The whole question of racism and inequality in today’s America doesn’t animate me much. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t.
The whole question of who is racist and who isn’t is a quandary with no end and I don’t think there is any person, alive or dead, that is completely clear of judgment and prejudice against others because of some aspect of their person or cultural background.
Really, the only way out of our petty grievances against others for their skin color, background, and culture is to try to transcend the whole matter.
In Bearded Gospel Men: The Epic Quest for Manliness and Godliness, Jared Brock provides a profile of Frederick Douglass that emphasizes, to me, that Christian faith is really the antidote to the virulent scourge of racism in our world.
No, I didn’t really want to delve into this chapter because most works in this area, to me, are lopsided and subject to personal animus, grievance, and perspective–no matter who is making what point.
But I enjoyed Frederick Douglass’ perspective and how his faith was interwoven into his works and life.
Douglass describes how he first came to Christ in Life and Times of Frederick Douglass:
“I cannot say that I had a very distinct notion of what was required of me, but one thing I did know well: I was wretched and had no means of making myself otherwise. I consulted a good old colored man named Charles Lawson, and in tones of holy affection he told me to pray, and to 'cast all my care upon God.' This I sought to do; and though for weeks I was a poor, broken-hearted mourner, traveling through doubts and fears, I finally found my burden lightened, and my heart relieved. I loved all mankind, slaveholders not excepted, though I abhorred slavery more than ever. I saw the world in a new light, and my great concern was to have everybody converted. My desire to learn increased, and especially, did I want a thorough acquaintance with the contents of the Bible."
There is more magnanimity for others in that paragraph than I’ve probably felt for people, not my race, in my entire life.
And Douglass, as a slave, felt ACTUAL racism.
Like Jesus with the Pharisees, Douglass, after buying his freedom, was unafraid to pillory the leaders of his society, for their outward righteousness that masked their inner corruption.
Luke 11:39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
And Douglass absolutely ROASTED the hypocrisy of slave-holding, Christian America:
From the Narrative of the LIfe of Frederick Douglass, he writes:
"Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. To be the friend of the one, is of necessity to be the enemy of the other. I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels."
He’s not wrong.
Slaveholding America put on a good show of washing the cups and dinner plates before dining, but the wickedness and evil of slavery was the law of the land and that would never come clean.
Jesus felt the same way about the Pharisees of His day.
In Renovation Of The Heart, Dallas Willard notes that Jesus didn’t pull any punches:
“Jesus addressed leaders of His day in language that may seem harsh and pitiless to us, but that was the only possible way He could be of help to them, strongly self-defended as they were; and perhaps the same is true of us as well.”
It’s 2025–does any of this matter?
Yes, because there will always be race, class, and cultural differences, BUT, no, it doesn’t really matter if you place yourself in the service of others, no matter who they are or what they look like.
Spot the hypocrisy of who you are and what you believe and let Jesus lead you to His way–not the way that those with animus for others–no matter what color and culture–want you to follow.
Like Douglass said, “One and God make a majority.” 🙂
Lord, forgive us when we prioritize outward appearances over inner-righteousness. Grant us the courage to confront our shortcomings and the grace to pursue holiness.
Lord, guide us to live transparently before You, aligning our hearts with Your will.
Amen.