MLK Day: In the time of BLM and critical race theory, how can it be relevant, encouraging, or even fair to be a “chosen race”?

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 04:02:43 +0000

MLK Memorial, ht Flickr

We live in times when the very idea of a “chosen race” is offensive.

And yet, God was not hesitant in the least to tell Moses, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel” (Exodus 19:5-6).

Having just delivered Israel from bondage to the Egyptians, God leads them to Mt. Sinai and, upon arrival, this is the very first thing he tells Moses to tell them. He is giving them a new identity: his chosen people. His treasured possession.

He wants them to know that “all the earth is mine,” and out of “all peoples” Israel will have a special relationship with him and a unique identity. “If you obey my voice and keep my covenant,” you will be a “holy nation.” A “holy” nation is a nation “set apart” from all other nations. You will be a kingdom of priests endowed with royal authority to bring people to me.

This is so foreign to our deeply democratic sensibilities. “We the people” choose our own leaders. We believe in equality. One citizen, one vote. What made Israel so special? And how can being a “chosen race” be a source of deep encouragement and challenge or even fair in today’s world?

Lael ArringtonMLK Day: In the time of BLM and critical race theory, how can it be relevant, encouraging, or even fair to be a “chosen race”? – Lael Arrington

MLK Day: In the time of BLM and critical race theory, how can it be relevant, encouraging, or even fair to be a “chosen race”?