Tribes and Nations

God is building a redeemed kingdom from every tribe and nation

Identity Politics and Critical Race Theory war against God's Plan

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Introduction

From Every Tribe and Nation

In God's big plan, He is building for himself a kingdom of people from every tribe and nation. This is a beautiful picture.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number,

from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 7:9

However, the history of fallen humanity is a litany of invasions, war and death. Generally, conflict has been over the right to the ownership and occupation of land - framed in the marxist categories of 'the oppressed vs the oppressors'. For many, their identity becomes intertwined with the land. A large portion of the Old Testament, including the book of Joshua, documents the graphic history of conflict over the Promised Land. These battles were more than conquest and the spoils of war. There was a spiritual dimension to them, hence the region is known as the Holy Land.

Disputes over land continue to this day, and they are not limited to the Israel / Palestine conflict. In every corner of the globe, down to your local street corner, people derive a large part of their identity from the nation in which they were born and from the locality where they live. In Australia, debate rages over who owns the land and who can afford to purchase property. Greed has rendered land ownership as the domain of a few and so the seeds of revolution are brewing.

As a society we are increasingly being classified into identity and racial categories along with tribal generational and ideological identities. We should learn from history. No single tribe or group has ancestors were 100% innocent or guilty. Because of our shared sinfulness, Christians recognise that ultimate reconciliation is only found through Jesus Christ and the universal forgiveness He offers every individual, tribe and nation the promise of redemption. Without denying our ethnic history, God calls us to find our deepest identity in a new paradigm. One where we don't store up treasures for ourselves here on earth and one where we see ourselves as part of a new unified family - God family.

Identity Politics

Dividing Australia

In the past few years, new identity theories have become mainstream. 'Critical theories' posit that some demographic, minority or 'oppressed' factor is stronger and more important than what unites us in national citizenship. Examples include Gender Theory, Queer Theory, Critical Race Theory (CRT). These critical theories are gouging divisions through previously cohesive people groups. What we need to recover is the Christian principle of a Biblical Critical Theory which unites us. God never recognise different races, rather He recognises just one race - the human race. This levelling of the value of all humanity is beautifully summed up in the following verse.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,

nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galations 3:28

In the United States, CRT has manifest itself in the aggressive Black Lives Matter movement. Perhaps that is because of the history that the US has with slavery. In Australia, racial divisions are generally more civilised, yet after decades where the divisions seemed to be closing, sadly once again divisions are growing deeper.

In recent years, public events increasingly open with ceremonies known as 'Welcome to Country'. These ceremonies vary in the statements made, but they acknowledge the indigenous as custodians of the land and honour indigenous elders past and present. Where appropriate, a measure of respect and acknowledge of history is suitable. However, the volume of these statement is overwhelming and often perceived as tokenistic by aboriginals if every conference speaker, every plane landing and every school or sporting ceremony recite the same words like a shibboleth. It has almost become a ritualistic prayer to precede our national anthem. And some of the ceremonial content is religious. Not every cultural background honours the things of the true and Living God. So, is there more to Welcome to Country than respect for Indigenous history?

The Voice

Australia's Referendum

In October 2023, Australians were required to vote in a referendum on whether to change the constitution. 55 years after the constitution was last changed to provide equality under law, the proposed change was to establish a new Indigenous Voice. The Voice was for indigenous Australians to have a unique say on all legislation and executive decisions.

During the referendum campaign, Australians were subject to insults and insinuations. The two main federal political parties have different positions on the referendum. Even within the aboriginal community, indigenous political and community leaders fall on both sides of the Yes and No positions. The Yes case expressed concern that even though all Australian's are equal under the law, the outcomes for Indigenous Australians are lagging far behind everyone else. Statistics bear this out. The No case expressed concern that the proposed legislation change is vague and would divide the nation. Poorly defined legislation and constitutional change could be costly and disputed, all while failing to improve indigenous outcomes.

