Racism is A Forgivable Sin

The Bible teaches us that all sins except those against the Holy Spirit are forgivable.  As Matthew 12:31 says, “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”

This fact might come as a surprise given the social climate we are in, which endorses the idea that racism is the “unpardonable” sin.

Reading black liberationist theologians like James Cone, one could easily be deceived into believing that the metric against which God Himself is measured is that of racism. As one of his mentees quoted Cone as saying, “If God is white, kill God.”  This kind of explosive, exaggeratory language is just not true.  Whether he meant to or not, Cone set up racism as the ultimate abomination.  He was wrong.

All sins are forgivable.  Even as statues deemed “racist” are toppled around the world, activists remain unsatisfied, demanding yet more erasure of historical figures who dared to partake of the common morality of their time.  Out goes any accomplishment or significance if the person who did it is deemed a racist.

A recent news article was titled “Black America should stop forgiving white racists.”  Headlines like this one that appeared in the Washington Post merely fan the flames of this unrelenting quest for “cleansing.”

As one pastor wrote for United We Pray, “Sometimes believing that racism is unforgivable can enable the belief that racism is unconfessable.  But the gospel offers real justice and mercy for sins committed by and against image bearers, and it offers real peace and forgiveness achieved between God and one another.  Racism isn’t the unpardonable sin, so let’s forgive and confess.”  If racism is unforgivable, it leaves us trapped in the past with no way forward, a moving target that will never be reached.

This advice aligns with the Gospel of Luke’s statement in 17:3, which outlines the proper result of repentance from sin, “So watch yourselves.  ‘If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.’”

This is not an idle theological discussion.  Whether or not racism is forgivable has massive implications for the well-being of the United States and its citizens.

If Christians do not stand up to the notion that racism is unforgivable, battle lines will be drawn and all hope of reconciliation will be lost in the name of misguided fanaticism.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel