To those who call Faith Church home –
Over the last number of days our country has again been confronted with the issues of racism, discrimination and white supremacy, thrust to the forefront following the events in Charlottesville, Virginia. For some within Faith Church, you face these struggles every day. Others only think about these issues when there’s an event gaining a mass media spotlight. Finally, some may even be wondering what we are referring to. (Here is a summary from the New York Times: (Note: two swear words are bleeped during the video.)
It pains us even to be in a place where we need to speak into this event and the issues surrounding it. However, we recognize that remaining silent is not an option. There needs to be a clear call to the people of Faith Church, and Christians everywhere. Under no circumstances is it appropriate to think, believe, say, or act in a manner which conveys in any way that one race is superior over another.
Tim Keller beautifully laid out the biblical case against racism in a recent article on the Gospel Coalition website. (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/race-the-gospel-and-the-moment)
This is a time to present the Bible’s strong and clear teachings about the sin of racism and of the idolatry of blood and country—again, full stop. In Acts 17:26, in the midst of an evangelistic lecture to secular, pagan philosophers, Paul makes the case that God created all the races “from one man.” Paul’s Greek listeners saw other races as barbarian. But against such views of racial superiority, Paul makes the case that all races have the same Creator and are of one stock. Since all are made in God’s image, every human life is of infinite and equal value (Gen. 9:5–6). When Jonah puts the national interests of Israel ahead of the spiritual good of the racially “other” pagan city of Nineveh, he is roundly condemned by God (Jonah 4:1–11). One main effect of the Gospel is to shatter the racial barriers that separate people (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14–18), so it is an egregious sin to do anything to support those barriers. When Peter sought to do so, Paul reprimanded him for losing his grasp on the Gospel (Gal. 2:14).
It is our hope that people of Faith would be living examples of reconciliation and restoration in our world – that we would give voice against even a murmur or joke that hints of racism. Pray for the strength to speak up for the betterment of our culture and the glory of our God!
Please pause and pray. Please speak up where you can. Please join us in this effort.
Sincerely,
The Pastors of Faith Church –
Bob Bouwer
Brian Dennert
Ben Kampmeier
Andy Nearpass
Rich Bawinkel
Dave Weemhoff
Brad Haitsma
Charlie Contreras
Jason DeVries
Nathan Prairie
Aaron Klein
