Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The Gospel is the Answer to Racism

by Ken Ham on January 20, 2019
Featured in Ken Ham Blog

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day here in America, a day that celebrates the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. He fought to end so-called–"racial" segregation and promote what’s called "racial" equality. His work fighting racism is certainly worth celebrating and Christians should be at the forefront of continuing to fight racism because we have the answer to racism. (By the way, as we teach inside the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, there are no "races" of people—sadly, there have been segregations of “people groups,” based on prejudice, but not segregations of "races.") The answer is found in the true history of the world and the saving gospel, as related in God’s Word, beginning in Genesis!

The Bible’s history is vital when we’re discussing the issue of “race.”

You see, the Bible’s history is vital when we’re discussing the issue of “race.” The Bible teaches that all humans are descended from the first couple, Adam and Eve. Then in Genesis chapter 11, after the global flood that reduced the human population to just eight, we read that Noah’s descendants gathered in one place to build a city and a tower, in defiance of God’s command to spread out and fill the earth. So, God confused their languages, forcing them to spread out across the earth.

After this event, the human population became separated by geography and language. This broke the population into sub-groups and, as people married within their own group, certain genetic features (eye shape, skin shade, etc.) became more prominent within each group. This led to the rise of different people-groups or cultures. We have striking exhibits at both the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter that share these truths.

Here at Answers in Genesis we don’t say that we’re “black and white” because that’s simply not true. We’re actually all shades of brown, thanks to a pigment called melanin. Although it’s more complicated than this, as a general rule if you have lots of melanin, you have dark brown skin. If you have only a little bit of melanin (like me) you have lighter skin. We’re not black and white—we’re shades of brown.

Now, because we’re all descended from Adam and Eve, we all have the same ultimate problem: we’re sinners in rebellion against God, and, under judgment, deserving of death. But the good news for all people is that Jesus Christ stepped into history to die on the cross, taking the punishment for sin that we all deserve. He then rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and now offers the free gift of eternal life to those from every nation, tribe, people, and language who will put their faith and trust in Christ.

The gospel is the solution we all need.

The gospel is the solution we all need, and when we start with the Bible’s history, we can clearly see that we’re all one family and that we’re all sinners in need of a Savior.

The gospel is the answer to racism!

One Race One Blood

Fighting racism has always been part of what we do here at Answers in Genesis. (See, for example, my co-authored book One Race, One Blood.) And throughout 2019 we’re focusing on the truth that we’re one blood, one family, and one race. One way we’re doing this is with our Answers for Pastors and Christian Leaders conference on “races,” October 8–10, 2019, at the Ark Encounter. (Registration to the conference includes admission to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum.) Speakers include Dr. Charles Ware, Voddie Baucham, Johnny Hunt, and me. At this conference, you’ll discover the biblical and scientific answers to the issues of “race” and be equipped, as a Christian leader, to show others the truth. You’ll be encouraged by God’s Word and the message that the gospel is our ultimate answer.

Register today (and check out our special multi-day pass options) to receive a special early-bird discount.

The Incredible Race

Another way we’re sharing the truth of God’s Word regarding the human race is through our 2019 Answers VBS (Vacation Bible School). The Incredible Race: One Family, One Race, One Savior will take kids on a race around the world, completing challenges, as they discover the history in God’s Word and the truth that we’re all one family, all loved by God, and all in need of the saving gospel.

Learn more about Answers VBS, or order your Super Starter Kit, at AnswersVBS.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.

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