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Modern discussions about race and politics often resemble conflicting echoes rather than meaningful conversations. Complex issues necessitate thoughtful reflection. Therefore, we encourage you to explore our additional resources on social matters, such as systemic racism, to gain valuable background insights. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” can carry vastly different interpretations for individuals, depending on their perspectives and objectives. Delving into every subtle nuance of these interpretations exceeds the scope of our ministry’s capabilities.
Instead, we opt to address specific issues commonly linked to Black Lives Matter that should be of concern to Christians. Our emphasis is on highlighting areas where valid concerns regarding racism, inequality, or culture may be influenced by non-biblical ideologies and veer off from biblical teachings. Our expertise and mission do not lie in delving into the most intricate details of social theories or cultural disputes. We strive to present clear biblical principles where they intersect with societal norms. It is impossible for any single article to cover every aspect of a social issue to satisfy every potential reader, and we do not claim otherwise.
Emerging in 2013 in response to separate incidents of police shootings involving two young black men, the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) gained prominence through its adoption of the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag. Since then, the statement “black lives matter” has become a rallying cry for those who perceive systemic racism against African-Americans across various spheres of society, particularly within law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.
There is no need to delve into statistics on black crime rates in comparison to the black population percentage, or the occurrences of black-on-black homicides versus the number
When considering the number of Black individuals killed by police officers, each statistic is met with a conflicting statistic or a reinterpretation. Delving into the specific cases that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement seems futile. The different factions appear entrenched in their interpretations of the incidents and their consequences. Much like other race-related issues, engaging in a productive conversation about the Black Lives Matter movement seems nearly impossible.
As a fundamental principle, it is undeniable that black lives matter. Black/African-Americans are equally made in the image of God «And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. », (Genesis 1:26). In God’s perspective, blacks hold the same worth as whites, browns, reds, yellows, and all individuals in between. Racism is abhorrent. There exists only one race, and that is the human race. Ultimately, we all share the same ancestors (Genesis 5).
As a movement, Black Lives Matter has taken this valid concept (black lives matter) and distorted it into something entirely unscriptural. The organization has recently revealed its true intentions, openly advocating for causes that contradict biblical principles. The two founders of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza, embrace Marxism as their ideology: “We actually do have an ideological frame,” Cullors stated in an interview, “Myself and Alicia in particular, we’re trained organizers. We are trained Marxists. We are super-versed on ideological theories” (quoted in the Washington Times, “The matter of Marxism: Black Lives Matter is rooted in a soulless ideology,” June 29, 2020).
On their official website, BLM declares their endorsement of the LGBTQ agenda: “We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead. We . . .Dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black transgender individuals. We cultivate a queer-affirming network. When we come together, it is with the purpose of liberating ourselves from the firm grasp of heteronormative ideologies, or the notion that everyone in the world is heterosexual” (https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe, accessed 6/16/20).
One of the most concerning aspects is Black Lives Matter’s position on the family: “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by backing each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively support one another, particularly our children, to the extent that mothers, parents, and children feel comfortable” (ibid.). What BLM refers to as the “Western-prescribed nuclear family” is essentially the family unit ordained by God: a father, a mother, and their children. To actively seek to “disrupt” that design is to oppose God’s plan for society.
Regarding racism, it is universally accepted that no one should be judged by the color of their skin. We must combat all true forms of racism and show compassion to its victims. Throughout it all, we should guide people to Christ as the sole solution for racism. Protests, policies, awareness, legal system reforms, and so on, will never resolve the issue. Racism stems from sin. Until the sin issue is addressed—until individuals are transformed in Christ «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17)—the problem of racism will persist. Only in Christ can racial reconciliation be achieved: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” «For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; », (Ephesians 2:14).
Regarding the approaches employed by Black Lives Matter, peaceful demonstrations against racial injustice are suitable. However, Christians should refrain from participating in riots, looting, violence against law enforcement, hateful rhetoric, and/or discriminatory actions towards non-black individuals. Combatting injustice and animosity cannot be achieved through further injustice and animosity.
Concerning BLM’s stance on non-racial matters, it is inconceivable for a Christian to endorse the irreligious principles of Marxism, condone the dissolution of the traditional family structure, or engage with a “queer-affirming network” that promotes the acceptance of transgenderism.
Similar to any organization, it is crucial to understand the beliefs of Black Lives Matter. Some of their convictions are incompatible with biblical teachings. Naturally, all Christians should uphold the value of black lives mattering, recognizing that we are all made in the likeness of God. Nevertheless, Christians must disavow the BLM movement’s co-opting of this fundamental truth and its advocacy for ideologies and strategies that are entirely unscriptural.
