Preamble
In an age of moral confusion, ideological shift, and cultural division, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, seek to faithfully confess what Scripture teaches about God’s truth, human dignity, race and ethnicity, justice, and our unity in Christ. We believe that the Holy Scripture — the inspired, inerrant, sufficient, and authoritative Word of God — is the ultimate guide for understanding reality, human nature, sin, salvation, and our call to live holy and just lives before the Lord and one another.
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Grounded in the historic Christian faith, we offer these affirmations and denials to clarify our biblical convictions, expose errors, and encourage the Church to stand firm against the false philosophies and worldly systems. As servants of Christ, bound to His Word. We long to see His people walk in unity as one loving family, dedicated to the glory of God, devoted to the good of all believers, and as advocates of hope to every nation.
article I
scripture
WE AFFIRM that Scripture is authoritative in all that it speaks and true in all it affirms. Scripture offers knowledge about God, mankind, sin, and redemption that is sufficient to guide every person into a saving relationship with Christ Jesus and sufficient to guide the ongoing sanctification of every person in the Holy Spirit. [2 Peter 1:3: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Psalm 119:160; John 17:17]
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WE AFFIRM that Scripture is the ultimate written source of God’s wisdom and sufficient for shaping the worldview of every Christian in every cultural context and throughout all times.
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WE AFFIRM that Scripture is the ultimate written source of God’s wisdom and a sufficient guide on all matters of moral decision-making and for practicing the holy justice of God.
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WE AFFIRM that institutions, political theories, philosophies, and other systems of thought that fundamentally reject the knowledge and wisdom of Scripture may occasionally agree with Christianity. These areas of consensus, however, do not connote equal value and are deficient as they do not have a grounding in the historic Christian worldview.
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WE DENY that institutions, political theories, philosophies, and other systems of thought that reject the knowledge and wisdom of Scripture can be used as reliable guides for interpreting Scripture or for shaping the Christian worldview.
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WE DENY that institutions, political theories, philosophies, and other systems of thought that contradict Scripture (e.g., Governments, political parties, Critical Race Theory, whiteness studies, etc.) are in any way necessary for administering biblical justice or for living a holy life that is pleasing to God.
article 2
image of God
WE AFFIRM a clear distinction between God and Creation (Gen. 1 & 2), and creational polarity between the sexes (male and female) established by God at creation (Gen. 1:27, Romans 1:24-25)
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WE AFFIRM that God created every human—male and female—in His image, with intrinsic value, sacred and equal worth, and a common humanity (Genesis 1:26–27, 5:1–2, 9:6; James 3:9).
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WE AFFIRM that every human ought to be treated with dignity, honor, and respect, and with special care to safeguard those who are vulnerable to exploitation (Micah 6:8).
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WE AFFIRM that Christians have a special obligation to treat every human person, including those who treat us as enemies, with kindness, gentleness, respect, and without partiality, even when such efforts are countercultural, costly, and inconvenient (Leviticus 19:18, 33-34, Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 22:34-40, Luke 10:25–37).
WE AFFIRM that all humans are designed by God to worship our Creator, exercise dominion over creation, build and protect their family, and participate in the dignity of work (Gen. 2).
WE DENY that socioeconomic status, national origin, ethnic heritage, cultural practices, linguistic differences, religious affiliation, biological sex, physical condition, mental capacity, or sinful habits diminish or increase the intrinsic worth of any human (Deuteronomy 8:17-18, 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Proverbs 18:5, 24:23, 28:21; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; 1 Corinthians 4:7, Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; James 2:1–13; 1 Peter 1:17; cf. Jude 16)
article 3
race & ethnicity
WE AFFIRM that all humans share the same original parents, Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:20, 5:1–2; Acts 17:26) and belong to one kind – humankind.
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WE AFFIRM that the term “race” developed as a result of a cultural fiction (social construct) that organized humans into a hierarchy of value, one that placed those with lighter skin at the top and those with darker skin at the bottom. This sinful practice has impacted, and in some cases continues to influence, institutional practices and policies through intentional and unintentional acts of partiality. The term “race” divides humanity into false and unnatural categories, creating fallacious, harmful, and unrighteous human distinctions.
WE AFFIRM that the term “ethnicity” derived from the Greek word “ethnos” refers to a nation, tribe, caste, or people group. The term ethnicity more closely aligns with the Scripture's categorization of humans and allows for the potential of a righteous diversity of humankind (Revelation 7:9-10).
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WE AFFIRM that the social construct of race leads to unrighteous diversity, whereas ethnic identity has the potential to lead us toward a righteous diversity.
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WE AFFIRM that physical features (such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture) and mental and intellectual capacity are superintended by God’s divine providence. (Psalm 139:13-16, Exodus 4:11)
WE AFFIRM that differences in physical features (such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture) between people groups are the result of micro-adaptations related to human migration, geographical influences, and environmental conditions (Acts 17:26-27).
