What does the Bible say about White Nationalism?

White Nationalism is the belief that white people should have numeric, political, and cultural dominance in countries they view as traditionally white. This movement argues that policies such as restricting immigration can preserve culture and economic prosperity for white people. Critics accuse the ideology of promoting discrimination and hate and opposing diversity and equality. Although the Bible doesn’t explicitly address White Nationalism, it condemns racism as sin.

According to the Bible, people of all races and skin colors have equal value in the eyes of God. Genesis teaches that all people are descendants of Adam and Eve: “Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living” (Genesis 3:20). Paul preached the same historical truth in Athens, Greece, when he said, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:26). This means all people have a common ancestry.

God also created all people of every race in His image: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). This implies that all people—regardless of ethnicity or skin color—are born with God-given value and worth. These fundamental biblical facts unite all people, whatever their skin color.

According to the Bible, racism is a sin. Prejudice, discrimination, and violence done to others because of their race are offensive to God. The underlying heart issues that lead to such behavior, such as hatred toward others, are also sinful. Racist beliefs and behaviors violate Jesus’ teaching on the second greatest commandment—loving others as yourself: “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:31).

There are only a few verses in the Bible that refer to a person’s skin color, but none of them describe a white person. For instance, Esau had red skin: “The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau” (Genesis 25:25). In addition, the bride in Song of Solomon had dark skin: “Dark am I, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon” (Song of Solomon 1:5).

White Nationalism believes white people are a distinct race. Yet, dictionary definitions of the term "white" (as it relates to people) refer to skin color—not race. However, some definitions note that many white people are of European descent. While the Bible doesn’t refer to “white” as a race, it does contain references to people from Europe who may have had pale skin.

For example, Luke mentions that Cornelius was Italian but doesn’t specify his skin color (Acts 10:1). Just like people from Asia or Africa, those with European ancestry are born sinners (Romans 3:23). They aren’t more or less evil than anyone else. And just like all others, God offers them salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Historically, some people have used the Bible to justify racism. This is sinful. Such interpretations are illogical and shameful. People who promote such views are false teachers; they are “men of depraved minds” (2 Timothy 3:8). The good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness to racists through the gospel. He calls people who hold such views to repent of their sin and put their trust in Him for salvation (Mark 1:15).

Paul emphasizes that all who follow Jesus, regardless of their race, are one in Him: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). The gospel is for all people without discrimination. This is evident when God shows John a scene of heaven, and he sees a variety of people, white and non-white, united in their worship of Jesus. He says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).