UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

‘Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner … Implicit biases are pervasive. Everyone possesses them, even people with avowed commitments to impartiality such as judges.’¹ Bias itself is not sinful, but claiming to be without bias puts us on shaky ground. Explicit bias, however wrong it may be, is out there on the table, where it can be dealt with, but implicit bias poses a hidden threat since we don’t even recognize how such bias shapes our attitudes and influences our interactions.

What about Nathanael? He, like Philip, was eagerly awaiting the Messiah’s coming; reference to ‘the Law’ and ‘the prophets’ suggests that he was well versed in Scripture (v. 45). Jesus himself affirmed that Nathanael was a devout Jew—‘truly … an Israelite’—and a man of integrity, with ‘no deceit’ (v. 47). Nathanael was a good guy, yet he was not free of unconscious bias! The bias seems to burst forth instinctively, without conscious thought: ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ (v. 46). Nathanael didn’t merely rule out the possibility of the Messiah being from Nazareth but went further, with the sweeping assumption that nothing good could come from this little village.

Yet, in accepting Philip’s gentle, nonconfrontational invitation to ‘Come and see’ (v. 46), Nathanael allowed his unconscious bias to be brought to the surface for scrutiny. Imagine what Nathanael might have said about Nazareth after meeting Jesus! Not just something ‘good,’ but the very embodiment of goodness had come from Nazareth. In his own hometown, Cana, Nathanael would soon witness the glory of Jesus!²

Learn more about implicit bias. A test like the Implicit Association Test³ may help you start thinking through your unconscious biases in different areas.