WE DENY that the intrinsic value of a human person is diminished or enhanced by his or her physical characteristics (such as skin color), mental capacity, or ethnicity (John 7:24).
WE DENY that God judges the value of a human person based on his or her physical characteristics (such as skin color), mental capacity, or ethnicity (John 7:24).
article 4
racism & ethnic partiality
WE AFFIRM that racism and/or ethnic partiality is a consequence of Adam’s Fall in which the whole of humanity participated federally. The ultimate root of racial division is an expression of humanity’s sinfulness through various acts of tribal (e.g., racial, ethnic, linguistic) discrimination (Romans 2:11; James 3:17-18).
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WE AFFIRM that racism is a combination of (1) ethnic and/or racial favoritism (advantaging or disadvantaging a person or group based on their skin color, physical features, regional accent, or cultural heritage), (2) hatred in our hearts (1 John 3:15) toward a person or group of people based on their skin color, physical features, regional accent, or cultural heritage, or (3) degrading speech and actions.
WE AFFIRM that the sin of racism (or ethnic partiality) has the potential to exist among every ethnic group, tribe, nationality, and culture, although it may take different forms.
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WE AFFIRM that racism can be expressed through individual acts or when groups of sinners collaborate to exploit others. When sinners conspire to form policies and practices, whether spoken or unspoken, written or unwritten, that advantage one group over another group based on skin color, physical features, regional accent, or cultural heritage, this can result in sinful systems and structures.
WE AFFIRM that racism has played a significant role in the history and cultural practices of many nations. For this reason, it is good for the citizens of a country to be aware of historical realities, as well as the current societal impacts of ethnic partiality.
WE AFFIRM that Christians should oppose all sin, which includes or leads to the sin of racism.
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WE AFFIRM that accusations of racism must be accompanied by objective evidence, meeting the biblical standard of establishing truth through the examination of multiple witnesses. In so doing, we recognize the Image of God in the individual and honor God’s command not to bear false witness. (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19).
WE AFFIRM that we should examine suspected examples of unjust systems on their own merits, seeking to destroy ungodly strongholds and taking every thought captive to obey Christ (Exodus 1:5–14, 22:21, 23:9; Esther 3:7–14; Psalm 10:17-18, 94:20–21; Proverbs 14:31; Isaiah 1:16-17, 10:1–2; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5; James 5:1–6)
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WE DENY that race-based bias (or ethnic partiality) is a problem that is endemic or unique to Western cultures or a particular people group in it (e.g., white people).
WE DENY that racism (or ethnic partiality) is endemic to every system and structure. Rather, each system and structure needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to see if it is advancing one group over another.
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WE DENY that any particular group is more or less vulnerable to engaging in the sin of racism, or ethnic partiality, based on their skin color, ethnicity, cultural heritage, or national origin.
WE DENY that the social construct of race has any redemptive, sociological, or psychological value for human flourishing or communal inclusiveness, often creating more division and discrimination than unity.
article 5
unity founded on Christ
WE AFFIRM that one day, each human will stand before the Great White Throne to give an account for their actions, whether good or bad. Thus, God’s first concern about any individual human person is the state of his or her relationship to the new covenant (Eph. 2:11-22), whether he or she is far from (“in Adam”; Rom. 5) or near to the covenant (“in Christ”). (Psalm 96:11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15)
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WE AFFIRM that God’s plan to save sinners includes people from every nation, ethnic group, tribe, and language (Genesis 12:1–3; Deuteronomy 7:6–8; Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 10:9–43; Romans 1:5; Galatians 2:11–16; 3:8, 14, 16, 28–29; Colossians 3:11; Revelation 5:9, 7:9, 14:6). As the gospel goes out to the ends of the earth, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will come to faith in Jesus’s death and resurrection and form one new people (Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 2:11-22; Rev. 7:9-10).
WE AFFIRM that the Church has been ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse since Pentecost (Acts 2). We see the culmination of God’s plan to create one new people from among the nations as members of every tribe and tongue bow to worship Him in the throne room of heaven (Rev. 7:9-10, Ephesians 2:14-15; 4:1-7; 1 Peter 2:9-11).
WE AFFIRM that in Christ, all Christians become spiritual brothers and sisters. Unity between Christians from various racial and ethnic groups is an objective reality that already exists in the spirit realm, one that ought to be lived out tangibly in real-world relationships (Matthew 12:46-48; Galatians 3:27-29; Colossians 3:11).
WE DENY that any self-defining characteristic is more significant than one’s identity in Christ, whether cultural, ethnic, physical, ideological, political, or preference (John 3:30, Galatians 3:28, 1 Corinthians 1:10).
