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Critical Race Theory (CRT) or Critical Biblical Truth (CBT)
Critical Race Theory (CRT) or Critical Biblical Truth (CBT)
"Know no man after the flesh..." (2 Corinthians 5:16a)
Gary Kelly
What is Paul implying when he says “know no man after the flesh?” Is he
revealing we should not consider the temporary “flesh,” or body of a person
above the eternal spirit or “inner man,” as does God? Paul is simply proclaiming
what the Lord considers or looks upon in each of us? Shouldn’t we do likewise
when we consider each other?
“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of
his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for
man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1
Samuel 16:7) See also Luke 16:15, Romans 8:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Galatians
5:19-26, 6:8)
To clarify the importance of the spirit above the “flesh,” consider that our
body is only a temporary “house” for our spirit. The “me” Job refers to is the
spirit or “inner man” as also depicted throughout the Word of God.
“You have clothed me with skin and flesh and have knit me with bones and
sinews.” (Job 10:11) “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of
the Almighty gives them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do
the aged understand judgment. Therefore I say, Listen to me! I will also show my
knowledge.“ (Job 32:8-10)
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return
unto God who gave it.’ (Ecclesiastes 12:7) For as the body without the spirit is
dead, so faith without works is dead also.“ (James 2:26) “But let it be the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of
a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. “ (1 Peter
3:4, See also 2 Corinthians 5:1-10)
To expand on this critical Biblical truth note that Adam, even though his body
was “formed from the dust of the ground,” did not become a “living soul” until
God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Genesis 2:7) God created
man in His own Image, a trinity, spirit, soul, and body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Our bodies are where our spirit dwells and where the Spirit of God dwells when
we are “Born Again.” (John 3:5-7, 14:15-24, Luke 17:21, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17,
6:19) What part of us communicates with God? How will we "appear before
the judgment seat of Christ?"
That being the case, we can now appreciate the full message and ministry of
Christ as He expresses the importance of our spirit. (Matthew 11:25-27, John
3:5-7, 4:23-24, 6:63, 14:17, 16:12-13, etc.) Notably Jesus declared: “And THIS
is eternal life, that they might KNOW You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ
whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) And Jesus emphasized when He warns: "I
never KNEW you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23) For more
on knowing God see “Trinity” at EarsToHear.net.
With this significance on recognizing and respecting a person’s eternal spirit
and not his temporary appearance (flesh or body), what does it reveal about
“Critical Race Theory” undermining the words of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.:
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true
meaning of its creed: ...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal." ..."I have a dream that my four children will one day live
in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the
content of their character. ...And if America is to be a great nation this must
become true."