Understanding the Gap Between Beliefs and Biases
If you look around today, you might notice that sometimes people who call themselves Christians also demonstrate racial prejudice. Maybe it’s a comment in passing, a joke that just doesn’t sit right, or even actions that exclude or demean others based on their skin color or background. To many, this feels confusing—even shocking. How can someone believe in Jesus Christ and still treat others unequally? Let’s talk about why racial prejudice simply doesn’t fit with the Christian faith, especially the kind that claims to follow the teachings of Jesus.
What Does It Mean to Have Faith in Jesus Christ?
First off, let’s break down what Christianity stands for. At the heart of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ—a man who walked the earth over two thousand years ago, teaching love, kindness, and acceptance. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, and that He came to show humanity what God is like: loving, forgiving, and just. Jesus spent His life welcoming those whom society pushed to the margins—the poor, the sick, foreigners, women, and people of all backgrounds. He didn’t judge based on race, culture, or status.
The teachings of Jesus are summed up in two big ideas: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. That second one sounds simple, but it’s huge. “Neighbor” doesn’t mean just the person next door. In Jesus’s famous story, the Good Samaritan, He makes it clear that your neighbor is anyone who needs your help, regardless of where they’re from or what they look like.
What Is Racial Prejudice?
Racial prejudice means making judgments about people or treating them unfairly because of their race or ethnicity. It can be obvious, like refusing to hire someone based on skin color, or it can be more subtle—maybe not inviting someone to an event, making assumptions about their intelligence, or believing stereotypes. No matter how it shows up, racial prejudice creates division, pain, and injustice.
Why Racial Prejudice and Christian Faith Don’t Mix
So, how does this all add up? Christianity, at its core, is about love, equality, and forgiveness. Racial prejudice, on the other hand, is about division, exclusion, and unfair treatment. Let’s look at a few points to see why the two just don’t fit together.
1. Jesus Welcomed All People
Read through the stories in the Bible, and you’ll see Jesus talking to all sorts of folks—Jewish and non-Jewish, rich and poor, men and women. He broke cultural rules to sit with people others avoided. For example, He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, even though Jews and Samaritans at the time didn’t mix (John 4). He healed Roman soldiers’ servants, reached out to tax collectors (who were hated for working with oppressors), and taught crowds that included people from all over (Matt. 8:5-13, Luke 7).
If Jesus Himself welcomed everyone, regardless of their background, how could someone claim to follow Him and act the opposite?
2. All People Are Made in God’s Image
Christian teaching says that every person, no matter their race, is created in the image of God. There’s no “better” race or “lesser” race in God’s eyes. We’re all valuable. To treat someone as less because of their skin color is like saying God made a mistake—or that some people matter more than others. That’s simply not what Christianity teaches (Gen. 1:27).
3. The Early Church Was Diverse
The first Christians came from all sorts of backgrounds. The church started in the Middle East and spread quickly to Africa, Asia, and Europe. In the Book of Acts, you’ll find people of different languages and cultures working together, praying together, and caring for each other. Christianity isn’t a faith for just one group—it’s for everyone.
4. Love Is the Basic Command
If you boil down all the rules and teachings, Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). That means treating others with respect, kindness, and dignity, no matter who they are. Racial prejudice breaks this commandment because it says, “I won’t love you like I love myself. I’ll treat you differently.”
5. Forgiveness and Reconciliation Are Central
Christianity is about forgiving others and seeking reconciliation—making peace and healing broken relationships. Racial prejudice does the opposite: it holds onto grudges, builds walls, and keeps people apart.
Why Do Some Christians Still Show Racial Prejudice?
Let’s be real: just because someone says they’re Christian doesn’t mean they always live up to the teachings. Humans make mistakes, get stuck in old habits, or follow the crowd. Sometimes, people grow up learning biases from family, friends, or society, and don’t stop to question whether those beliefs line up with what Jesus taught.
There’s also something called “cultural Christianity.” This is when someone is Christian in name—they go to church, celebrate Christian holidays—but don’t try to follow the teachings closely in everyday life. It’s easy to fall into the routine and forget the big ideas about love and acceptance.
How Can Christians Do Better?
Recognizing the gap between beliefs and prejudices is the first step. For those who want to really follow Jesus, here are some ways to root out racial prejudice from their hearts and lives:
· Listen and Learn: Take time to hear the stories of people from different racial backgrounds. Notice where there’s hurt or injustice, and try to understand why.
· Challenge Stereotypes: When you catch yourself thinking or saying something based on a stereotype, pause and ask, “Is this really true? Does it line up with what Jesus taught?”
· Speak Up: If you see racial prejudice in action—in school, at work, in your community—say something. Silence can be taken as agreement.
· Connect with Others: Build friendships with people who are different from you. The more you know someone as an individual, the harder it is to believe negative stereotypes.
· Pray and Reflect: Ask God to show you where you might be holding onto prejudice, and to help you see others as He does.
Stories That Show the Difference
Sometimes, the message hits home best through stories. History is full of people who claimed to follow Jesus but acted with prejudice—and also those who broke the mold.
Take Martin Luther King Jr., a Christian pastor who led the American civil rights movement. He believed deeply that racial prejudice was wrong—not just as a matter of law, but as a matter of faith. He pointed to Jesus’s teachings to show that love and equality were non-negotiable.
On the other hand, some organizations in history used Christianity as a reason to exclude or mistreat others. Looking at these examples, it’s clear that actions and beliefs can be worlds apart.
It’s About Integrity
In the end, being a Christian isn’t just about claiming the label. It’s about living out the teachings of Jesus day by day, even when it’s hard. Racial prejudice is a stumbling block—a sign that something isn’t matching up. When Christians choose love, acceptance, and justice, they show what faith in Jesus is really about. When they choose prejudice, they miss the point.
Conclusion
Racial prejudice isn’t just socially harmful; it’s spiritually inconsistent with the heart of Christianity. If you say you follow Jesus, then you’re called to love your neighbor, welcome the stranger, and treat everyone with dignity. This isn’t optional—it’s the main point.
For anyone struggling with this topic, remember: faith in Jesus is about transforming hearts, challenging long-held biases, and building a community where everyone belongs. The journey isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Every step away from prejudice is a step closer to living out the true message of Christianity.
If you truly believe in Jesus, let your life reflect that—by standing against racism and choosing love, every single day.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 