As believers we recognise that all humans regardless of their skin colour have equal value and dignity. Human value and dignity comes from all of us being created in the image of God. Like Jesus, regardless of how we voted, we should care for the vulnerable and those in need of spiritual and physical help. We should consider what assistance can best come from individuals, churches and the government. In the end 61% of Australians voted to not change the constitution. This does not reflect a racist culture, but rather a desire to not divide the nation and community into two classes of citizens.

Past Injustice

Australia's History

There were both injustices and justices when the Europeans arrived. Some of those injustices we horrific such as the eradication of indigenous in the state of Tasmania, the introduction of alcohol and disease into aboriginal communities, and the blunt removable of aboriginal children from homes. For those affected by these public policies, there is a responsibility of the government to do their best to assist under a recovery ethic. Even though aboriginal communities were largely nomadic, some had a strong attachment to the land where their ancestors lived. In 1992, Australia's High Court ruled in favour of the Mabo case to address this injustice. The following year the federal government enacted legislation allowing indigenous Australians to make claims on Crown land as a means to make amends for past tribal lands.

But European arrivals also brought some good too which should not be ignored. The gospel of Jesus Christ was brought to aboriginal communities. Selected programs in those communities have improved indigenous lives. Those programs should continue and be enhanced and if voting Yes can be demonstrated to improve the lives of the indigenous, then a Yes vote should be considered. Voting No should not be an excuse to ignore the social plight of our indigenous brothers and sisters.

As the famous Midnight Oil song says 'How can we sleep when our beds are burning?' If we are guilty, we should make amends. However, if we are not guilty, then the next line 'Let’s pay the rent, Let's pay our share' could represent a new money grab by a few 'bureaucrats' at the expense of private property. Wisdom is needed. We should pray about this.

Equality and Equity

What does justice look like?

The main theology concern about identity politics and critical race theory is that rather than solve racial division and improve social outcomes it may actually exacerbate divisiveness and worsen outcomes for all Australians. In rejecting ongoing division, Jesus repudiates the eye for an eye ideology. Instead, He brings forgiveness and reconciliation both between God and humankind and also between humans of all backgrounds. It is only God who can assure ultimate justice - Cosmic Justice.

Jesus also brings a totally different perspective to race. Christian culture has consistently sought to bring an end to slavery and injustice, both in the 1st century - Philemon - and also in Western culture. Examples include William Wilberforce's successful campaign to abolish the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 17th century England and the Royal Navy's role in eradicating it. Thankfully, state sanctioned slave trade was never part of Australia's history.

As followers of Christ, we want to see all humans flourish. The results of the voice referendum are still yet to be determined. Regardless of the result, we should aim to make sure that Australia's legislative framework and its culture does not shift from the principle of equality under the law and towards the principle of equity by law. While those two words sound similar, they are world's apart in meaning. Consider the following video and framework chart.

EQUALITY - of Value

One Person, One Vote

Reconciliation for Present Generations

Justice by Results

Equal treatment

One Race, the Human Race

EQUITY - of Outcomes

Special Interest Groups

Reparations due to Prior Generations

Justice by Feelings

Non-Equal Treatment

Identity Politics

Implications

Contrasting Worldviews

Until the Prince of Peace returns, there will never be full peace on earth between people groups - either in Australia - or anywhere around the world. Still we should look at practical ways that we can live at peace with all peoples.

Nevertheless, we should make every effort to live peacablely with all men. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:16-18

We do not want to make current and future generations repent for sins which they themselves were not personally guilty of. Jesus came to free all people from guilt. Satan would love nothing less than to once again place us under the burden of collective guilt from which there can never be any forgiveness, reconciliation, or escape. If an individual has done wrong, then like Zacchaeus they should repent and seek to make reparations for their actions. However, making current and future generations atone for the sins of their ancestors is a form of never ending enslavement. Jesus is the one who has paid for our sins - once for all.