What happens when a racially charged issue hits the headlines? People pick sides. The media picks sides. Politicians pick sides. And, Christians seem eager to line up as well. But, I would encourage you to notice that when the issue hits the fan, the sides seem to fit into two categories: those who blame the issue on corporate or national sins and those who place blame on the individual’s involved. A gun goes off and one side says, “We need national reform.” while the other side says, “People need to take individual responsibility.” My contention is that these lines are seen in almost every racially charged event in our nation. My contention is that the church must change the game if it is going to ever be truly Multi-ethnic. But we will need to change our thinking first. So, think through this with me….
Corporate Responsibility: A Biblical Category to Think about.
More than likely you have considered before your individual responsibilities toward God and man. You know to love others, to pray for others, to treat others as you would be treated. But have you considered that in addition to speaking about individual ethics the Bible also speaks of corporate (group) ethics. What do I mean?
Though it can be a foreign concept for many of us, other cultures throughout the world are keenly aware of corporate (group) responsibilities. In making decisions they often consider the group over and above the individual. In passion and emphasis they tend to focus on the group’s responsibilities and concerns. On the other hand, many of us in America hardly even stop to think about the group implications of our decisions. We make decisions and often fail to consider the impact our decisions will have on our town, our neighborhood or our church. Other cultures are more concerned about their nations ambitions whereas many in the United States are focused mainly on self ambitions.
So, which of these emphases is right? Which is taught in Scripture? The short answer is both. Both demonstrate the character of God and both are gifts of God’s common grace. Yet–and this is important to note–both are broken under sin and can therefore lead to injustice if untempered by the truth of God’s word and the proper Biblical balancing of the other.
Does the Bible teach Corporate Ethics
As we take a moment to look at Scripture. Let me say that I’m not attempting to fully unpack any of these Biblical accounts. Nor am I attempting to fully flesh out the truths of corporate sin, oppression or righteousness. I do want to show that (in addition to individual ethics) the Bible teaches the category of corporate ethics. I think that an awareness of corporate ethics can help us better identify with the concerns and passions of folks not like us. I am grateful to my fellow Pastor at Christ Church, Kirk Alexander for most of these following notes on Corporate sin in the Bible.
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