WE DENY that Christians share an organic spiritual unity as “brothers and sisters” with non-Christians. However, Christians ought to find common ground with non-Christians on matters of human dignity and equality when those issues are grounded in the image of God
article 6
diversity in Christ
WE AFFIRM that the foundation for harmony between people from diverse ethnic, cultural, national, and linguistic backgrounds is the work of Jesus on the cross, the unity of the Godhead, the resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost. Only the supernatural work of God can bring together people from such diverse backgrounds and experiences to worship, serve, glorify Him, and become a spiritual family (Romans 12:16; 2 Cor 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:11-3:10, 4:1-3).
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WE DENY that Christians should enable or perpetuate segregation or division along ethnic lines (Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:15-16).
article 7
justice
WE AFFIRM that justice is rooted and grounded in the eternal and immutable character of God, His moral perfection, and holiness. All He does is just, and there is no injustice in Him (Psalm 9:7; 89:14; 97:2; 119:137-144).
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WE AFFIRM that God commands the church to do justice which includes the following, 1) to obey the eternal moral principles of God, 2) to develop impartial policies (“equal weights and measures”) based on God’s righteous standards and 3) to judge all people equally regardless of ethnicity, sex, age, economic status, physical or mental abilities or cultural background (1 Kings 3:28, Proverbs 29:4, Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:9-10; Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 16:11; Leviticus 19:35-37; James 2:9).
WE AFFIRM that Christians must pursue justice, not to be saved, but because we are already saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–10). As recipients of God’s mercy, we are called to walk in love with our neighbor and obey God’s moral principles. The pursuit of justice is an outworking of our obedience to God and a fruit of our salvation, not the source of it.
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WE AFFIRM that individuals and groups with power must be wise in their implementation of policies and avoid exploiting the vulnerable for their own gain. All humans have the potential to use their power for godly purposes or exploitation. For this reason, it is vital to establish structures of accountability, channels of reporting, and processes for the investigation of facts (Ps. 94).
WE AFFIRM that the presumption of innocence on matters of moral good and evil is necessary for justice. The presumption of innocence affirms both the nature and the image of God. (Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 17:6, Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1, Hebrews 10:28)
WE AFFIRM that Christians have a responsibility to maintain the unity made possible in Christ by cultivating the fruits of the Spirit and resisting the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5), walking in humility (Eph. 4:2–3), sharing with those in need (2 Cor. 9:7), and engaging in warranted empathy (1 Cor. 12:26; also Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 2:1–8; Colossians 3:12–15). When an individual has a personal offense with a fellow Christian, they should go to that person in private and work mutually toward genuine repentance and generous forgiveness (Matt. 18).
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WE DENY that God’s standard of justice is measured by which institutions or persons have power and which institutions or persons do not have power. Power imbalance is not an inherent evil.
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WE DENY that only those with power can be guilty of showing ethnic partiality. Any person of any ethnicity can be guilty of showing ethnic partiality (cf. Acts 6:1, Romans 3:10-18, James 2:1–13).
WE DENY that past injustice can be resolved by more injustice today. Past discrimination does not justify present discrimination.
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WE DENY that human beings can attain salvation by moral effort, natural ability, or the exercise of free will apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Faith does not arise from human initiative, nor does grace merely assist sinners in saving themselves. Salvation is the sovereign gift of God—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not the result of human merit, cooperation, or inherent righteousness. (2 Cor. 12:8-9, Romans 8).
WE DENY that perfect justice can be achieved in this life, individually or corporately. God alone is perfectly just, and our ultimate hope for justice resides in Christ’s promises and glorious return. Even so, God’s people ought to pursue justice according to God’s standards while on earth. (John 14:6, Romans 5:1-10; Romans 2:16; Revelation 22:12).
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WE DENY that justice is determined solely based on social location (ie: racial identity, ethnic identity, or nation of origin) or the perceptions of the person who feels wronged. (John 5:31, Matthew 18:16)
WE DENY that the mere presence of racial disparities proves inherent injustice OR that the neo-Marxist idea of equity of outcomes, an attempt to guarantee identical results for all groups, is in any way rooted in the principles of biblical justice. (John 5:31, Matthew 18:16)
WE DENY that our pursuit of justice, mercy, or any good work justifies us before God or contributes to our salvation. No human action, however noble, can atone for sin or earn divine favor. Only the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ is sufficient to justify sinners (Ephesians 2:8-9).
conclusion
With humble hearts, we submit these affirmations and denials to the authority of Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ. We call every believer to test all things by the Word of God, to hold fast to what is good, and to reject what is evil and false. May the Church resist worldly ideologies that divide, distort, or diminish our witness. May we stand firm in the gospel that alone reconciles sinful people to a holy God and to one another.
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We look forward in hope to the day when Christ will return to judge the living and the dead, to make all things new, and to establish true and perfect justice forever. Until then, we commit ourselves to proclaiming the gospel, pursuing holiness, and doing Christ-centered justice as one new people, the family of God.
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