Why These Events Contradict God’s Plan for Creation and Human Brotherhood
One Blood, One Family: God’s Vision for Humanity
The Bible teaches that God created all people from “one blood,” meaning that no matter how different we may look or where we come from, we are all part of the same human family. This idea—rooted in passages like Genesis 1 and echoed in Malachi 2:10—underscores that our diversity in skin color, language, or customs does not make one group superior to another. Instead, we are meant to treat each other as equals, as brothers and sisters, because we share a common origin and purpose.
God’s design was for every nation and people to live peacefully in the lands He set for them, cultivating the earth and developing their unique cultures. There was never a divine mandate for one group to invade, conquer, or enslave another. Wars of conquest and systems of oppression go against the very heart of God’s plan for creation. They disrupt the boundaries and harmony He intended for the human race, replacing cooperation and respect with violence and domination.
Contradicting God’s Plan: A Look at Three Major Historical Wrongs
The Conquest of America: Displacement and Destruction
When European explorers arrived in the Americas, they didn’t just meet new peoples—they forcibly took their lands, destroyed their ways of life, and brought diseases that decimated entire populations. Native communities, who had lived and thrived on these lands for generations, were violently uprooted. Their cultures, languages, and spiritual beliefs were often erased or replaced. This was not the peaceful co-existence God intended, but a tragic episode of suffering and loss.
The Scramble for Africa: Division and Exploitation
Years later, European powers divided up Africa with little regard for the people living there. Communities were broken apart, traditional leadership was undermined, and Africans were forced into labor to enrich foreign powers. New borders drawn by outsiders split families and tribes, leading to conflicts that persist even today. This division and exploitation trampled on the dignity and rights of countless people, directly opposing the equality and respect God wanted for all His children.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Generations of Trauma
Perhaps most painfully, millions of Africans were captured, uprooted from their homes, and sold into slavery across the Americas and beyond. Families were ripped apart, and entire societies destabilized. The legacy of this brutal system—marked by violence, racism, and the destruction of culture—still haunts the descendants of enslaved people today. The wealth gained by the oppressors came at an immeasurable human cost, leaving deep wounds that have yet to fully heal.
The Lasting Impact: Why This Matters Today
The wrongs of conquest, colonization, and slavery did not end when the conquerors left or when slavery was abolished. The destruction of communities, loss of lands, and enforced poverty continue to shape the lives of Indigenous and African-descended peoples. Many still struggle with poverty, broken traditions, and ongoing discrimination. The scars of these events are not just historical—they are a living legacy that affects families and communities every day.
Our Responsibility: Healing and Justice
Understanding this painful history is more than just learning facts—it’s about recognizing the suffering caused by ignoring God’s vision for equality and brotherhood. If we truly believe we are made of one blood and called to be neighbors, we must listen to the stories of those who have been harmed and support efforts to repair the damage. This means educating ourselves about the true impacts of colonization and slavery, supporting movements for reparations and cultural revival, and standing up for justice and equality.
· Listen to the stories of Indigenous and African-descended communities.
· Educate ourselves and others about the impacts of colonialism and slavery.
· Support efforts for reparations, cultural restoration, and institutional change.
· Recognize that history is not just in the past—its effects continue today.
Moving Forward Together
Only by facing these truths and reflecting honestly on our shared history can we hope to turn pain into healing. God’s plan was never for any group to dominate or oppress another, but for all people to live with dignity, respect, and love. By acknowledging the sins of conquest, colonization, and slavery, and by working together for restoration and justice, we can help fulfill God’s vision for a world where every person is valued and every community can thrive.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking guidance and strength as we journey toward healing and justice. Grant us the courage to face the truth of our shared history and the compassion to listen deeply to those still hurting from the wounds of the past. Inspire us to act with love, to uplift every voice, and to work together so that dignity, respect, and peace may flourish in every community. May Your vision of unity and reconciliation guide our steps, now and always. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 