White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White

by Daniel Hill

same level of environmental “enlightenment.” I’m not minimizing the importance of holding to a personal opinion or conviction on a topic. Scripture is clear that we as Christ’s followers are to align our beliefs with the teachings of God rather than conform to the ways of the world. The problem comes when we subtly shift from appropriate conviction to sinful comparing. The Pharisee in this parable was sinfully comparing in order to separate himself from the people he judged to be unworthy of God’s love and favor. Self-righteousness points to a deep foundational reality. It has to do with identity and how we pursue an inner sense of belonging. It has to do with our sense of being right with God, with the world, and with our neighbors.