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Sender's name: candace

hi. is there anything in the bible about racism and parents disown children? i know these things are not right but i need to know where i can if them in the bible. thanks

 

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Several passage deal with this.  You might try reading James 2:1-14.  Even though this is not about racial discrimination, it is about social discrimination, which is evil.  You might also look at Ephesians chapter 2, which teaches that Christ broke down the barrier of the dividing wall and made all Christians into one family.

 

Some more explicit passages are these:

 

"… a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all (Col 3:11)."

 

Many of these are ethnic designations.  Barbarians are what many people called the tribes of northern Europe.  Greek and Jew were also ethnic, as well as Scythian.  The passages says that Christ has renewed us Christians, and has erased these distinctions.

 

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:26-28)."

 

Once again, the earthly things that divide are broken down in Christ.  What ties all Christians together is their relationship with Christ.  It is not about race, social standing, or gender.  We are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

As to the second part of our question, I am not sure what it is you are referring to.  There are times when our faith in Christ can cause family rifts.  Jesus warned that this would happen.

 

"For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me (Matt 10:35-37)."

 

I have known people who became Christians and were disowned by their family.  Family takes on new meaning in Christ.  It is about those related by blood, namely the blood of Christ.  The family of God transcends earthly family ties. 

 

"But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, 'Who is My mother and who are My brothers?'  And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, 'Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.' (Matt 12:48-50)"

 

As far as Christian parents go, they are instructed in this way:

 

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4)."

 

John Telgren

P.O. Box 452

Leavenworth, KS 66048

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