Race dominates nearly every conversation today. From identity politics to corporate boardrooms, racial identity has become the primary lens through which people view the world. But when the Church adopts these ideologies, allowing earthly identities to take precedence over unity in Christ, it signals a severe distortion of biblical truth.
How did we get here? How did we move from the biblical concept of one human race, made in the image of God, to a world where race divides, dominates, and distorts everything—even within the Church? The answer lies in the rise of modern ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Cultural Marxism, which have infiltrated not just secular culture, but the pews of evangelical churches. These ideologies shift the focus from the gospel of salvation to the false gospel of division and oppression based on skin color.
This article explores how modern racial ideologies, influenced by Critical Race Theory and cultural Marxism, distort biblical truth and divide the Church by prioritizing race and identity over our shared unity in Christ.
Biblical Understanding of Race and Ethnicity
Scripture consistently points to the oneness of humanity. Genesis 1:27 establishes that every human being is made in the image of God, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Our understanding of humanity is based on this truth: God created every person, regardless of ethnicity, with inherent dignity and worth because they bear His image.
In Acts 17:26, scripture declares that a common origin unites all nations and peoples: “And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Here, Paul affirms not only humanity’s shared origin through Adam but also God’s sovereign hand over the distribution and diversity of nations and ethnic groups. Ethnic diversity is a reflection of God’s creative genius, not a cause for division.
The notion of racial division is a distortion of this biblical truth. Galatians 3:28 further emphasizes that in Christ, earthly distinctions—whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female—are secondary to our identity as members of one body. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In Christ, all the barriers that separate humanity, including those of ethnicity and status, are broken down.
As believers, we must hold fast to this biblical framework. The hyper-focus on racial identity today runs counter to the unity that Christ established for His Church.
The History of Race as a Social Construct
The concept of race as a biological distinction is a relatively recent development, largely fueled by pseudo-scientific ideologies. Prior to the 18th century, distinctions between peoples were based on culture, language, and nationality, not skin color. The Bible itself references people groups like Egyptians, Cushites, and Jews, all of whom are part of the same human race, but differ by ethnicity.
The Enlightenment brought about a shift in thinking. Thinkers like Carl Linnaeus and Johann Friedrich Blumenbach began classifying human beings into distinct races based on physical characteristics, such as skin color. These racial classifications gave rise to the notion of racial hierarchies, with whites at the top and non-whites deemed inferior. These ideas fueled centuries of oppression and exploitation, particularly in the context of slavery and colonialism.
Before the development of these racial constructs, the Church stood as a force for unity, affirming the inherent dignity of every individual made in God’s image. For example, early Christian leaders condemned slavery, emphasizing that all people, regardless of ethnicity, were equal in Christ.
In the American South, however, as the institution of slavery took hold, racial hierarchies became more pronounced. Proponents of slavery twisted Scripture to justify the subjugation of Africans, misinterpreting passages like the “Curse of Ham” to assert that certain ethnicities were destined for servitude. But these claims are a distortion of the biblical narrative, as the “Curse of Ham” refers to Noah’s curse on Canaan, not on any specific race of people.
When grounded in Scripture, the Church has always opposed such distortions. Christian abolitionists, inspired by the truth of God’s Word, led the charge against slavery. Figures like William Wilberforce in Britain and Harriet Beecher Stowe in America used their faith to challenge the societal norms of their time.
The Darwinian Shift: The Pseudoscience of Race
In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, providing a framework for the belief that human races evolved at different rates, thus justifying the superiority of one race over another. Those seeking a scientific basis for their belief in white supremacy weaponized Darwin’s theory of natural selection. His work gave legitimacy to the pseudo-science of craniometry, pioneered by Samuel Morton, who claimed that skull size could measure intelligence, placing whites at the top of the hierarchy.
This pseudo-scientific approach infiltrated both secular and Christian circles, deeply impacting societal views on race. Today, remnants of this thinking persist in how people conceptualize race, dividing humanity into arbitrary categories based on superficial traits like skin color.
How Critical Race Theory and Marxism Infiltrated the Church
While scientific categorization of race was underway, Marxism introduced another divisive ideology. Karl Marx presented a worldview that divided society into oppressors and oppressed, based on economic class. Over time, this framework evolved into Cultural Marxism, which applies the same oppressor-oppressed narrative to issues of race, gender, and identity.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) adopts this framework, viewing society through the lens of racial power dynamics. Systemic racism permeates every aspect of society, according to CRT, with white people inherently privileged and people of color oppressed. This ideology shifts the focus away from individual responsibility and reconciliation in Christ, replacing it with a narrative of perpetual division and grievance.
Tragically, many churches have adopted CRT language, incorporating terms like “white privilege,” “systemic oppression,” and “racial equity” into their teaching. While these churches may seek to engage with the culture and promote justice, they risk distorting the gospel. True justice is found in the person of Jesus Christ, not in the ideologies of the world.
Paul’s Example: Confronting False Teachings
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul offers us a powerful example of how to confront false teachings. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul writes:
“The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Just as Paul confronted those who distorted the gospel in his day, we too must stand firm against the false teachings of Critical Race Theory and Cultural Marxism. These ideologies are not just cultural trends—they are spiritual strongholds that oppose the gospel. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Only the Word of God is powerful enough to tear down these strongholds.
Throughout history, the Church has been at the forefront of movements for justice. From the abolition of slavery to the Civil Rights Movement, Christians have fought for the dignity and equality of all people, grounded in the belief that every person is made in the image of God.
The Church’s legacy proves that justice flows from a biblical understanding of humanity. To address racial issues, we don’t need worldly frameworks like CRT. We need only return to Scripture, which offers a clear vision of justice, unity, and human dignity.
Conclusion: The Sufficient Word
The gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient to address the divisions of our time. Where modern ideologies like Critical Race Theory and Cultural Marxism seek to divide us based on race and identity, the gospel unites us under one Savior. As Phillis Wheatley’s life and testimony remind us, we find true freedom in Christ, not in earthly systems of justice or oppression.
Phillis Wheatley, one of the earliest black American poets, refuted these notions through her life and work. Although enslaved, Wheatley’s profound faith in Christ allowed her to see beyond her earthly bondage. Her writing, particularly in “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” declares that salvation is available to all, regardless of race:
“’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Savior too.”
Wheatley’s testimony reminds us that in Christ, earthly distinctions are insignificant compared to the transformative power of the gospel.
The Church must reject the false teachings of race-based ideologies and hold fast to the unshakable truth of God’s Word. As Paul demonstrated, we must take every thought captive to Christ, stand firm in the gospel, and proclaim the unity we have in Him.
There is one race—the human race—united under one Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us stand firm against the false ideologies of our day and proclaim the gospel of reconciliation, redemption, and unity.
