Why do many white supremacists claim to be Christians?
Introduction
The Bible has a lot to say about racism, equality, and justice. Unfortunately, throughout history, some groups have tried to twist Scripture to justify racist ideologies like white supremacy. This article will examine what the Bible really teaches about these topics and why white supremacist views are incompatible with biblical Christianity.
What is White Supremacy?
White supremacy is the belief that the white race is inherently superior to other races and deserves to dominate them. White supremacists advocate for the preservation and protection of a white European cultural and national heritage.
Some key aspects of white supremacist ideology include:
– A belief in the biological or cultural superiority of people of European descent.
– Promoting the interests, history and values of white Europeans above others.
– A desire to maintain the demographic majority of white people in Western nations through restrictive immigration policies and anti-diversity initiatives.
– Antagonism and hostility toward non-white groups, including racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and hatred.
– A belief that multiculturalism and diversity erode supposedly white culture.
– The claim that white people are victims of widescale discrimination and genocide.
Some white supremacists groups also blend racial hatred with extremist pseudo-Christian teachings. So why do certain white supremacists try to use Christianity to justify their abhorrent beliefs?
Reasons Why Some White Supremacists Claim to be Christian
There are several potential reasons why certain white supremacist individuals and groups claim to be Christian:
1. Cultural and Historical Connection to Christianity
For much of American history, Christianity was the dominant religion among white Europeans who settled North America. Some white supremacists see Christianity as inherently connected with European culture and values. Though misguided, they believe Christianity is the natural religion of white people.
2. Misinterpretation and Distortion of Scripture
Some white supremacists twist Bible verses and take them out of context to try to justify racist attitudes. For example, some have misinterpreted the curse of Ham in Genesis 9 or Old Testament passages about the Israelites driving out the Canaanites to justify segregation or even slavery. They ignore the Bible’s clear teaching that all humans are created equal in God’s image.
3. Desire for Religious Legitimacy
By claiming Christianity, white supremacists can try to make their racist ideologies seem legitimate to mainstream society and Christians. But their views are completely opposed to biblical values.
4. Recruitment of Christians
White supremacists may claim to be Christian to attract new followers. Christians should be wary of any attempts to fuse racism with the gospel, or to twist Scripture to support white supremacy. The Bible strongly condemns this.
5. Perceived Historical Link to the Crusades
Some white supremacists want to revive misguided notions that the Crusades were a racial holy war of Christianity against non-whites. In fact, the Crusades were complex religious conflicts over control of the Holy Land.
6. Anti-Semitism
Tragically, some Christians throughout history held anti-Semitic views, including leaders of the German Protestant churches during the Nazi era. Some modern white supremacists continue this toxic legacy of anti-Jewish racism that is completely unbiblical.
Why White Supremacy is Unbiblical and Unchristian
White supremacy fundamentally contradicts the Bible’s teaching that all humans are made in God’s image and united in Christ. The core beliefs of white supremacy cannot be reconciled with Christianity. Consider the following biblically-based arguments:
1. The Bible Affirms Human Equality
– The Bible teaches that all humans are created equal in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Our primary identity is in Christ, not race or ethnicity (Galatians 3:28).
– God shows no partiality based on externals like race – He judges the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
– The Bible condemns favoritism and mistreating people due to race or ethnicity (James 2:9).
2. Jesus Condemned Racial Prejudice and Hatred
– When a Samaritan village rejected Christ, James and John asked if they should call down fire to destroy it. But Jesus rebuked them for their prejudiced views (Luke 9:51-55).
– Jesus made a hated Samaritan the hero of one of His parables, challenging racism (Luke 10:25-37).
– The apostle Philip preached the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch, showing God’s inclusive love (Acts 8:26-40).
3. The Bible Encourages Ethnic Diversity in the Church
– At Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit on believers from all nations (Acts 2:1-13).
– The book of Revelation pictures believers in Christ from every tribe and language worshiping God together (Revelation 7:9-10).
