'Unveiling Bible Prejudice: Overcoming Misconceptions in Christian Faith'

Bible Prejudice

Prejudice is a form of preferential bias that can be either favorable or unfavorable. However, it is most commonly understood as a negative opinion formed without sufficient knowledge or just grounds. Prejudice often targets groups or types of people rather than individuals and is frequently expressed as unreasonable and hostile feelings, opinions, or attitudes towards ethnic, racial, social, or religious groups. Unfortunately, prejudice has been a significant part of religious history, with some individuals even defending acts of prejudice in the name of Christianity.

The Bible addresses the issue of prejudice and provides guidance on how believers should approach it. Throughout human history, there has been a natural tendency to show prejudice towards anyone who is different. During the times when the Old and New Testaments were written, racial, national, and sexual prejudice were prevalent. Women were treated as property, and the enslavement of other nationalities was common. However, God gave Moses the Law for Israel, which included moral and ethical standards that were unheard of in that barbaric era (Deuteronomy 4:8). God wanted His people to be different from the violent and godless nations around them (Leviticus 20:26). Part of that difference involved treating foreigners among them as their own brothers, eliminating prejudice from their ranks (Leviticus 19:34).

Prejudice was rampant among Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans during Jesus' time. Jews despised Samaritans and considered Gentiles unclean. Jesus transcended this prejudice by highlighting the faith of a Gentile man (Matthew 8:10–11) and the kindness of a Samaritan (Luke 10:30–36). The early Jewish converts to Christianity believed that God's salvation belonged solely to them. However, when non-Jews began responding in faith to the gospel, ingrained Jewish prejudice led to discord and controversy within the church (Acts 11:2-3; 15:5).

God revealed to the apostle Peter through a vision that He does not show favoritism and will not tolerate prejudice in His people. As a result, Peter declared, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right" (Acts 10:34–35). The apostle Paul, chosen by God as the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8), explained that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, offers salvation to everyone who trusts in Him. Faith in Christ grafts every believer into God's family, eradicating any foundation for prejudice (Galatians 3:26–29).

Despite this biblical teaching, religious prejudice has persisted throughout history. Acts of violence committed in the name of Christ, such as Protestants killing Catholics or Catholics killing Protestants, are far removed from the Christianity described in the New Testament. Religious prejudice contradicts everything Jesus taught. While Christians may strongly disagree with others in doctrine and lovingly oppose false teaching, they are never to resort to hatred, coercion, or violence (John 18:36).

Jesus' teachings directly combat prejudice. He taught that God causes His sun to rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). Jesus commanded His followers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who mistreat them (Luke 6:27–31). These commands steer believers away from all forms of prejudice.

Love must govern every action taken by Christians (1 Corinthians 16:14), and prejudice is opposed to love. Love sees the image of God in every individual, while prejudice unfairly judges without just cause. First Corinthians 13:4–8 provides a definition of love, and Christians are not the judges of a person's worthiness. First Corinthians 4:5 instructs believers not to pronounce judgment before the time when the Lord will bring to light the hidden things and disclose the purposes of the heart. Prejudice has no place in the heart of a believer in Christ.

The lives of Christians are to be ruled by humility, obedience, and love for God and others (Romans 13:7–9). Prejudice violates all three of these principles. Prejudice stems from pride, as it considers oneself better than others (Philippians 2:3). It directly disobeys Jesus' command to treat others as we would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Moreover, prejudice hinders Christians from fully loving God since it prevents them from loving people created in His image (1 John 4:20–21). Although everyone struggles with some form of prejudice due to their fallen human nature, Christians should recognize it as a sin and seek the Lord's help in changing it (1 John 1:9).

Why This Matters

Prejudice is a prevalent issue that can have damaging effects on individuals and society as a whole. As Christians, we are called to love one another and treat every person with respect and dignity. Understanding what the Bible says about prejudice helps us confront this issue within ourselves and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Think About It

• Have you ever witnessed or experienced prejudice? How did it make you feel?
• How does understanding that God does not show favoritism affect your perspective on prejudice?
• What steps can you take to combat prejudice in your own life?