One Blood

The American church possesses an underutilized tool of great value. What is this resource, you might ask? Multiethnic believers. Christians with biracial backgrounds are a visible reminder to the body of Christ that all of His followers are one in Jesus regardless of their genetic, socio-economic, or geographic origins (Rom. 10:12; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:8-11). For a number of reasons, multiethnic Christians are in a good position to help bring reconciliation and unity to believers who are ethnically diverse. First, multiethnic individuals are a tangible demonstration that people from different ethnic groups can get along. [1] Despite a painful past and a turbulent present, even in the light of persistent injustices and mutual distrust, regardless of horrific oppressions and enduring animosity, the so-called races are not destined to struggle against each other in an unending battle for survival or dominance. Although centuries of painful exchanges continue to influence twenty-first cen...

In 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel after capturing Samaria, its capital city (2 Kgs. 17:6). The policy of Israel’s oppressors was to exile a portion of the population of each country it controlled and settling foreigners in their place. The short-term purpose of this forced colonization was to erode any potential resistance against Assyria by intermingling groups that did not trust each other. The long-term result of this program was the emergence of the Samaritans, a polytheistic ethnic group that possessed both Israelite and Gentile ancestry. [1] The enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans was well established by Jesus’ day. The feud appears to have stemmed from an episode that occurred when the first group of exiles returned from captivity and began to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple (ca. 538 BC). Soon thereafter, the Samaritans offered to assist them in this important religious task. In response, the Jewish governor Zerubbabel and the high priest...

Because of historical (and current) tensions between African Americans and Anglos, the majority of scholars who study racial issues focus almost exclusively on the interrelationship of these two people groups. This tunnel vision has prevented many from considering the interactions of African Americans and Hispanics in the United States. Below are two accounts that characterize the challenges that exist. Author Guadalupe San Miguel Jr. wrote from the perspective of Hispanics who resided in Houston in the 1970s: “Racial prejudices between Mexicans and African Americans . . . was very much a reality in the barrio. . . . [Some Hispanic] students were afraid of going to schools that were predominantly black because ‘black kids are always bossing us around, picking fights.’ Adults also expressed these sentiments. . . .” [1] Forty years later, a considerable percentage of Hispanics hold similar opinions. As evidence for their view, they often cite the case of David Rivas Morales, who, o...