Letter to the Editor

A Christian response to racism: Greencastle churches stand in solidarity against racism, white supremacy

Friday, May 25, 2018

To the Editor:

In light of recent expressions of racism that have occurred on the campus of DePauw University, we, the undersigned churches of Greencastle, declare ourselves to be in resolute opposition to any form of racism and white supremacy. Racism and white supremacy are antithetical to the teachings of the Bible.

Scripture teaches that every human being is created equal in the image of God and is worthy of dignity and respect (Genesis 1:26-27, 9:6; James 3:9). The Christian teaching that all humanity is created in God’s image refutes the ideology that one race is superior to another race. Therefore, we repudiate the unbiblical ideologies of racism and white supremacy.

As Christians we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 5:43, 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27-28). In response to the question “who is my neighbor,” Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan. In that parable Jesus taught us that our neighbor is defined by our common humanity and nothing else (Luke 10:29-37).

As followers of Jesus, we are to love every human being in the same way that we would want to be loved. Racism and white supremacy are forms of hatred and are inconsistent with the command of Christ to love our neighbor.

Our call to action to all Christians is to denounce racism and white supremacy by regarding every human being as created in God’s image, by treating others with dignity and respect, and by practicing the command of Jesus to love your neighbor as yourself.

We call all Christians to pray for those who have been victimized by acts of racism and injustice in our community. Furthermore, we call on Christians to pray for those who hold racist and white supremacist ideologies, so that Spirit-led conviction would spur them toward repentance and that they would come to a fuller understanding of the love proclaimed and exemplified in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul Wiseheart

Pastor

First Baptist Church

Bob Muncie

Pastor

Greencastle Church of the Nazarene

Jane Muncie

Pastor

Greencastle Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Bryan W. Langdoc

Pastor

Gobin Memorial Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. John Rumple

Rector

St. Andrews Episcopal Church

Rev. Wes Kendall

Minister

Greencastle Presbyterian Church

Father John Holowell

Priest

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

John Tischer

Pastor

Greencastle Christian Church

Dave Neeley

Pastor

Cornerstone Baptist Church

Pr. Matt L. Schneider

Pastor

Peace Lutheran Church

Nathan R. Couch

Pastor

Bethel Baptist Church

Dr. Scott Kallem

Pastor

New Life Baptist Church