Malcolm X had a complex and evolving relationship with Jewish and Christian communities, shaped by his broader views on race, power, and oppression in America. He was a fierce critic of the role that religious institutions played in upholding white supremacy, denouncing both the “white church” and Jewish leaders who, in his view, sought to control or exploit the Black freedom struggle. His stance shifted over time, particularly after leaving the Nation of Islam (NOI), when he adopted a more global perspective on race and oppression.
Despite his evolving views, Malcolm X’s past comments and continued criticisms of Jewish influence in Black movements created tensions with organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Many Jewish civil rights activists viewed his rhetoric—especially during his NOI years—as antisemitic. He accused some Jewish landlords and business owners of economic exploitation in Black communities and criticized certain Jewish leaders for what he saw as their attempts to control or dictate the direction of the civil rights movement. He was particularly outspoken about Jewish involvement in the NAACP and other civil rights organizations, arguing that some Jewish figures engaged in advocacy for their own political or economic interests rather than out of genuine solidarity.
Malcolm X’s critiques of Christian institutions were just as scathing. He saw the white church as a pillar of systemic racism, enabling segregation, slavery, and oppression while preaching a distorted version of Christianity designed to pacify Black people. He condemned the hypocrisy of white Christians who professed faith yet remained complicit in racial injustice, likening them to the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked for their moral corruption.
One of the most notable points of contention was his conflict with Jewish civil rights leaders like Rabbi Joachim Prinz, as well as figures within the NAACP and other Jewish-led organizations. While Malcolm X acknowledged that some Jewish individuals genuinely supported Black liberation, he believed others used their influence to co-opt the movement or suppress Black self-determination. This critique reflected his broader rejection of external control over Black affairs—whether from white Christian institutions, Jewish organizations, or liberal allies who, in his view, prioritized their own agendas over true Black empowerment.
Secular Prophets in the Bible
The Bible includes several examples of secular prophets—individuals outside the covenant community of Israel whom God used to convey divine messages or carry out His purposes. These figures demonstrate that God’s sovereignty is not limited to His chosen people but extends to all humanity:
- Balaam (Numbers 22–24): A pagan prophet hired to curse Israel, Balaam ultimately blessed them instead because God intervened, even using a donkey to speak to him. His story illustrates how God can use anyone, even those outside the faith community, to fulfill His purposes.
- The Magi (Matthew 2): These non-Israelite astrologers recognized the significance of Jesus’ birth, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation.
- King Cyrus of Persia (Isaiah 45:1): A pagan king whom God called His “anointed” for enabling the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem, showing that God can use political leaders to accomplish divine purposes.
- Pharaoh Necho (2 Chronicles 35:20–24): An Egyptian ruler whose warning to King Josiah was part of God’s plan, even though Josiah ignored it.
These examples show that God can use individuals outside the traditional faith community as instruments of truth and justice. In a similar way, Malcolm X, though not a prophet in the biblical sense, can be seen as a secular prophet whose message aligned with God’s principles of justice, liberation, and truth.
Malcolm X as a Secular Prophet
Malcolm X’s life and work embody the traits of a secular prophet in both biblical and societal terms:
- Challenging Injustice: Like biblical prophets who denounced the sins of nations, Malcolm X exposed the moral failures of America, confronting systemic racism, white supremacy, and Black oppression.
- A Vision of Transformation: He championed Black empowerment, self-determination, and pride, paralleling the prophetic tradition of calling for liberation and justice for the oppressed.
- Critique of Religious Hypocrisy: Malcolm’s denunciation of the “white church” echoed the biblical prophets’ rebuke of religious leaders who failed to uphold God’s standards of justice and righteousness.
- Personal Transformation: After his pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm embraced Sunni Islam and adopted a more universal vision of human equality. This mirrors the prophetic theme of repentance and growth, demonstrating how personal experiences with God can lead to profound transformation.
A Foundation Rooted in Faith and Resistance
Malcolm X’s early exposure to Christianity through his father, Earl Little, played a crucial role in shaping his foundational beliefs. Earl Little, a Baptist minister and follower of Marcus Garvey, instilled in Malcolm a deep awareness of systemic oppression and the importance of Black pride and independence. Earl’s sermons combined spiritual teachings with Garvey’s call for racial self-determination, embedding in Malcolm an early sense of resistance to injustice.
Although Malcolm eventually rejected Christianity and became a leader within the Nation of Islam, his oratory skills, leadership abilities, and commitment to justice were shaped by this early religious environment. The passion for justice and liberation that defined his life echoed the values his father championed, even as Malcolm found new theological frameworks in Islam.
Malcolm X’s Critique of Christianity
Malcolm X’s rejection of Christianity was deeply tied to his critique of its historical role in the oppression of Black people in America. In The Autobiography of Malcolm X, he argued that Christianity, as it was taught to enslaved Africans, was deliberately distorted to make them passive and accepting of their suffering. He saw the doctrine of “turning the other cheek” as a tool used by white oppressors to enforce subjugation, teaching Black people to endure injustice rather than resist it.
Malcolm also pointed to the hypocrisy of the “white church,” which professed love and brotherhood while tolerating or actively participating in slavery, segregation, and racial violence. He noted that many white Christians, including members of the Ku Klux Klan, justified their acts of terror under the banner of Christianity. This hypocrisy, combined with his personal experiences of racism and the murder of his father—likely at the hands of white supremacists—deepened his disillusionment with the church.
This critique aligns Malcolm X with the biblical prophetic tradition. Just as Jeremiah 23:1-2 rebukes corrupt shepherds who harm God’s flock, and Jesus in Matthew 23 condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and oppression, Malcolm called for the church to reckon with its failures.
Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan’s Journeys Away From Christianity
Both Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan turned away from Christianity for similar reasons:
- Disillusionment with Christianity’s Role in Racism: They saw how Christianity had been used to justify slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, making it difficult to reconcile its teachings with Black liberation.
- The Appeal of Black Empowerment: The Nation of Islam provided a message of Black pride, self-reliance, and resistance—qualities that contrasted with the perceived passivity of Christianity.
- Rejection of the “White Jesus” Narrative: They criticized the way Christianity had been co-opted to center whiteness and alienate Black people from their cultural and spiritual heritage.
These themes help explain why Malcolm X, like Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan, found the Nation of Islam’s teachings to be a compelling alternative.
Conclusion
Malcolm X’s role as a secular prophet is undeniable. His powerful critiques of systemic racism, his challenge to religious hypocrisy, and his vision for justice and equality place him firmly within the prophetic tradition of truth-telling and moral awakening.
While he rejected Christianity as he had experienced it, his life’s work reflects godly principles of justice, liberation, and dignity for all people. Just as God used figures like Balaam and King Cyrus to fulfill His purposes, Malcolm X’s message demonstrates how divine truths can emerge from unexpected sources. Whether seen through the lens of religion or history, Malcolm X remains a prophetic voice whose legacy continues to inspire the pursuit of justice and equality in the modern world.
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