Is There Any Room for Racism

I had this big guy come into my brick and mortar Christian bookstore ( Emmaus Road Christian Store )awhile back and asked me if I had the book “Gracism” written by “Anderson.” My first thought was he was looking for books written by Neil Anderson and my second thought was “I didn’t know Neil Anderson wrote a book on ‘Racism.’ My first response, of course, was “yes I do!” In saying that however, I discovered he wasn’t looking for books written by “Neil Anderson” but rather by “David Anderson.” I’m sure my face had a blank expression on it as I had to embarrassingly ask, “Who’s that?” He of course went on to tell me that he was “David Anderson.”

In my conversation with David I found that he is the pastor at Bridgeway Community Church and the host of a nationally syndicated radio show called Reconciliation Live. He and I had a great visit together and in the course of our visit I found out that he owns a vacation home in my area.

David Anderson’s book “Gracism, the Art of Inclusion” is now a part of my store’s library and I must say a very interesting read. In the introductory section of his book, Anderson states, “Gracism, unlike racism, doesn’t focus on race for negative purposes such as discrimination. Gracism focuses on race for the purpose of positive ministry and service.” I like that! Gracism is for the positive and not the negative. It is for ministry and service and not for discrimination.

When you look at someone, anyone, what do you see? What kind of glasses do you have on? We so often look at people and stereotype people by the way they look. We have preconceived ideas when we see someone of a “different” race than what we are? How about those of a different sex, religion, size? Racism is a sin. Most of the time people think that racism is a black/white situation. Racism is far from that. Yes whites are racist towards blacks, blacks towards whites, whites towards Asians, Asians towards Mexicans, yet get the picture. Over the course of time we have made many advances towards bridging the gap but we obviously have a ling way to go. Anderson talks about the “dot” that everyone has. Some are visible and others aren’t, but we still have them. David Anderson believes the answer to racism in the world today is “Gracism.”


Anderson defines racism as speaking, acting or thinking negatively about someone else solely based on that person’s color, class or culture. He states that grace is the unmerited favor of God on humankind. As Christians we are to extend to others favor and kindness. Anderson says that when one merges the definition of racism, which is negative, with the definition of grace, which is positive, a new term emerges – gracism (I think David Anderson should trademark the term). Anderson defines gracism as the positive extension of favor on other humans based on color, class or culture. We are to extend favor onto others and not have favorites. This is backed up by scripture such as James 2:8-9. Does not God show favor on those he chooses to show favor to?

We are living in a rapidly changing world. There are population projections showing a shift in the numbers of minorities rising and the current majority decreasing. The point being is that we live in a multicultural society. David Anderson gives a great insight in this. This insight is reflected in view of 1 Corinthians 12. When people read this passage of scripture, they read it in light of spiritual gifts. David Anderson makes some strong points that yes, spiritual gifts are prevalent in this passage, but so is multiculturalism. Paul preached to the Jew, the Gentile, the free, the slave, the rich and the poor. Take the time to open your Bible and read this passage with the idea of multiculturalism in mind.

How is your church doing in view of multiculturalism? Are your antennas up and are you aware of the diversities that exist within your fold?

1 Corinthians 12 has been one of my favorite scripture references for quite some time. It talks about the gifts that each of us as Christians has. We excite ourselves in discovering our own gifts and using them for the glory and the kingdom of God. Right after the Apostle Paul draws a parallel of the various body parts and the various spiritual gifts given to us, and prior to the close to the close of the chapter, he talks about the “weaker.” It is in this that David Anderson brings insight. In Gracism, the Art of Inclusion, Seven Sayings of a Gracist are examined in light of 1 Corinthians 12.

Saying One “I Will Lift You Up”
“Those parts of the body that seam to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.” (1 Corinthians 12:22-23)
Special Honor is to be given to the humble. Special Honor is to be given to the down and outers, those living on the fringe, the minority, those who need special attention. These are the ones who go unnoticed, who are overlooked. Everyone is important in the body of Christ, not just those who stand out in the crowd.

