Did the Bible Promote White Supremacy? A Biblical Perspective on Race

Because the spread of Christianity in Africa was accompanied by the colonization of the continent, many Africans perceive religion as a Western colonial tool for the continuous enslavement and domination of Africa.

As a result, the Bible has come under frequent criticism, especially from prominent African intellectuals such as Prof. Wole Soyinka of Nigeria, Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba of Kenya, Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o of Kenya, and many others.

They argue that the West portrayed Jesus as a white man in the Bible to further promote the narrative of white supremacy. They also claim that every significant figure mentioned in the Bible was depicted as white.

How Accurate Are These Arguments?

Let's examine the claims closely. Although the Bible does not explicitly identify any individual as black-skinned, neither does it specifically identify anyone as white-skinned. A person's skin color is rarely mentioned in the Bible because it holds no significance in the fundamental message of the Scriptures.

However, we can say with a fair degree of certainty that the Bible does mention black people. Many scholars believe that Moses' wife, Zipporah, referred to in Numbers 12:1, was black, as she was a Cushite. Cush is an ancient name for a region in Africa, corresponding to modern-day Sudan.

In Song of Solomon 1:5, the Shulammite woman is described as dark-skinned:
"I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon."

Some scholars suggest that Bathsheba, mentioned in 2 Samuel 11:3, may have been black. Others believe that the Queen of Sheba, who visited King Solomon in 1 Kings 10:1, was of African descent.

Additionally, both Simon of Cyrene, mentioned in Matthew 27:32, and Simon called Niger, referenced in Acts 13:1, were likely black. Niger means "black" in Latin, further reinforcing this belief.

The Ethiopian eunuch, mentioned in Acts 8:37, was almost certainly black. Ethiopians are referenced about 40 times in the Bible, and they were undoubtedly black, as Ethiopia has historically been a black African nation. In Jeremiah 13:23, the prophet asks:

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?"

This verse was referring to black skin.

The Biblical Perspective on Race

Many Bible scholars believe that black people are descendants of Noah’s son Ham. However, when it comes to race and skin color, the Bible remains largely silent. It does not elevate one race above another but instead focuses on the condition of the heart.

The gospel is universal good news, meant for all—black, white, and every race created by God. Rather than fixating on skin color, we should focus on the soul and the message of salvation that Jesus Christ brought to all humanity.

I appreciate your time here. God bless you!