📖 Biblical Definition
Scripture condemns the elevation of any ethnic group as inherently superior. God made from one blood all nations (Acts 17:26). Peter learned "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34-35). In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek (Galatians 3:28). The heavenly vision includes every nation, tribe, tongue, and people (Revelation 7:9). No ethnic group holds a privileged position before God apart from faith in Christ.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture.
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Not defined in 1828. Webster would have addressed it through PREJUDICE and PARTIALITY. Ethnocentrism is corporate prejudice — a people's unjust partiality toward their own group.
📖 Key Scripture
• Acts 17:26 — "Hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
• Acts 10:34-35 — "God is no respecter of persons."
• Galatians 3:28 — "There is neither Jew nor Greek... ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
• Revelation 7:9 — "A great multitude, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Ethnocentrism is simultaneously condemned in traditional forms and promoted in new forms by identity politics.
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Traditional ethnocentrism is rightly condemned. But identity politics has introduced new forms — the valorization of one's own ethnic group as inherently virtuous, the demonization of others as inherently oppressive. Both forms violate the biblical principle of one blood. The gospel does not erase ethnic identity but refuses to make it ultimate.
Usage
• "The gospel demolishes ethnocentrism from every direction: God made all nations from one blood, redeems from every nation, and shows no partiality."
• "Modern identity politics is ethnocentrism in new clothing — elevating ethnic identity to ultimate status."