Hope Chapel Positions & Perspectives

In the coming months, the elders of Hope Chapel will be providing position papers to articulate scripturally grounded views on a number of topics held within the Christian faith. Below we deal with the issue of race relations in America.

Open Letter on Race and Racism - October 2020

To the members and adherents of Hope Chapel, we believe it is our duty as Elders to speak into this moment of time with a biblical response to the turmoil that is in our nation, specifically in the area of race relations. (I Timothy 5:21, Titus 1:9) It is our hope that this statement will guide our Body as we continue to follow Christ our King.

To the members and adherents of our church Body who comprise the African-American community and have had to face these difficult, hurtful, isolating issues often in silence, we say that we grieve with you, we lament with you. We want you to know that we are listening to you. We seek to be agents of change with you. We stand alongside you. We trust in the power of Christ our Healer to repair and restore all that has been broken, as only He can. There can be no argument about considering any ethnic group as inferior to others or being considered as “less” or “separate”. Before the Creator God, all humanity bears the image of the Triune, Eternal God. And, we pray for His mercy.

Hope Chapel Position on Race and Racism

Words mean things. The use of words, properly or improperly, can have a powerful effect. The word race has become one of those in our current context. As such, it is important to note that the word race, as it is most often used in translation in Scripture, both Hebrew and Greek, represents a very different connotation than it does in modern times. The word translated race in Scripture refers to seed or offspring (Hebrew) and posterity or lineage (Greek). Therefore, we hold that humanity exists as persons from every "tribe and tongue and people and nation”. (Revelation 5:9)

• Created by God - We affirm and hold to be true that all humans were created by God and descended from Adam and Eve. (Genesis 1:26-31) As such, we understand from a biblical perspective that there is only one biological race. This truth is affirmed by scientific studies on the human genome. Biblically and scientifically humanity is one.

• Corrupted by Sin - Humanity has been corrupted by sin. (Romans 3:9–20) Scripture records the entrance of sin into humanity, (Genesis 3:1-7) and how corruption polluted the heart. (Genesis 4:1–12) That corruption continues to this day, is present in every facet of life, and continues to plague humanity in relationships.

• Separated by Pride and Prejudice - Humans have dysfunctional and destructive relationships. The knowledge of our sinful heart reveals the source of our past and present challenges regarding loving relationships. Pride, jealousy, envy, injustice, unforgiveness, and murder are all the manifestations of our sin. The problem of hate-filled, dysfunctional race relations, at its root, is the ability to continue in our sin unchecked by any authority. This includes the authority of God.

The term race is often used in contemporary American society to classify or divide people based primarily on certain physical characteristics, such as the color of their skin. Though in our culture this has manifested itself as an issue of “black” and “white”, the evil intentions of the heart regarding prejudice are far more pervasive. These include, but are not limited to: prejudice, separation, injustice, verbal abuse, apathy, bodily harm, mental and emotional cruelty. This separation is not the intention of our Creator. (Ephesians 3:23-28)

• Reconciled to God - As believers who understand the deep, pervasive, and destructive nature of sin, we appreciate the ultimate solution: the cross. (Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 2:13-16) Though Christ’s death did not change the color of any man, woman, or child’s skin; it redeemed us from our sin. (Romans 3:21-30) The corruption of sin is overcome by a single solution, Christ our Savior. (Ephesians 4:4–6) Through the blood of Christ, we become one body; many skin tones, physical characteristics, and cultural nuances that become reflected in our unity by the transforming love of Jesus as recorded in the Scriptures. (John 13:34-35)

• Repenting to God and One Another - In our culture specifically, and in other cultures generally, we have been racially programmed in many ways, skin color being at the forefront for us. Because of these cultural roots, the way the world thinks, and our own fallen nature, we have often allowed what we see on the exterior rather than what is on the interior of a person to dictate our action and reaction toward them.

This must be corrected. It begins with seeing as God sees, and continues through confession, repentance, and reconciliation. (1 John 1:5-10, Romans 2:4, Matthew 3:8, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21) Those who trust Christ (through His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection) find forgiveness for their sin, have His love infused in their hearts, and are willing and able to humble themselves before their fellowman. This eternal transformation brings about the reality that in Christ, believers are one new race, family, and body. (1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 5:9)

• Restored - Now transformed, and being continually transformed, believers become instruments of God to live and be known for their love for one another and the world around them. (Matthew 22:34–40; John 13:34–35) This reality becomes the basis for the end of the corruption of sin and the transforming power of the cross in ALL our relationships. Centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, racial reconciliation is available and will be seen by the world. (1 John 4:7-12, 19-21)

(Source – Adapted from “Racial Reconciliation: The Grace Relations Way” by Dr. Charles Ware - written June 4, 2019)

Our Official Statement on Race Relations

The sins of racism and injustice have plagued mankind and our nation since its inception.

We, the leadership and membership of Hope Chapel, denounce racism, injustice, and any and all systems and actions of any group and/or laws that seek to make themselves racially and/or ethnically superior over any other group of people. We stand in opposition to ANY groups that promote the supremacy of any people group over another.

Further, we denounce any acts of violence, oppression, or inequity in any form against any and all people groups that have been marginalized, oppressed, and/or treated as less than the human creation of God. We will maintain continual vigilance for such acts, and as we are aware of them will seek to correct them in a biblical manner in this church body.

Additionally, we will continue to be open to the Holy Spirit to reveal to us areas of repentance necessary for any acts of racism and/or injustice—past or present—that have taken place in our body, individually or corporately, overt or covert. We, with God’s help, will denounce and oppose the evil strongholds that have resulted and remain because of these acts. We will welcome the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit as we invite Christ our Sanctifier to work in and on us, so that we may honor, celebrate, and promote the beauty of the image of God in all of humanity.

As a church, we pledge to follow the example of Jesus and heed the call to “proclaim good news to the poor”, “proclaim liberty to the captives … and those who are oppressed”, (Luke 4:18-19) and be a strong voice for hope and change in our communities, where the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the outcast, and all those who have suffered and continue to suffer from acts of racism and/or injustice. We pledge to be a people and place where those oppressed can find refuge, hope, dignity, and love in Jesus. We pledge to be a people who will “weep with those who weep”, listen to those who have no voice, help the weak, “associate with the lowly”, be agents of change by proclaiming salvation through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, announcing His Kingdom of righteousness and justice, and live “at peace with all men”. (Romans 12:15)