Race and power in the world: Some definitions.

In his 2001 article in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology on racism, C.D. McConnell quotes Bowser in saying that racism is a broadly human and cultural assumption in which there are “no neutral forces,” and which is typically perpetuated by cultural myths and narratives. Though writing in a Christian publication, even McConnell does not attribute the plights of minorities simply to failure of personal responsibility, implying that “the common explanation of economic disparity being due to laziness” is in fact an overgeneralization and a manifestation of racism. He also assumes racism to be a sin, antagonistic toward God and contrary to His nature. Finally, he succinctly states his diagnosis of racism within evangelicalism: “Opposition to the oppression and injustice of institutional racism is a widespread claim among Christians. The presence of racism within the church and within society, however, is clearly a continuing problem for Christians.”

In the heavily socio-theological Encyclopedia of Christianity, Gerhard Sauter broadly defines reconciliation in a social-ethics context: “The making of peace between classes, races, and nations.” Within ethics, he says, reconciliation primarily concerns social relations. In a Christian realm, Sauter believes that it remains unclear as to whether human reconciliation must “always bear reference to the preceding divine reconciliation [humans to Christ].” Taking a sociological view, Sauter also writes that reconciliation can only appear when active steps are taken “to change hardened relations, something that can take place only if there is hope for change.” He calls it a “healing power” that should involve not only present-day and future measures but also somehow eliminate the historical grounds of prejudice and division, though he does not specify how.

Hm.