Counsel #6 — Ethnic Pride

Picture: Counsel #6 — Ethnic PrideCI 47.1

The New Testament does not promote any kind of favored nation status.^{[45]Acts 10:34, 35} In Ephesians, Paul, the former persecutor of Christians, converted to an ardent defender of Christ, proclaimed a new, integrated humanity, united at the cross.^{[46]Ephesians 2:14, 15, 22} Later, he even declared his former ethnic pride and nationalism as garbage.^{[47]Philippians 3:5, 8}CI 47.2

This integrated humanity he wrote about is not an undifferentiated group. The new humanity in Christ will have differences of language, culture, and nationality, but the differences will enrich the people of God, rather than divide them.^{[48]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/foundations-for-our-common-humanity/}CI 47.3

“Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20 NKJVCI 47.4

“Brethren who could work together in harmony if they would learn of Christ, forgetting that they are Americans or Europeans, Germans or Frenchmen, Swedes, Danes, or Norwegians, seem to feel that if they should blend with those of other nationalities, something of that which is peculiar to their own country and nation would be lost and something else would take its place.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 187CI 47.5

Reflect: What is the difference between religion tainted by unhealthy nationalism and different ethnic cultures of true worship?CI 47.6