Saying Two “I Will Cover You”
“The parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment.” (1 Corinthians 12:23-24)
Special Modesty is the way we speak about ethnic groups, genders and classes. Failure to do so and being critical does not develop unity within the body of Christ. We must ensure that we cloth ourselves with grace. The Apostle Paul mentions in Colossians that we must cloth ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We are to do this in reference to race, religion or ethnicity. As Christians we are to protect the most vulnerable within the body from embarrassment. We must check what we say and protect those who need protected.

Saying Three “I Will Share With You”
“The parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment.” (1 Corinthians 12:23-24)
No Special Treatment makes a statement of “I refuse to accept special favors or perks that may hurt you” even if the refusal is emotionally difficult. No Special Treatment says that I will not express my rights, freedoms and privileges if they could hurt you. Perhaps difficult, it will cut to the heart of Gracism. It becomes personal. Gracism simply says that before I allow you to feel put down, less dignified, I will share with you.

Saying Four “I Will Honor You”
“God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it.” (1 Corinthians 12:24)
Greater Honor is given to those parts of the body that lack honor. Anderson writes that those in the body that lack honor are the poor, crippled, blind and lame. It is through grace greater honor to those. The rich, I’m sure, don’t think it’s fair. Those who are physically fit may find it hard to accept the fact that God honors those who lack in the physical. In certain parts of the world people of different ethnicities are the ones who lack honor. In certain parts of the world people with physical or mental handicaps are considered those who lack honor. We often teach our children that life is not fair. I now know that neither is God. God is not fair; and I’m glad he’s not. This is where GRACE comes into play. It is by God’s grace that I am saved and have eternal life. I most certainly didn’t deserve it. James 4:6 says that God gives grace to the humble. Those who are humble realize that they lack honor.

Saying Five “I Will Stand With You”
God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body. (1 Corinthians 12:24-25)
The emphasis of this saying is “no division” within the body of Christ. Division among believers is not of God. God hates division. God is one in his nature, we are called to be one with him, and therefore there is no room for division to exist among followers of Christ. If we allow or if we cling to division within the body of Christ, we align ourselves with the kingdom of darkness ruled by Satan. If we align ourselves with God we must align ourselves with unity. In John 17 Jesus prayed that all believers be of oneness. God does not want his children to fight and quarrel. If such is happening, I will be a person of reconciliation. Of which race, social group or culture did Jesus not die for? God, in his infinite wisdom, extended grace to everyone who will accept it. Because we are one in Christ, we must therefore say that there is no division among us and that “I will stand with you.”

Saying Six “I Will Consider You”
“God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25)
This saying says that I will have equal concern for you. I will look at your circumstance, have the compassion of Jesus, and do whatever I can for you. It is being the “Good Samaritan” towards those who are downtrodden. A gracist who considers others does not live in their own world but rather looks for those who are struggling with the hope of showing equal concern for them. Equal concern is treating those who are hurt as if they were you own flesh and blood, your own family; because they are. Having equal concern is stepping out of my house and getting involved with those who are different than me. I will concern myself with your feelings and your dreams no matter what the circumstance or situation. Paul took Peter to task when Peter “removed” himself from the Gentiles when Jews arrived on the scene. By Peter doing this he even led Barnabas astray. In the body of Christ there are no “them” and “us.” I will consider you not only when it is convenient but always.

Saying Seven “I Will Celebrate With You”
“If one part suffers every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, overy part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26)
As Christians, we must rejoice with others over their successes. When another racial group, ethnic group or gender group succeeds in some area, instead of becoming jealous and resentful, I should celebrate. In all the diversity in which we are a part of, we must rejoice with the successes of others, especially when it is not natural for us to rejoice in this way. Celebrating each other’s successes and wins is critical to unity. Jealousy and covetousness brew the poison that brings dissension to the body.

Becoming a Gracist is as easy as you want it to be. Central to it all is allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and when the Holy Spirit convicts you of your need to extend God’s grace to those who are in need of grace, to do so. Gracism is the positive extension of favor on other human beings based on color, class or culture. Racism can be narrow in its definition. Grace is the opposite. Becoming a Gracist is becoming more like Christ.

David Anderson’s book, Gracism, the Art of Inclusion can be purchased online for only $15.30 at Emmaus Road Christian Store.