T4G 2008 – Session #2, Thabiti Anyabwile

Session 2 was led by Thabiti Anyabwile, former Associate Pastor of Mark Dever's church on Capitol hill, currently an author and Senior Pastor of a church on Grand Cayman Island. The title of his talk was 'Bearing the Image: Identity, and the Work of Christ, and the Church. Here's what he shared in a riveting and revelatory hour:

Most of us have an unhealthy foundational view of race and race relations. Our set of assumptions on race is not a Biblical set. We need to acquire a Biblical set of assumptions. Race, as we know it and perceive it, does not exist.

1. We have complete unity in Adam. We are all 'with' Adam in our sin but we are also 'with' Adam in that: we are all genealogical descendants of Adam, we are all made in the image of God. Gen 1:26-28 (made in His image), Gen 2:21-24 (male & female, in His image), Gen 3:20 (demonstrates the biological unity of all mankind), Gen 5:1-3 (Seth, therefore the rest of Adam's descendants are made in His image as well, Gen 9:5-6 (asserts that ALL men are made in His image), Gen 10: 1,32 (the rise of ethnicity, but not race, all are descendents of Noah), Acts 17:26 ("…from one man…"). Over the centuries, the concept of ethnicity evolved into the concept of race. The problem we face is that our concept of race denies our common origins and becomes divisive and discontinuous in our ways of perceiving each other. Race has com e to mean "biological difference" and we use it to explain our differences between each other whereas "ethnicity" denotes differences in language, culture and geographical location but commonality in our origins. Scripture emphasizes our unity and continuity, not our differences. "This Scriptural concept demands that our abandonment of the use of race as a biological basis for differences."

There are 6 problems that arise from our use of race as an explanation for our differences: (1) It allows us to abuse other people and Scripture in defending our viewpoint (2) It becomes a very short step from recognizing race to racism (3)Categorizing people according to race prevents or hinders meaningful engagement of others not like ourselves. Race divides, inflames, antagonizes and destroys (4) The concept of race undermines the authority and sufficiency of Scripture (5) Our racial biases resist the work of the Holy Spirit Who illuminates His Word, united the church and works to shape us as individuals (6)The concept of race undermines the gospel because it denies our common ancestry. If we are not form the same man (Adam) then some have not inherited Adams's sin, the atonement is meant only of the descendants of Adam and would not apply to others if the idea behind separate races is allowed to continue.

2. How do we get out of this mode of thinking? (1) Admit to our common ancestry (2) Deny anything that suggests race is biological. This will take the emphasis off our differences and place the emphasis on our commonality. The rejection of race provides a foundation of commonality through our union with and in Christ. Our union with Christ shapes our viewpoint of ourselves and others. How? John 17:20 settles any identity conundrum we may have. We are transformed into newness of life. 2 Cor 5:14-18 changes our view from a worldly view to a heavenly one. Col 1:15, Heb 1:3, 2 Cor 3:18, Eph 4:24, Col 3:10-11 show that we are now being restored into relationship with Him, all of us. Our ethnicity is not nullified but we all share a new, permanent identity in Christ. "We have to minimize us and maximize Christ."

3. Where do we see this new dynamic play out? In the church! In the present time! It is not a concept for the age to come. Our congregations should give the world a glimpse of glory. Eph 2:14-17 shows that the work has been accomplished on the cross, it been done. Peace is a person and we experience it, in unity, as His body. Eph 3:6 shows this work of unity in t he present tense and 4:1-6 demonstrates how we express that unity in Christ. "Our local churches are to be the penultimate display of unity in Christ

4. Rev 5:9-10. This is where we're headed, heaven. Why not live like that now?