Writer suggest Jesus may have struggled with racism

"Na na na na na na. I can't hear you."

They've got their fingers in their ears over at Associated Baptist Press, because a brown brother, Miguel De La Torre (if that is his real name), has suggested that Jesus may have struggled with racism, just like today's Christians.

Our faith tells us that anyone can come to Jesus. The evangelistic message is that Jesus will turn no one away. We can come just as we are, ill and diseased. All who seek healing will find salvation and liberation in the arms of Jesus, for his unconditional love accepts everyone -- regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Or does it? Matthew 15:21-28 recounts the story of a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus desperately seeking a healing for her daughter.

The Canaanites during Jesus' time were seen by Jews as being a mixed race of inferior people, much in the same way that some Euro-Americans view Hispanics today, specifically the undocumented. The Canaanites of old -- like Latino/as of our time -- did not belong. They were no better than "dogs."

For this reason Jesus' response to the Canaanite woman is troublesome. When she appealed to Jesus to heal her sick child, our Lord responded by saying: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It is not good to take the bread of the children and throw it to the dogs."

No matter how much I try to redeem the text, I cannot ignore the fact that Jesus called this woman of color a dog! I am forced to ask the uncomfortable question: Was Jesus a racist?

If you have a chance, read the entire article. De La Torre makes some excellent points. If you have the stomach, read some of the knuckle dragging comments. They're passing around $10 words like a big bowl of cheetos.

Thanks, J-Walk Blog