The God of Integration and Segregation
I was told a story by a friend, a while back, of how he was removed from a predominantly black high school, during the race riots of the late 1960s. I realized in myself, at the account of this decision to segregate students, that I had been educated to only believe that integration was right.
I have often thought about the issue of segregation, and my friend’s account was the seed of some theological musings. I admit, I marveled at the counter-integration move of that particular school system, but I am also sure, in my own thinking at least, that it was a prudent decision at the time. It was, in retrospect, a desperate measure for a desperate time.
First, watching the death of the drug addict, George Floyd, and the cover up by Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota, I realized race baiting is still a regular action.
Second, witnessing police officers, who serve predominantly black neighborhoods, being labeled “racists” by leftist hate mongers made me sad.
Third, the campaign by Democrats to defund the police just baffled my sensibilities. I knew exactly who would suffer in that scenario. Did they not know it? How could they not know it? They pressed ahead.
Next, the reports of early retirements spiking in police forces across the country was complemented by the retirement of big city police chief resignations. The common denominator that beggars belief was that they were all minority chiefs — the epitome of the fact that systemic racism was not in the police organizations of these cities.
Finally the heightened, even brazen, assassination attempts on police officers has been bewildering. Forty three police officers were murdered in the line of duty in 2020. The number rose to 73 in 2021. The final tally in 2022 will be over 100. There is very little outcry from the public. Frankly, it is appalling.
In thinking about these matters, theologically, I naturally began with the unity and harmony of Adam and Eve, which was very good (Gen 1–2). Sin, of course, ruined their relationship with God and immensely troubled their relationship with each other (Gen 3). Their sons were famous thereafter because of the world’s first murder scene. It became a familiar story, especially in man’s new endeavor, promulgated by the devil, “You will be like god (Gen 3:5).”
Competition sporadically led to military conflict (It still does!). In the Great Flood, we observe God’s first act of segregation. He separated Noah’s family from the rest of humanity, and then poured out His judgment on the population of the whole earth (Gen 6–9). At the tower of Babel in Genesis 11, we see God’s second act of segregation. He separated people from one another and confused their languages. Later, God segregated Lot and his little family from the wicked twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19).
In that second act, we see the beginning of tribes and nations. God has established each one and set the boundaries of their habitation. At times, these segregated groups would create alliances, to further their shared quest. These integrations would grow larger as the centuries passed.
The Bible reveals the tenuous relationship between the sons of Adam (humanity) and God their Creator. Men are described as ungodly, disobedient, evil-doers, and haters of God (Rom 1:30). God has segregated humanity from Himself and from one another (Gen 3, 11).
There is a natural, sinful tendency by man, to integrate for the common cause of rebellion against God. We have seen much of that spirit each summer in the United States. Arsonists have lit the American West on fire. Abortionists press on in their killing of the image of God in the womb. Murderers in our lawless cities have been very active, with only a 20% +/- case closure rate. Stealing (looting), killing, and destroying are all acts against the Law of God, hence, against God Himself.
There is yet another integration by God. It is similar to the gathering of Noah’s family to the ark he had built. In a much larger sense, Jesus Christ is gathering His chosen people, His family from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9). By His Spirit, He is integrating the people He has chosen to save, from the coming judgment that He will bring against sinful humanity, along with the heavens and earth themselves (2 Pet 3:10–12; Rev 6–18).
On the day of God’s vengeance and wrath (Acts 17:31), He will finish both his integration and segregation projects. When the final elect soul has been conceived into the world, then the Spirit of God will begin the consummation of integrating that last soul into the church, the kingdom of God on earth.
The nations, who have been busy trying to integrate themselves into a one world government, will have, for all intents and purposes, achieved their unity under the Antichrist, the man of sin and iconic false messiah (2 Thess 2; 1 Jn 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jn 1:7). Who are the nations gathering together to fight? It is Jesus Christ, the King of glory, who will return to integrate His resurrected church from the dead (Jn 5:28–29). He will judge those who do not belong to Him with fierce wrath (Rev 19:11–21).
At the same time, our Lord Jesus will also finish the final segregation of human history, when He sentences the justly condemned mass of humanity from all of history, then resurrected from the dead, to occupy their place in the eternal lake of fire (Rev 20:14–15).
In conclusion, let us see the God of the Bible, as One who integrates people and who segregates them. In doing both, He is good, right, and to be praised for the wisdom of His just judgments. Friend, consider, today, will you be integrated or segregated in the end?
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 18, 2022
