-Melek, an Ethiopian, helped rescue the prophet Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 38:7-13)
– Daniel served in a pagan king’s court in Babylon. (Daniel 1-6)
These examples reveal that even in Old Testament times, God was concerned with all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or status.
New Testament Examples of Overcoming Prejudice
The New Testament contains even more examples of transcending prejudice:
– Jesus reached out to tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus. (Matthew 9:9, Luke 19:1-10)
– Jesus engaged with an adulterous Samaritan woman. (John 4:1-42)
– Peter overcame cultural taboos and entered a Gentile’s home. (Acts 10)
– Philip preached to an Ethiopian eunuch. (Acts 8:26-40)
– Paul argued that Gentile believers did not need to follow Jewish laws. (Galatians 2:11-21)
– Paul collected an offering for poor Jewish Christians. (Romans 15:25-27)
– James denounced favoritism toward the rich within the church. (James 2:1-13)
As Christianity spread, cultural and ethnic barriers were broken down again and again by followers of Christ. They modeled what it means to value all people equally.
Modern Applications for the Church
The biblical principles and examples above offer guidance for churches today seeking to combat prejudice:
– Preach against racism and privilege from the pulpit. Use Scripture passages.
– Facilitate open conversations about prejudice within the congregation.
– Intentionally pursue diversity within church leadership.
– Welcome minorities into small groups, classes, and events. Make them feel valued.
– Educate church members on issues like implicit bias and microaggressions.
– Partner with churches or organizations led by minorities.
– Advocate for vulnerable groups like immigrants or refugees.
– Discipline those who promote prejudice, hatred, or discrimination.
Ultimately, every church must examine its own culture. The vision must be complete incorporation of those from every nation, tribe, people and language in worship of Christ. (Revelation 7:9)
Just as society tends toward prejudice, churches can gravitate toward homogeneity. Leaders must intentionally cultivate diversity and inclusion. This brings glory to God, reveals His heart for humanity, and testifies of His reconciling work on the cross.
The Bible makes God’s stance on prejudice clear. Will we repent of prejudice and walk in the redeeming love of Christ?
Bible Verses on God’s Impartiality
Here are some additional Bible verses emphasizing that God does not show favoritism or prejudice:
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17)
“For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:11)
“God shows no partiality.” (Galatians 2:6)
“And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.” (Ephesians 6:9)
“God does not show favoritism.” (Colossians 3:25)
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (James 2:1)
“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds…” (1 Peter 1:17)
God values all people equally, and His followers must reflect His heart. There is no room for prejudice, discrimination, or favoritism in the kingdom of God.
Old Testament Laws Promoting Justice
Along with prohibiting prejudice and unfair treatment, the Mosaic Law mandated justice and provision for vulnerable groups:
– Leave grain in fields for the poor and foreigner to glean – Leviticus 19:9-10
– Pay laborers their wages promptly – Deuteronomy 24:14-15
– Provide food for enemies’ oxen – Exodus 23:4-5
– Release debts for the poor every seven years – Deuteronomy 15:1-2
– Do not charge the poor interest on loans – Leviticus 25:35-38
– Judges must be impartial – Leviticus 19:15
– Standard weights and measures for fairness – Leviticus 19:35-36
The laws sought to prevent poverty and disadvantage from becoming an endless cycle. God cares deeply for justice, especially toward the weak.
New Testament Vision of Ethnic Diversity
The apostle John was given a vision of worshippers from every nation praising Christ together:
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’…And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy…because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” (Revelation 7:9-10, 14:3-5)
This beautiful picture shows that God welcomes diversity within His family. The church should seek to reflect this “new song” of worshippers from every background united in Christ.