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Genesis 12:3 – Racism and the Abrahamic Promise
From the beginning Israel/Jews understood Gentiles were part of the Abrahamic promise. Yahweh said “all nations” would be blessed through Abraham, not just Israel (Gen.12:3). What Jews did not understand is Gentiles could be saved without the Law (Acts 15:1). Ruth became an Israelite because Naomi’s people and God became Ruth’s. In other words, Jews said “You can become part of us if you become like us.” There was nothing racial or genetic in being a “Jew” in this sense; it was religiously cultural and one could become a “son of Abraham” through religious adoption.
Most of “racism” today is not inherently racial or genetic; it is cultural. There are good, bad, and neutral aspects to every racial culture. A “White” in a small town is culturally different than a “White” in a metropolis. All Hispanics are not the same; just look at how Cuban food is different from Mexican. Don’t confuse race with culture.
Paul said he became “all things to all men” (1 Cor.9:19-23) in preaching the gospel. He adopted the cultures of others. When we “Whites” want other races to join us, who are culturally different than us, do we expect them to become like us? Or, are we willing to be a blessing through The Seed of Abraham by becoming like them? Trying to make “Whites” out of other cultures is the same sin as trying to make a Gentile into a Jew.
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