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The concept of Race in Christianity

According to Christianity, Race encompasses various meanings, primarily referring to all of humanity. It represents a metaphorical competition or journey involving perseverance and continuous effort in life. The text also highlights the unity of the human race through the belief in the Fatherhood of God and the importance of future generations, emphasizing both moral struggles and spiritual guidance. Further, it illustrates the role of Jesus, who teaches and leads individuals within this race, underscoring the significance of faith and community in achieving victory and progression.1
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Synonyms: Ethnicity, Contest, Event, Species, Lineage, Group, Nationality, Pursuit

In Swedish: Ras; In French: Course; In Finnish: Rotu; In Dutch: Race; In Malay: Perlumbaan; In Spanish: Carrera; In German: Wettrennen

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Race'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This is a metaphor for the challenges and duties in life, and it is possible to run it with cheerfulness if one has communion with God.[1] (2) This is the human race, which is united by the belief in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind, and for which the Gospel is intended.[2] (3) The race is a phrase of the one complete truth, which is the Gospel, and it is the consequence and the manifestation of the love of God, which delights to be known and possessed.[3] (4) The people who Jesus dominates and teaches, and the strong Son of God is the world's Teacher.[4] (5) The text describes patience as a condition of running with patience ‘the race that is set before us.�[5]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The text mentions victory for the individual, as for this, when the Kingdom of Christ is established.[6] (2) This refers to a group of people, and the text describes an individual's relationship to them and the actions that will save them.[7] (3) To the question, Whence came they? the answer is that they are the effect of a Divine curse to which the race is subject; though it is to be noted that no curse is pronounced on the first pair, but only on the serpent as the organ of temptation, and the ground which is cursed for man’s sake .[8] (4) This word is a translation of the Greek word 'genos,' which can refer to a class of people sharing a characteristic, as described in the text.[9] (5) Race, metaphorically representing seed, signifies a group of people sharing common ancestry or heritage, as described within the provided text's examples.[10]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) This is a set path that one must run with enduring perseverance, and one must not strike the air, but strive against a real adversary.[11] (2) The race is mentioned in the text, as man's development has taken the form most disadvantageous in the struggle of life, and also in relation to the varieties of race.[12] (3) The race has suffered morally and physically because the bad example copied by the Ishmaelites has proved a curse.[13]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) This refers to all of humanity.[14] (2) This refers to a group of people united by a common belief, indicating the shared faith of a community.[15] (3) This is a competition that must be undertaken, implying a contest of speed or endurance that needs to be completed.[16]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) This refers to the lineage of Saul and David, and the reason why their families were not mixed.[17]

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This is the group of people that were meant to continue on, after the wicked were removed, and the world received purification.[18] (2) This refers to the group that, after that very Life and Truth had entered into them in bodily form, might be able to return to the form and light of the Word.[19] (3) The term used to refer to mankind, who were given a law and prophets to guide them and to understand the divine.[20] (4) This metaphor refers to the spiritual journey or competition of faith, where those who are first will receive the reward.[21] (5) This refers to the human race, and it is mentioned in the context of those who will be burned up in a fire.[22]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: The city of God

(1) This term is used to describe the human race, and the text discusses the common language of the race, the division of the race, and the monstrous races of men.[23]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) The race is mentioned in relation to the salvation of Adam, which the sun from heaven gave on Sinai to Israel.[24]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Gnostic concept of 'Race'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) This is the one that is repairing to the Lord, in obedience to His voice, when the upper nature shall be taken up.[25] (2) The Race is the Race of the Mind, which the disciples must become to purify their souls from all earthly stain, and which is opposite to the flesh of unrighteousness and ignorance.[26]

From: Pistis Sophia

(1) The group which will be born and sing praises to the height, acknowledging the mystery revealed by the Lord.[27]