I recently spoke with an evangelical pastor who argued that Colin Kaepernick's "National Anthem protest" is the modern day equivalent of Rosa Park's heroic 1950's bus protest. After listening to this individual's line of argumentation I went away completely unconvinced. When Christians disagree about the Ferguson riots, perceived racial biases within the American judicial system, and/or "National Anthem kneel down protests" does this mean (by implication) that "racism" is alive and well within the gospel-centered Church in America? Does this indicate that the "other side" is not listening? In many cases, the answer is no.
Whenever good and godly men disagree it is wise to return to the ultimate source of wisdom as everything we say and do should be measured against the backdrop of God's holy Word. Thankfully, all true evangelicals agree that the inerrant Bible is the sole rule of faith (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Psalm 119). As such believers need to go back to the Word of God and sincerely ask, "What sayeth the Scriptures?"
The most important verse in this on going debate may well be Mark 12:30-31. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And you shall ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’
The logical follow up question is: "Who is MY neighbor?" We do not have to guess because this very question is taken up by our Lord and Savior in the famous (and often misunderstood) parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus reminds his disciples that everyone we come into contact with is our "neighbor." We are called to love all "image bearers" and to "treat others the way you want to be treated" (Luke 6:31).
Here are some of ways these biblical principles have played out in my personal life and in the life of the congregations I have helped pastor the past 13 years: 1) By choice, my last roommate in college was a black athlete from the Bahamas. I treated Jimmy the same way I treated my previous roommate (who happened to be my older brother). I was not a perfect roommate but I strived to be a faithful friend to both (in the spirit of Philippians 2:1-4).
2) After graduating from seminary my wife and I moved to Indianapolis. It was here in Carmel, Indiana that we purchased our first starter home. As a local church pastor and as a believer I worked hard to "have a good reputation with outsiders" (per 1 Timothy 3:7) and to demonstrate the love of Christ to our neighbors. My wife and I had three different next door neighbors during our time in Indy. A single white (male) neighbor. A single black (female) neighbor. And a Muslim family neighbor. Andrea and invited all of these individuals into our home and enjoyed great relations with Chris, Kim, and with Saad and Rolla. I was even able to discuss Christianity and Islam with our neighbors from Turkey without ruining our neighborly relationship. These relationships are not uniquely praiseworthy as this is the way it "ought to be" (see Luke 17:10). God expects believers to be loving and kind to their neighbors (whether they are black or white, Muslim or Christian).
