articles and videos covering the questions and issues of racism, race, racial equality, and grace Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:47:29 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/clear-ways-the-bible-teaches-us-to-honor-freedom-and-human-dignity.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/clear-ways-the-bible-teaches-us-to-honor-freedom-and-human-dignity.html Whitney Hopler https://www.crosswalk.com/author/whitney-hopler/ Freedom and human dignity are ideas that people have fought for throughout history. They’re about how much value each person has and their right to live without being controlled or mistreated. The Bible has a lot to say about these important topics. While some parts of history have seen the Bible misused to justify terrible things like slavery, its core message actually emphasizes the importance of freedom and the God-given worth of every human being.Let’s explore six lessons from Scripture about freedom and human dignity: 1. Love for our neighbors is the foundation for both dignity and freedom (Matthew 22:37-40).Loving our neighbors is at the heart of what the Bible teaches on human dignity and freedom. Jesus identified that as one of the two greatest commandments. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says to a man who asked what commandment in God’s law is most important: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”If we truly love our neighbors as ourselves, we’ll naturally want them to live with freedom and dignity. Loving our neighbors involves working to make sure they’re treated fairly, that their rights are respected, and that they have opportunities to thrive. When we really love our neighbors, we stand up against injustice when we see it, we speak out against evil for those who can’t speak for themselves, and we help people in need. We can’t actually love our neighbors and do nothing to help them while they’re mistreated or denied their basic human rights. We also can’t limit this kind of love to those who look like us, think like us, or agree with us.The Bible includes strangers, enemies, and people on the margins of society as our neighbors. No person is excluded from that. So, to act on Jesus’ call to love our neighbors as ourselves, we need to acknowledge every person’s inherent worth as a fellow human being created in God’s image. When we do so, we can help create societies where everyone can experience true freedom and live with dignity.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pixelheadphoto  Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/ways-christians-can-recognize-and-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/ways-christians-can-recognize-and-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-day.html Clarence L. Haynes Jr. https://www.crosswalk.com/author/clarence-l-haynes-jr/ Each year, on the third Monday in January, the nation honors the life and inspirational legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While renowned for leading Civil Rights marches and delivering powerful speeches filled with unwavering conviction, Dr. King's impact resonated far beyond these public displays. King was a visionary leader who challenged the nation to meet its ideals, inspiring change through his powerful words and actions. He stood for justice, equality, and love at a time in history when many were resistant to change. Now, nearly 60 years after his passing, the question remains: How do we honor what he fought for? While we’ve made progress as a nation, the echoes of inequality still ring loudly, reminding us that Dr. King's dream remains a work in progress.Our unique Christian perspective allows us to reflect on his legacy, as his beliefs closely align with Jesus' teachings. So, how can we recognize and celebrate Dr. King in a way that truly honors his life? The answer is simple yet profound: by living out the ideals he so passionately supported. To do that, we must take an honest look at where we are today and compare it to the vision he shared for a just and loving society.In this article, I’ll share some of Dr. King’s most powerful quotes—words that still speak to us today—and explore practical ways we can use them as a guide to celebrate his legacy and make a difference in the world.Here are five ways Christians can recognize and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day:Photo Credit: ©Wikimedia Commons  Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/why-should-christians-celebrate-juneteenth.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/why-should-christians-celebrate-juneteenth.html Vivian Bricker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/vivian-bricker/ Christians should celebrate Juneteenth because it is the anniversary of the day when our fellow brothers and sisters were finally set free. This beautiful holiday can show how far we have come in seeking unity. Tue, 18 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/what-is-juneteenth.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/what-is-juneteenth.html Amber Ginter https://www.crosswalk.com/author/amber-ginter/ Juneteenth was first proclaimed June 19, 1865, when previous slaves in Galveston, Texas, were declared free. This day not only represented independence and political liberty, but a new way of life. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 02:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/what-10-christian-leaders-had-to-say-on-the-issue-of-racism.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/what-10-christian-leaders-had-to-say-on-the-issue-of-racism.html Veronica Olson Neffinger https://www.crosswalk.com/author/veronica-neffinger/ The U.S. -- and the world -- has been wrestling with issues of racial equality for centuries. In America in recent times, the issues of racism and equality have been particularly at the forefront of our national discourse, with many Christian leaders speaking out against racism and for reconciliation. Ultimately, many Christian leaders have acknowledged that there is much injustice to face and much work to be done, but that the Gospel is essential to true and lasting reconciliation. Here are 10 quotes from Christian leaders on the issues of racism, equality, and what the Church can do to work for justice and unity.Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/ktsimage Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:40:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/practical-ways-to-honor-martin-luther-king-jrs-legacy.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/practical-ways-to-honor-martin-luther-king-jrs-legacy.html Denise Kohlmeyer https://www.crosswalk.com/author/denise-kohlmeyer/ For most people, the name Martin Luther King, Jr. is synonymous with the American civil rights movement. Perhaps he, of anyone in America, had the greatest impact and influence on not only African Americans but on all Americans and throughout the world. This is why Americans of all colors should honor him and affirm their own commitment to fighting for equality and justice.This day—which we celebrate this year on January 15—is typically observed with events such as marches, rallies, and speeches by politicians and civil rights leaders. Yet, not all of us can participate in those. In light of what is happening in America at the moment, however—with the influx of migrants, the war in Europe and Israel, spurring prejudice and racial hatred to increase—we can use this day to reflect on our own hearts and on the principles of racial equality—for all races—and nonviolent social change Dr. King espoused.Photo Credit: ©Wikimedia Commons  Fri, 12 Jan 2024 13:45:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/martin-luther-king-jr-how-his-faith-shaped-the-civil-rights-movement.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/martin-luther-king-jr-how-his-faith-shaped-the-civil-rights-movement.html DaySpring Blog Dr. King’s faith and his passion for justice and equality were inextricably linked. It was impossible for him to live for one without the other. Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/ways-to-live-fully-awake-to-gods-heart-about-racism.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/ways-to-live-fully-awake-to-gods-heart-about-racism.html Denise Kohlmeyer https://www.crosswalk.com/author/denise-kohlmeyer/ It is a daily challenge to keep my heart soft and attuned to God’s heart toward the oppressed, the unfortunate, the marginalized, and in this particular case those who are ethnically and racially not like me. Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:20:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/inspiring-christian-black-women-who-impacted-change.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/end-racism/inspiring-christian-black-women-who-impacted-change.html Lisa Samra https://www.crosswalk.com/author/lisa-samra/ Be inspired by these glimpses into the lives of Seven Christian Black women motivated by the truth of Scripture to impact change in the church and society. Wed, 01 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/do-we-strive-for-gods-justice-or-our-own.html https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/do-we-strive-for-gods-justice-or-our-own.html Melissa Henderson https://www.crosswalk.com/author/melissa-henderson/ We all long for justice, and we can all tell that the world is not a just place. But should we leave justice up to God, or seek to achieve it ourselves? Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:03:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:47:29-05:00