“The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.” – Psalm 13:33

In reading the Bible, people often uncover truths that have been overlooked, leaving humanity blind to the reality of the world around us. One such truth is the understanding that there is only one human race, not multiple races. According to the Bible, the term ‘race’ refers to the whole of humanity. Words like ‘tribes’ or ‘clans’ were used to describe different groupings within this singular human race.

In my three-part series, Related from Genesis, I argue that the concept of distinct ‘races’ is biologically unfounded. An argument that is supported by scientific evidence. Anthropologist Dr. Spencer Wells (2002) traced the genetic origins of all living humans, using DNA evidence to show that all Y-chromosomes found in men today can be traced back to a common ancestor, originating in Africa. Wells explains that as humans migrated and settled in various regions over tens of thousands of years, minor genetic mutations caused gradual differences in appearance. These changes include variations in skin and hair color. However, these changes do not support the idea of separate biological races. They show how humanity came from a single biological origin. Dr. Frank Turek, a renown Christian apologist, rejects macro-evolution. He disputes the theory that humans evolved from apes. Instead, he explains that micro-evolution has taken place within humanity. This explains the gradual change in human appearance due to minor genetic mutations in DNA over time.

These findings show that all humans who have ever lived, come from the same biological origin, making us descendants of the same people. Well’s research shows that we are in fact seeing minor, natural adaptations. These adaptations show humanity’s journey across different regions of the world. Both sound scientific discovery and theological perspectives do not validate using the term ‘races’ as a biological concept. The term ‘races’ is therefore a social construct, not a biological reality. It is crucial to remember that Darwin’s theory of humanity’s macro-evolution from ape to human remains just that, a theory. The theory is highly criticised for its inconsistencies and arguably the foundation to scientific racism.

The term ‘races’ represents an outdated social construct. Historically, it has been employed to divide humanity in ways that have led to horrific atrocities in human history. Theories such as Darwin’s theory of evolution where humans could potentially resemble apes fuelled many racist ideologies in the 19th and 20th century (Jeynes, 2010). An example being, Morton’s skull shape theory (read Related from Genesis Part 1 for more on Morton’s theory). In the writing of his book Crania Americana, Samuel Morton glorified European skull shapes, therefore concluding their superiority over other ‘races’. In the book he separates humanity into different “species” based on skull shapes. This book is now seen to be the greatest example of scientific racism. With no surprise, Charles Darwin highly endorsed Morton’s research (Cambridge University, 2023). Theories such as these have been tied to the division of the human race. They have contributed to a narrative that separates humans into distinct groups based on physical appearance. These theories suggest the existence of different ‘kinds’ of people, a biological term that should only be used in reference to different animal species not humans. This distorted interpretation has been used to assert the superiority of one group over another. The term ‘races’ has gradually embedded itself into the English language, misleadingly used to describe biological differences among humans. Therefore, I avoid using the term ‘races’ to describe different groupings within humanity as historically, it was a concept used to push racist agendas.

Historically, the term ‘races’ was used to divide humanity into groups, often implying the existence of ‘superior’ or ‘inferior’ sub-species within the human race. The concept of different human ‘races’ emerged in the 18th century, driven by racist ideologies from scientists. Pro-slavery institutions used these ideas to elevate the so-called ‘European race.’ They used these ideas to justify the enslavement of supposedly inferior ‘races’ (Smedley, 2011). Anthropologist Ashley Montagu was a prominent figure on this topic. He criticised the term ‘races’ for its historical association with dividing humanity into groups that supported harmful ideologies. Montagu argued that the term ‘ethnicities’ offers a more accurate and meaningful concept. He emphasised that the term “ethnic group (has greater) heuristic value (as it) raises questions and doubts which lead to clarification and discovery” (Gupta et al., 2018). Montagu’s perspective suggests that the term ‘ethnicities’ allows deeper exploration and understanding, particularly in light of globalisation and the evolving nature of mixed ethnic heritages, an experience reflected in individuals like myself, where the concept of ethnic identity is blended across cultures (Montagu, 1962, cited in Gupta et al., 2018). Therefore, while using the term ‘race’ to refer to all of humanity isn’t inherently wrong, pluralising it to refer to ‘races’ divides humanity into groups with no biological basis.

As a Christian who regards the Word of God as the ultimate authority and foundation of truth, I do not believe that humans originated from animals. I also do not believe that humans can be separated into different biological categories like animals. I often emphasise the importance of questioning everything heard or said. Scripture even tells us in Genesis 19:9, “From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the Earth”. If science confirms and God asserted from the beginning of time, that all people on Earth belong to one human race, it becomes clear that the term ‘races’ is a social fabrication which has been applied to fuel evil racist agendas, such as ethnic cleansing, slavery and discrimination. This emphasises the troubling reality, that even those considered intelligent or ordinary members of society can harbour profound evil within them. If everyone were to view humanity through God’s lens, where people such as Adolf Hitler would see his Jewish brothers and sisters as distant cousins as opposed to an inferior human specie, then perhaps we would see the end of ethnic injustices and deeply rooted prejudices.

My message is simple: we are all part of one human race, not a collection of separate races. Understanding the true meaning of race makes the concept of different races inaccurate and misleading. My own mixed ethnicity leads me to question the significance of such ethnic classifications, especially since my own social ethnicity, White-Hispanic, is not recognised in the UK but is in the US. This emphasises the social construct behind race and ethnicity, where these classifications vary significantly from country to country. Therefore, I avoid describing myself as mixed-race, as it appears the term is biologically incorrect. Instead, I prefer to identify as someone of mixed ethnicity, which more accurately reflects my background without implying the existence of distinct human races.

Therefore, I reject using the term ‘races’ in everyday language, as this term’s misuse echoes the outdated notion that humans are different species, which is only possible in animals. This terminology has crept into our language, and we need to rethink its use carefully. We should embrace our unity as one human race, as both science and God reveal, whilst recognising the diversity of our different ethnicities. Although the concept of ethnicity remains scientifically debatable, it provides a useful social framework. It helps in understanding the varied groups within humanity. For we must still acknowledge the very real struggles faced by individual groups due to skin colour, religious beliefs or political views. For, recognising the social construct of ethnicities remains necessary in addressing these issues. I will delve deeper into this topic next week. However, by acknowledging that we are all part of one human race rather than separate ‘races’, could help bring us a step closer to eradicating fundamental prejudices. Understanding our shared ancestry reveals that far more unites us than divides us. This is a truth essential if we are to see unity, love and peace among all nations. 

References

Cambridge University. (2023). Skulls in print: Scientific racism in the transatlantic world. (online) Available at: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/skulls-in-print-scientific-racism-in-the-transatlantic-world (Accessed 26 September 2024).

Jeynes, W.H., 2010. Race, racism, and Darwinism. Education and Urban Society, 43(5), pp.535-559. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013124510380723 (Accessed 30 September 2024)

Montagu, A., 1962. ‘The concept of race’. In C.E. James, C. Andersen, G.-E. Galabuzi, R.C.A. Maaka and T. Das Gupta, eds. Race and Racialization. Canadian Scholars, 2018, pp. 15-24.

Smedley, A. and Smedley, B. (2011). Race in North America : Origin and Evolution of a Worldview. New York: Westview Press.

Wells, S., 2002. A Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey. Princeton University Press, Princeton.