Refuting Kinism: Part 3: Galatians 3:28 ("neither Jew nor Greek")

(posts in this series: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)

Kinism is just a reformulation of the age-old heresy of "racial"
segregation.  Unlike biblical Christianity, which makes Jesus
Christ the basis for Christian unity and fellowship, kinism
makes "race" the basis of Christian unity and fellowship.

A refutation of the kinist view that says that “races” should be segregated is found in Galatians 3:28, which reads,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

If you raise this verse against a kinist, he might say something like this:  

“If you believe this verse refutes kinism, then you are saying that there are no distinctions whatsoever between people. Thus, for example, you are saying that it is permissible for men to marry men, since according to your interpretation there are no distinctions between male and female.”

However, one does not have to affirm this absurd interpretation to see how this verse refutes kinism. Galatians 3:28 refutes kinism in its emphasis on church unity and fellowhip. As John Calvin writes on the phrase “There is neither Jew nor Greek”:

“The meaning is, that there is no distinction of persons here, and therefore it is of no consequence to what nation or condition any one may belong: nor is circumcision any more regarded than sex or civil rank. And why? Because Christ makes them all one. Whatever may have been their former differences, Christ alone is able to unite them all.” John Calvin, Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians: Galatians 3:28 (Christian Classics Ethereal Library)

Interestingly, in the very chapter prior to Galatians 3:28, Paul rebukes Peter for separating himself from the Gentiles out of fear of the circumcision party:

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?’” (Galatians 2:11-14)

(Of course, fellowship is not the only thing at stake in Galatians--so is the doctrine of justification by faith alone [Galatians 5:4].)  Kinism, in demanding "racial" segregation, forbids Christians from eating with those of other "races."

“The meaning is, that there is no
distinction of persons here, and
therefore it is of no consequence
to what nation or condition any
one may belong ... Whatever may have
been their former differences,
Christ alone is able to unite
them all.” --John Calvin

A parallel passage to Galatians 3:28 reads:

“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:11)

The text then goes on to say:

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:12-16)

Paul affirms the necessity of fellowship between Christians of different people groups (e.g., Greek, Jew, barbarian, Scythian). They are to be patient with one another, bear with one another, and forgive one another. They are to engage in “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”

This is a clear repudiation of the kinist doctrine of “racial” segregation; for the context clearly indicates that Paul has in mind interpersonal relationships between those of different people groups.

Within this context Paul says “put on love.” But due to its doctrine of “racial” segregation, kinism naturally opposes Christians of different "races" loving one another. Love, as the context of this passage shows, includes the willingness to fellowship with those of different people groups.

Thus, as Brian Abshire writes,

“The distinguishing mark of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is love for the brethren—the commitment to do what is right and good for another regardless of personal cost (John 13:35, 15:12, Rms 5:8). Therefore, any doctrine or practice that makes unlawful distinctions between Christians based on race, ethnicity or national origin is a violation of the Lord’s most basic commandment to be as one and love one another and hence, a disciplinable offense (Gal 3:28, Rms 14:10,19 Phil 2:1ff).” Brian Abshire, The Royal Race of the Redeemed (August 14, 2010, International Institute for Christian Culture)

So, are you a kinist? If so, and if you desire to be segregated from Christians of other "races," you might just get your wish and be segregated from them for all eternity in Hell. One’s attitude toward God’s people reflects one's attitude towards God Himself:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

And Jesus says,  

“These things I command you, so that you will love one another. If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:17, 18)

 Kinism opposes the attitude of God Himself towards His people.  Contrary to God accepting and fellowshipping with His people unconditionally through the merits of Jesus Christ, kinism upholds accepting and fellowshipping with God's people conditionally through the "merits" of "race."  While Scripture says, ^"Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:7) (NASB), kinism says, "Reject one another on the basis of 'race'."

Unlike biblical Christianity, which makes Jesus Christ the basis for Christian unity and fellowship, kinism makes "race" the basis of Christian unity and fellowship.  Thus kinism advocates worshiping one's "race" and not Jesus.  Kinism is heresy.