Christianity (De)constructs Racism

A Biblically-grounded educational series to deconstruct racism and pursue beloved community

Christianity (De)constructs Racism is a small group study on how the Christianity of Jesus is a powerful deconstructive force against America’s original sin of racism.

Gospel Transformation

Using a Gospel framework that is Scripture-based and courageously anti-racist, participants gain both a Gospel understanding of racism and the teachings of mainstream racial equity movements.

Participants are guided through the profound meanings and implications for sound racial analysis that can lead to holistic actions. From Friday evening through Sunday morning, the 10 hour course provides a thick and true historical narrative to show the distinct nature of America’s original sin of racism. The authors of this guide have taken great care to accurately present racial equity understandings, while providing a Gospel framework to evaluate, enrich, and embellish those teachings.

The aim is for people raced as white to join people of color in combating new and emerging forms of racism by understanding the full picture of historical racism and the forces that fueled slavery and violent domination.

The Course

Christianity (De)constructs Racism is racial equity training for people exploring faith implications while striving to keep the faith and finish the real human race for wholeness and holiness.

The course includes discussion, contemplation, and prayer and is led by experienced facilitators who operate in both privileged and marginalized communities. They share their authentic life and faith experiences with authority, humility, and vulnerability.

The Curriculum

  • Genesis 1:26-27. The Image of God and Dominion were perverted in order to justify slavery and taking land in the colonies. Race is not Biblical, but a social construct, created historically to justify slavery. We study the historical creation of race and the impact of slavery. text goes here

  • Genesis 11 contemplates the pitfalls of a single dominant culture. We address White Privilege and continue the history of race in American from the founding to post Civil War.

  • Galatians 3:28 teaches all are one in Christ. In this lesson, we define racial equity, prejudice, and racism; review Biblical evidence that defines racism as a sin; and review historical racial progress and the backlash that these movements faced.

  • Just as Jesus taught Nicodemus in John 3:1-10 what it means to be born again, we must be born again with new perspectives toward racism and our fellow humans. This lesson covers history starting with the Civil Rights Act of 1866, meritocracy and transformation (Romans 12:1-2)

  • In this session, we define institutional racism and examine Mark 8:22-26, Jesus’ healing of the blind man at Bethsaida, awakening and revival. We cover the New Deal, the GI Bill, and Civil Rights.

  • We discuss Romans 12:1-2 for a transformed and renewed perspective that Dr. King and others envisioned for beloved community in America.

  • In our final session, we will have a free format discussion to review and reflect on what we’ve learned.

This curriculum was co-authored by Rev. Dr. Keith Daniel and Tom Doege.

Co- Author and Lead Facilitator

Keith is an ordained American Baptist minister, co-founder, Resilient Ventures, LLC and Owner of Madison Consulting Group, LLC. Keith is a Christian Community Development practitioner, serves on the boards of faith-driven NPOs and church-based initiatives.

Rev. Dr. Keith Daniel

Co- Author

Tom owns Droege Computing Services and is co-founder of Resilient Ventures, LLC. Tom’s time in Christian mission and church leadership positions combined with intentional learning and advocacy for racial reconciliation and racial equity led him to initiate the piloting of CDR and a deeper friendship and partnership with Keith to pursue economic justice.

Tom Doege

This course is available offsite upon request. Click below to get request a course facilitators for your group.

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“Awareness of and sensitivity to ethnic and racial issues is not some foreign issue for social justice warriors. It is Christianity 101.”

David E. Prince, Preaching About Race: Keeping the Big Picture in View