The Racial Justice Advocacy forum is an ecumenical network of representatives from historical churches in Britain seeking to advocate for Black and Brown Christians in the UK – with a particular focus, but not limited to, reparations. Our advocacy service is a bridge between the church, black and brown communities and the government, undergirded by our collective theological positions on justice for those who experience racial or ethnic discrimination.

Many Black and Brown people in Britain are people of faith; they love the Bible and believe it shapes who they are and what they do. We want to propose three theological underpinnings from the scriptures to enhance our racial justice advocacy work: Creation, Incarnation and Reconciliation.

Creation: Creation theology (Imago Dei) furnishes us with the understanding that we are all created in God’s image and that this trace is discernible. Therefore, affirming our equality, human dignity and respect (Human dignity and equality)

Incarnation: The incarnation of Jesus expresses God’s solidarity with humanity in its diversity, weakness, and vulnerability, giving us a framework for God’s mission in identifying with the oppressed, marginalised, and disenfranchised. (Divine solidarity)

Reconciliation: The suffering and death of Jesus on the cross are undergirded by understanding reconciliation between humanity and God and between divided communities. Reconciliation, therefore, gives us a language of pursuing a just integrated society where all humanity is reconciled and flourishing. (Just society)
 

This theological framework will help the RJAF seek transformational change within the Church and the world in rejecting the sin (understood as falling short of the glory of God) of racism.  Through our discipleship and testimony, we take personal and collective responsibility to challenge and eradicate all forms of racism.

Further on, through prayer, love and robust challenge, our journey or pilgrimage of transformation will centre on holiness, love and spiritual conversion.  As we recognise and embrace God in our encounters with the ‘other’, our theological position will drive and fuel strategy, the production of resources and action demanding and modelling cultural and institutional change.