– Paul condemned Jewish prejudice against Gentiles in the early church (Galatians 2:11-16). He taught that faith in Christ creates true unity across ethnic lines (Ephesians 2:14-18).
4. Love Fulfills God’s Law, Not Racial Supremacy
– Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Racism fundamentally violates this.
– The Bible condemns hatred, violence, and oppression of others (Exodus 23:9, Jeremiah 22:3, Zechariah 7:9-10).
– Christians are called to live in harmony with one another in Chris, not racial supremacy (1 Peter 3:8, Ephesians 4:1-6).
5. Salvation is for All Races
– In the Great Commission, Jesus sends His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
– God’s promise of salvation through faith is for both Jews and Gentiles, all nations (Romans 1:16, 10:12).
– The book of Revelation pictures people from every nation worshiping the Lamb together (Revelation 7:9).
6. Christians Must Fight Injustice, Not Perpetuate It
– The Bible condemns unjust scales and partiality (Leviticus 19:15, Proverbs 11:1). Followers of Christ should promote justice.
– God hears the cry of the oppressed and defends their cause (Psalm 140:12, Proverbs 22:22-23). Christians must combat racism and hatred against others.
– Christians are forbidden from showing favoritism or bias against groups based on external differences (James 2:1-13).
7. Christians Are Called to be Light in the Darkness
– Jesus calls His followers the light of the world to dispel moral darkness (Matthew 5:14). They must denounce racism.
– The Bible condemns hatred and bigotry as sins of darkness (1 John 2:9,11). Christians must promote biblical truth and rebuke error.
– The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to be witnesses for truth and righteousness (Acts 1:8).
8. Believers Must Not Compromise Gospel Truth
– The Bible warns against perverting the gospel into falsehood (Galatians 1:6-9). Christians must denounce racist ideologies that twist Scripture.
– Jesus rebuked religious leaders who void God’s Word for the sake of their cultural traditions (Matthew 15:1-9). Christians should avoid imposing cultural values that contradict biblical truth.
– The unity Christians seek is found in Christ alone, not race (Ephesians 4:4-6). Any theology promoting racial supremacy is false.
In summary, white supremacy relies on misinterpretation and distortion of God’s Word. It prizes cultural values over Christ. The core ideas of white supremacy cannot be reconciled with the Bible’s teachings about human dignity, equality, justice, and love. Racism has no place in biblical Christianity. Christians must reject this harmful distortion of the faith.
How Should Christians Respond to White Supremacy Claims?
When confronted with white supremacist views, here are some ways Christians can respond:
1. Point to the Bible’s clear teaching about human dignity and equality. We are all made in God’s image.
2. Affirm that racism is sin. Call it what it is – unbiblical, harmful and morally wrong. Christians should lead the way in denouncing racism.
3. Note that the attempt to use Christianity to justify white supremacy is false teaching. The Bible does not support racist ideologies.
4. Expose the ways that white supremacists misuse and distort Scripture. Provide clear explanations of what the Bible actually teaches in proper context about ethnicity and race.
5. Share stories of diversity within the body of Christ. Racially integrated churches demonstrate the power of the gospel.
6. Promote forgiveness, racial reconciliation and unity in Christ. These represent the Bible’s true values, not racial hostility.
7. Pray for white supremacists to repent of racism and come to true faith in Jesus Christ which opens the door to all people equally.
Conclusion
The claim that white supremacy is compatible with Christianity is simply unbiblical and untrue. While tragically some self-professing Christians have promoted racism, the Bible clearly teaches human dignity and equality before God. Christians must unequivocally condemn racism as sin and preach the true gospel of salvation by grace that is open to all people regardless of ethnicity. Jesus calls His followers to be ministers of reconciliation, justice and love across barriers of race and culture. All humans derive identity primarily from being made in God’s image and unity in Christ. The church should exemplify the power of the gospel by modeling racial integration and harmony in Christ.