My redefinition of race, ethnicity and value (sorry Webster).

REV rather than CRT

I submit that there is one “race”, the human race (Acts 17:26,27). It is not a man-made social construct but one of God’s Creation. Within that Creation are many ethnicities representing different phenotypic (physical) characteristics and cultures. Man, male and female (Genesis 1:27), throughout “fallen” history, and in rebellion to God, has assigned varying levels of a hierarchy of value to these ethnic differences resulting in ungodly prejudice. None of these differences are innately superior or inferior relative to comparison or value. 

I submit that the problem in our American culture, and indeed the world, is not “racism”, but “valuism” (my word). It is the “valuism-ist” who refuses to see that man, male and female, created in the image of God is to be valued equally, regardless of ethnic (physical/cultural) differences. I submit that the valuism-ist will always treat others with subordination, regardless of culture, ethnicity, skin color, or societal position. 

I submit that man is not an unwilling slave to valuism but a willing participant-driven by, again, the fallen, rebellious characteristics of self-righteousness, self-centeredness, and greed. I submit that neither culture nor nationality forces man to be a valuism-ist. Personal agency, personal responsibility, and our ability to act upon and within our personal value system cannot be taken away by nations or man. 

Our character relating to personal agency may be revealed by others, but our ability to accept personal responsibility for our actions cannot be removed. Godly values are written on the hearts of all men, and revealed in ancient writings (Bible, Romans 2: 12-16); therefore man has a choice to follow Godly values, or fallen man values (James 1:13-15).

I submit that God is, and is not, “color-blind”. Does God see our skin color? Yes! Does God value one skin color above another? No! Does God see and value individual differences and industriousness expressed through talents, abilities, ethnicities, and gifts? Yes! 

Does God create a hierarchy of value based upon these differences? No! 

Does “skin-color-blindness” cause me to be blind to injustice? No! 

Does skin color-blindness prevent me from seeing a person as a beloved creation of God bearing His image? No! God created diversity within His Creation…” and it was good” (Genesis 1) It is fallen man, and fallen angels that turn God’s morally steadfast objectivity into self-centered subjectivism.

I submit that a person expressing their God-given gifts and talents does not “automatically” marginalize, oppress, suppress or enslave another person. Is merit resulting from hard work and industriousness bad? No! Should I feel bad about winning, or accomplishing, or being able to do something better than others? No…unless these becomes my obsession…my god.

In the words of the poem, Desiderata (things desired): “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater or lessor persons than yourself.” See 1 Corinthians 12 and 13, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139, Job 8, 2 Chronicles 2:13-14.

I submit that our life experiences, subject to God’s sovereignty, are meant to turn us toward Him, not turn us away from Him or one another. Only the valuism-ist will refuse to see God molding, shaping, forming him or her, through their experiences, to do His work, be his hands and feet, and fulfill their reason for being. The person will only see oppression and enslavement. The valuism-ist’s focus is on self rather than on God and others. See Paul’s story in 2 Cor. 11,12.

In the words of Solomon, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14

Today…be blessed, be encouraged.

Mike