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1/ Let’s get 100% clear here. When it comes to explaining vast society-wide racial disparities in American society, there have always been 3 groups present, since the very time that “race” itself was constructed. We will simply call them Group 1, 2, and 3 to avoid trigger words.
2/ Group 1: Biologically, this group believes in polygenesis, the idea that “races” had no common ancestors. They were either separate creations or evolved separately. On this view, races were sub-species at best, if not different species altogether.
3/ Some were more “advanced” than others or had greater or less biologically driven properties. In short, biologically equality was simply denied. “Biblically,” this group included those above and/or those who believe things like the “Curse of Ham” narrative.
4/ God cursed Ham to perpetual servitude under Shem. White people are descendants of the latter (or Japheth dwelling in Shem's tents), Black the descendants of the former. In either case, the distinctive of Group 1 is fixed and perpetual natural or God ordained hierarchy.
5/ These men often warned against hating Blacks—this was simply unchristian and immoral. They also condemned prejudice as contrary to God’s commands. In fact, those in Group 1 following the advent of the term “racist” had and continue to condemn “racism.”
6/ They are simply, in their minds, recognizing God ordained reality and doing the best for both parties. Disparities exist by nature and/or by God’s will.
7/ Group 2: Biologically, this group believes in monogenesis—all races share the same common ancestry. In principle, all “races” are alike human. There is, in principle, biological equality. But the “races” exist because of external factors, the most popular of the past being ...
8/ ... centuries of environmental differences, such as climate and diet and such. This caused the degeneration of whole groups of people. Thus, Blacks were a degenerated “race” of men. But this was not a fixed reality.
9/ Over time, Africans could become just as capable, moral, and intelligent as white Europeans. Sure, work and grooming in morals and education was needed. Many even believed that their skin would eventually turn back to the normal human color, white.
10/ “Biblically,” this group, largely in the past, pointed to the divergence following Babel. Men found themselves in all different regions and climates, some conducive to intellectual and behavior development; others not so much. The latter were degenerations from the ideal.
11/ Further, non-Europeans were degenerate in morals and religion. Centuries of this combination made them not un-human, but in need of much work and time to re-establish the ideal.
12/ Notably, even good men of the past saw slavery itself as an environmental factor that led to inferior Black behaviors. Many today—as much of the above is rejected—would point to slavery, poverty, welfare, rampant immorality, inferior culture, etc., all engendered by ...
13/ ... environment, leading to inferior Black condition and behavior; hence society-wide disparities along the “color-line.” (I should also have included emphasizing the "boundaries of their habitations," noted in Acts 17. One blood, yet separated under differing providences.
14/ And within the more Calvinistic strain of Christians, there is always appeal to the overarching sovereignty of God determining each groups histories and lot.)
15/ In short, this Group 2 is marked by biological equality, but conditional and environmental declension; in our day, largely accorded to "culture" and/or hyper-Calvinistic view of sovereignty. Of course, this group has & continues to refer to Group 1 as vile, un-Xian, racists.
16/ Group 3: This group, which has always existed, though in much smaller numbers than the above, believes in biological equality & the idea that “race” itself is biological fiction—or at least of such little notable import that it ought not figure into inter-group explanations.
17/ Further, they believe that there is simply nothing wrong at all with any “race” as a people group, rejecting the idea that there is—by heritage or phenotypical group features—biological, intellectual, or moral hierarchy.
18/ Neither geography, climate, slavery, poverty, culture, or any other environmental factor has led to a people group with inferior gifts, intellect, or morals.
19/ Biblically, this group believes that every human in existence shares the exact same image of God, which includes body, soul, higher faculties, moral conscience, etc. They also believe that the fall of man into sin and corruption does not pollute one group to a greater ...
20/ ... extent than another. As such, if there are society-wide disparities by race, one must look to the inferior opportunities or circumstances of that race in society, rather than to any group-wide inferiority.
21/ I believe Group 3 is by far the most Biblical position of the three. I am willing to defend it day and night, and have ample Biblical, historical, and sociological reason to do so.
22/ I further believe that the authors of the “Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel” have proven themselves to fit comfortably within the modern form of Group 2. I do not say this without evidence; we have seen it all week.
23/ Finally, I see no reason to consider them Biblically, historically, or sociologically credible in this discussion, nor their document of any value for the work of God’s Church.
24/24 Great humility and repentance is in order for the American church today, a church who has advanced the ideas and social relations of Groups 1 and 2 as much, or more, than any other institution in the history of this nation. It is time to be honest and address this.
25/24 And by humility I mean something along the lines of sackcloth and ashes, not docility in the face of evil.
