Acts 6:5-6 details the Apostles empowering the people to choose qualified leaders among them. When the congregation presented their list, the elders appointed seven Hellenist men to help distribute the rations fairly among the Hebrew and Hellenist widows. Included in this group were Stephen and Philip who would go on to expand the global Church (cf. Acts 6:8-8:4; 8:5-40). The elder’s approval of the names on the list was not tokenism rather, a legitimate installment of capable leaders who wouldn’t be micromanaged by the elders. When the church removed partiality, it resulted in the establishing of a reputation that reflected God’s love, compassion, and concern for the needy. Acts 6:7 records, “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
In Galatians 2:11-21 Paul opposed Peter to his face regarding his ethnically motivated actions of partiality and Peter, the Apostle stood condemned. Peter’s actions not only contradicted the actions of Jesus, who openly and publicly engaged in a meaningful conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and chose to eat with sinners (Luke 15:2). Peter’s actions were also out of step with the very gospel he preached. Galatians 2:14 recognizes Paul’s confrontation was public because Peter’s actions were public. Paul demonstrated what Christian leaders should model when behavior patterns from other leaders are toxic due to practicing of partiality. Constable says,“Peter and Paul both acknowledged the equality of Jews and Gentiles in the church (cf. Acts 11:17). However, it evidently took Peter longer to see the practical implications of this truth, and to apply them to his own conduct.”[6]
Mclelland adds, “clearly Peter gave in to the ethnic bias of the arriving Jewish contingent. It is doubtful that he actually changed his theological view as to the status of Gentiles before God. Obviously, he had not fully thought through how his theology had to adjust his relations with all persons, in spite of the continued bias of some. Peter, it seems, was not alone in this problem of integrating faith with living, since even Barnabas followed his example, as well as other Jews present.”[7]
Make no mistake, there have been, and still are instances in Church leadership where genuine believers, may sense they are grounded theologically yet, apply ungodly practices that contradict not only what they profess to believe, but more pressing, the very commands of God’s word. In such instances, confession, repentance, and the fruits of repentance must become the focus, as was with Peter, who remind you, was an Apostle.
These two examples provide sound preventative measures of CRT’s claim from being implemented in local churches. Compassion, equity, and repentance can be embodied by God’s beloved community and when these attributes are seen, it provides a strong kingdom witness to the watching world.
Read the Complete Critical Race Theory Series
Part 1: Framing Critical Race Theory
Part 2: What Is CRT and Should We Be Concerned?
Part 3: Cautions Regarding Critical Race Theory
Part 4: Cautions Regarding Critical Race Theory II
Part 5: A Missiological Assessment of Critical Race Theory
Part 6: A Missiological Assessment of Critical Race Theory II
Part 7. A Missiological Assessment of Critical Race Theory III
Part 8: A Missiological Assessment of Critical Race Theory IV
Part 9: Sociological Theory and Precursors to Approaching Critical Race Theory
Part 10: Critical Theory and Precursors to Approaching Critical Race Theory
Part 11: Social Justice, Critical Race Theory, Marxism, and Biblical Ethics
End Notes
[1] The Nation of Gods and Earths identifies those of Latino as “brown” which is one of the 16 shades of Black that every Original Man, Woman, and Child embody to bear witness as being God Allah in the flesh. Universal Shaamgaud Allah, “The Universal Flag”, https://ngeinla.weebly.com/the-universal-flag-by-universal-shaamgaud-allah.html
[2] “The Truth About Mexicans”, https://israelunite.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/THE_TRUTH_ABOUT_MEXICANS-ENGLISH.pdf
[3] Drew Ali, The Circle Seven Koran, Chapter 45:7; 47:7.