Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

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The concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become central to modern cultural discussions, influencing institutions, policies, and public dialogue. From a traditional biblical perspective, however, these ideas must be evaluated through the lens of Scripture to determine their alignment with Christian doctrine. This essay examines DEI from an orthodox biblical worldview, emphasizing the supremacy of God’s Word, the unity of humanity in Christ, and the rejection of ideas that conflict with biblical truth.

The Biblical Foundation for Unity in Creation and Redemption

The doctrine of creation provides the starting point for understanding diversity biblically. Genesis 1:26–27 teaches that all humans are created in the image of God (imago Dei), endowing every person with inherent dignity and worth, regardless of ethnicity, sex, or social status. Scripture recognizes one human race, united by common descent from Adam (Acts 17:26). This unity challenges secular notions of diversity that prioritize external differences, such as skin color or cultural background, over humanity’s shared identity as God’s image-bearers.

The fall of humanity (Genesis 3) introduced sin, fracturing human relationships and giving rise to division, prejudice, and injustice. Yet, the gospel of Jesus Christ offers redemption and reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humans. As Christians come into fellowship with God, a new people has been create: the church. Jesus' work on the cross forms the foundation for a deep spiritual unity that crosses social barriers. Galatians 3:28 declares, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The gospel unifies believers as one body in Christ, transcending worldly distinctions. From a biblical perspective, the unity of God's redeemed people is prioritized over our cultural, ethnic and national differences.

Understanding the DEI Framework

Modern DEI initiatives often stem from secular ideologies that view society through the lens of power dynamics, categorizing people as oppressors or oppressed based on group identities like race, sex, or class. This framework promotes division rather than unity and contradicts the biblical call to impartial judgment and treatment (James 2:1–9). It denies personal accountability before God and elevates group identity over individual responsibility, which conflicts with the biblical principle that each person will give an account to God (Romans 14:12).

The secular notion of diversity emphasizes representation based on external characteristics (such as race, ethnicity, sex, or other demographic markers), without regard for shared values, beliefs or qualifications. This approach reduces individuals to their group identities, prioritizing superficial traits over character, competence or shared purpose. For example, organizations may set diversity quotas to ensure proportional representation of certain groups in leadership, hiring or education, regardless of whether the selected individuals align with the organization's core mission or values. This can lead to tokenism, where individuals are chosen not for their merits but to check a demographic box, undermining their dignity and fostering resentment among others who feel overlooked.

The secular approach to equity seeks to achieve equal outcomes across groups rather than ensuring equal opportunities for individuals. This approach often assumes systemic inequalities can only be addressed by redistributing resources, opportunities, or privileges to favor certain groups, identified as historically disadvantaged, as the expense of others. For example, secular equity may involve policies like affirmative action or quotas in hiring, education, or promotions, which prioritize group-based outcomes over individual merit. These measures can require preferential treatment, such as lowering standards for some groups or redistributing wealth or positions to achieve proportional representation.

The secular approach to inclusion prioritizes affirming all lifestyles, beliefs and identities in order to promote tolerance and acceptance. This approach often demands that institutions, communities or individuals validate personal choices or worldviews, in order to create an environment where everyone feels accepted and like they belong. Inclusion requires affirming behaviors or identities, such as those related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

A Biblical Critique of Diversity

Secular practices of diversity risk promoting partiality, which Scripture explicitly condemns (Leviticus 19;15), as they judge people based on outward appearances rather than their hearts and actions (1 Samuel 16:7). Furthermore, secular diversity often celebrates differences as an end in themselves, ignoring the biblical truth that true unity is found in shared faith and submission to Christ, not in the elevation of external distinctions.

Revelation 7:9 provides us with a vision where we witness that Matthew 28:19-20 has become a reality: a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language are worshipping before God’s throne. Ethnic and cultural diversity glorifies God when united in Christ. However, this diversity is not the goal, but the natural result of God’s redemptive plan and the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Biblical Critique of Equity

Biblical equity differs significantly from its secular counterpart. Secular practices of equity risk fostering resentment, undermining meritocracy, and perpetuating division by reinforcing group identities rather than treating individuals impartially. Furthermore, secular equity often relies on subjective definitions of fairness, shaped by cultural or ideological trends, rather than a biblical or objective standard of justice.

In Scripture, equity is associated with righteous judgment and fairness under God’s law. Psalm 96:10 states that God judges the peoples with equity, meaning He upholds justice without partiality. Secular equity, which often seeks to equalize outcomes through preferential treatment, violates this principle by showing favoritism to certain groups. James 2:9 warns against partiality as sin, supporting the idea that true equity treats individuals according to God’s standards, not arbitrary group identities.

In practice, true biblical equity ensures that all people have access to the gospel and are treated justly within the church and society. This does not mean guaranteeing equal outcomes but providing equal opportunities to hear and respond to God’s Word. The early church cared for widows and orphans (Acts 6:1–7, James 1:27), ensuring the vulnerable were not neglected, but this care was rooted in compassion and obedience to God, not a demand for equal material outcomes.

A Biblical Critique of Inclusion

Inclusion in the church is about welcoming sinners into the transformative power of Christ’s redemption, not affirming every lifestyle or belief. Romans 15:7 instructs believers to “accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,” but this acceptance is conditional on repentance and faith, not unconditional affirmation of sinful behavior. Inclusion cannot neglect the gospel’s call to all people to repent and believe (Mark 1:15).

Secular inclusion often equates acceptance with agreement, fostering a culture where moral relativism overrides objective truth. It demands acceptance of unbiblical practices in the name of tolerance, such as affirming behaviors explicitly condemned in Scripture. For example, in the workplace, people may be required to affirm behaviors or identities, such as those related to sexual orientation or gender identity. The church, however, must lovingly call all people to repentance while extending fellowship to those who submit to Christ’s lordship. Biblical inclusion invites all people to experience the transformative power of the Gospel, but does not affirm behaviors or believes that contradict God's Word.

Practical Application: Living Out a Biblical DEI Framework

A biblical approach to the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion prioritizes biblical truth over cultural trends. Practically, this involves:

1. Preaching the Gospel as the Ultimate Unifier: The church must proclaim the gospel as the means of reconciling people from every nation, tribe and tongue to God, countering the divisive tendencies of secular DEI (Ephesians 2:14–16).

   
   

2. Rejecting Partiality: Christians should judge people impartially, according to the same standards, avoiding favoritism based on incidental or non-sinful external characteristics.

   
   

3. Pursuing Biblical Justice: The church should advocate for justice rooted in God’s law, ensuring fairness without compromising truth.

   
   

4. Fostering Gospel-Centered Community: Believers should build communities that welcome all who repent and believe. Let the Holy Spirit take care of the diversity.

   
   

5. Engaging Culture with Truth and Love: Christians must lovingly confront unbiblical ideologies while offering the hope of the gospel (1 Peter 3:15).

Conclusion

The secular version of diversity, equity, and inclusion must be rejected by Christians, along with its definitions and ethos. Biblical diversity celebrates God’s work in the world to bring the Gospel to the nations, equity upholds righteous judgment without partiality, and inclusion welcomes all who come to God through repentance and faith. By grounding these concepts in God’s Word, the church can offer a transformative alternative to secular DEI, one that glorifies God, promotes true unity, and advances the gospel.