While reading Paul’s writings, I noticed a frequent problem that he addressed in the churches he planted. The problem was Jewish myths and speculations. This was certainly on the front burner of Paul’s mind, via the Holy Spirit, while writing to young church planters, Timothy and Titus. While writing to Timothy, Paul states,
“I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith…Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.” (1 Tim. 1: 3-4; 4:7)
While writing to Titus, Paul writes,
“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party…Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:10, 13-14)
Theologians speculate on the exact nature of the “myths” that Paul was alluding to. However, before we draw from some contextual clues which may give us an idea of what these myths may have been, lets look at the term “myths.”
What is a Myth?
The term “myth” comes from the Greek word mýthos, which means a false account, yet posing to be the truth; a fabrication (fable) which subverts (replaces) what is actually true. The myth(s) that were circulating in the Ephesian church where Timothy was pastoring, was believed as being factual. Due to the nature of the information that was being shared, according to Paul, these myths resulted in speculations. The term “speculations” in Greek is isḗtēsis, which means a meaningless question to investigate a specific practice. In so many words, the myths that the false teachers were introducing in Paul’s day, were producing speculations that was hindering the advancement of the kingdom of God.
It appears the myths and speculations that these false teachers were declaring, encompassed certain aspects of the Law (1 Tim. 1:6-7), were demonically influenced (1 Tim. 4:1), encouraged abstaining from marriage and certain foods (1 Tim. 4. 2-3), and taught that godliness was synonmous with material wealth (1 Tim. 6:5). The gravity of these concepts weighed heavily on Paul as he was writing to Timothy to warn the congregation to avoid these doctrines and to concentrate on growing in godliness through the gospel.
The Myth of Systemic Racism in 2020
Some things do not change. Currently, in the church, we are not contending with Jewish myths and speculations; rather, we are wrestling with cultural myths and speculations. And by taking a birds-eye view, the result of these myths and speculations have resulted in division and dissension from within the Church. Paul experienced the same results in his day when he wrote,
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people…” (1 Tim. 6:3-5)
The cultural myth that I am referring to is systemic racism. What has been posited by sociologists, pundits, celebrities, pastors, etc is that blacks suffer from systemic racism. In short, there is a system in place based on race that discriminates towards blacks. Whites typify being superior, while blacks are viewed as being inferior. Those who posit this ideology will point to events of police brutality towards blacks, subpar education in black areas, and the wealth income gap between blacks and whites. Those who posit this theory, base there conclusions primarily from racial disparities and anecdotal evidence without taking into consideration cultural practices and values that contribute to the alleged disparities. When all of this is taken into account, it leads to speculation in regards to systemic racism within the black community. In my view, the theory of systemic racism is at best speculation and at worst a totally dishonest aspect of a manipulative political agenda. Not only do many believe this myth, they will ostracize those who do not believe their theory.
I have written extensively, on how this contrived narrative is based off of misnomers, omissions of truth left out of the mainstream, and flat out manipulation. You can view my arguments in my previously written blog series “The Unholy Union of the Social Justice Movement and the Church” and “The Struggle for Racial Supremacy or Political Revolution”.
Several months ago, an article was written by The Western Journal entitled “Stats: Systemic Police Racism is a Myth”. The article cites Heather MacDonald the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute stating,
“A solid body of evidence finds no structural bias in the criminal-justice system with regard to arrests, prosecution or sentencing. Crime and suspect behavior, not race, determine most police actions.”
The article further displays how blacks make up 13% of the population; yet, made up 53% of homicide offenders and 60% of robberies. In addition, in 2019 police fatally shot nine unarmed blacks and 19 unarmed whites. While going through the article, it becomes evident that the theory of systemic racism in the context of police brutality is a false assertion. This myth has found its way in the church which has created dissension. Indeed, the police brutality argument (whites brutalizing blacks) is generally used as a launching pad to elaborate on the racial history of America. Some within the church have promoted secular terms such as “white privilege”, which suggest all whites have privilege over blacks. Due to whites having an advantage because of skin color, a portion of black church leaders have called for reparations. As a result of this speculative ideology invading the Church, segments within the Church have become increasingly polarized.
However, when it comes to systemic racism, the argument is one-sided and always comes from the perspective of whites “oppressing” blacks. Interestingly, the myth of systemic racism is not applied or even considered when blacks are the majority and whites are in the minority. For example, when one views the National Basketball Association (NBA), blacks represent approxmately 80% of the league as opposed to whites which makes up about 20% of the league. Black men make up about 6% of the entire US population while white men make up about 35% of the population. The average salary of an NBA player is 6 million dollars a year. With that being said, on paper, it would seem that there is racial discrimination towards whites. How can black males who only make up 6% of the population, and vastly come from low income communities, make up 80% of the NBA, and have an average salary of 6 million dollars a year? And how can it be that white males who make up 35% of the population, who largely come from middle to upper class neighborhoods, only be represented by 20% in the NBA? Can this be a case of systemic racism?
Or could it be that the black community values basketball more as opposed to whites (in general)? As being a black male, growing up in a predominate black community, I can testify that basketball is highly valued within the black community. Indeed, certain athletics (Football, Basketball, Track and Field) are highly valued in the black community. However, since basketball is highly valued within the culture of black America, in my view, it results in a great majority of professional basketball players being black. If this is the case in the NBA, can this not be the case in other industries that show a racial disparity favoring whites or other groups? Could be that academics and other particular industry interests are valued in other groups, which contribute to racial disparities in the workforce and etc? In short, just because racial disparities are apparent in certain industries, does not mean that systemic racism is the cause for the disparity.
Additional examples could be added, however, the above should help us understand that cultural values and factors have an effect on apparent racial disparities. Therefore, since this is the case, why are there many within the Church entertaining such speculations that Scripture forbids? Can we not observe that such speculations bring more harm than good? Remember what Paul wrote to Titus,
“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party…Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” (Titus 1:10, 13-15)
Those who promote such speculations and myths, run the danger of being consumed by them. In other words, these false concept(s) can dominate one’s thinking and worldview in such a way, they see everything through that lens. When this happens, that is evidence they have become defiled and are under the influence of the spirit of error (1 John 4:6) (See my previous blog Defilement of Spirit–The Danger of Bitterness, Sexual Immorality, and Polluted Worship).
May we avoid being consumed with all myths, including systemic racism, and obey the command that Paul gave Timothy,
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12)
