When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity

by Grace Ji-Sun Kim

When Asian Americans bring in Asian concepts to help expand our understanding of God, people begin to shout syncretism and claim it is not real Christianity. White people pretend that white Eurocentric male Christians never syncretized their beliefs, practices, and traditions. Many white people actually believe that their Christianity is pure, authentic, and the only true form of Christianity divinely given to white people for all of humanity. They want to share this belief to all peoples around the globe. However, we must acknowledge that Christianity is not pristine but tainted by cultural, contextual, and historical influences. This is true not just of people of color’s understanding of Christianity but also of white people’s version of Christianity. It is good to have multiple readings of theology and Christianity, as it helps widen our perspective and understandings of God. Every people, nation, and social location has something to contribute to a fuller, deeper, more meaningful picture and comprehension of God.