Is God Racist?

Albert Einstein said, “What a sad era when it is easier to smash an atom than a prejudice.” Pretending racism is not a problem does not make it go away, but neither does making it out to be unsolvable. Instead of wasting time arguing to what degree it plagues us or offering platitudes like, “Listen more,” we should seek God’s answers. But some look at the God of the Bible and see Him as racist. Is God racist?

God does not condone racism. When Paul preached to the Epicureans and Stoics on Mars’ Hill he defended the “unknown God” as the Creator of all. By inspiration, the apostle claimed that God made all of mankind “of one blood” (Acts 17:26). He is our Father and we are His offspring (Acts 17:28). Can we claim that we are our brother’s keeper if we hate our brother (Genesis 4:9)? John warns that if we hate our brother we are in darkness and cannot love God (1 John 2:9; 4:20). The precious blood of Jesus that provides God’s salvation is offered to all (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 11:17-18; Titus 2:11). If our great God has shown love to all, how can we then restrict our love to some?

God has never condoned racism. From time to time you will hear concern about some of the events recorded in the Old Testament. Because a large portion of the Old Testament is written in the historical narrative you find the events that did happen, not necessarily the ones that should have happened. However, God did command His people to destroy the Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 20:17). Was God a xenophobe who wanted the Israelites to hate others? We should start from the premise that whatever God does is right. Abraham asked, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). Once proper interpretation of a passage of scripture has occurred, showing if a recorded event is something God did or merely allowed, we can then move forward with a better understanding. 

Next, we should consider that God, as Judge, has the right to punish sin. Nahum 1:3 records, “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” On a national level, the opportunity for repentance had come to an end for the Canaanites and God had judged them worthy of destruction. But many forget that on an individual level this was not the case. By faith, Rahab saved herself and her household and others could have followed suit (Hebrews 11:31). 

Finally, we should not make bad assumptions about the destruction of the Canaanites or any other instances where nations have faced God’s wrath. God did not delight in this destruction nor did He show partiality (Ezekiel 33:11; Romans 2:11). God granted opportunities for repentance as with Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). He patiently waited for the Amorites to turn around for 400 years (Genesis 15:16). Unfortunately, mankind is quick to question God while failing to question man. Why did the fearful inhabitants of Jericho not repent while the Israelites marched around their city for seven days (Joshua 2:9-11; 6:8-17)? Why did Nineveh fail to learn from their past (Nahum 1:1-2)? God’s punishment is unrelated to where you were born, but to your behavior. 

God will punish or forgive racism. At its core racism is hate and hate is sin. Not only does God refuse to condone it but He will not allow a racist to enter into that good reward. Those who refuse to love their neighbor as themselves are rebelling against Christ (Matthew 22:37-40). But racism is a sin that can be covered by the blood of Christ and overcome through being transformed into His image. 

The answer to the works of the flesh, including hate, is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control (Galatians 5:19-23). If I will work on myself through the power of God I can put away suspicious thoughts, shun divisive behaviors, dispel ignorance, and begin to love those who are different from me. The beauty of living biblically is that the fruit of the Spirit solves racism and much more.