Diversity is a buzz word that can conjure a variety of emotions. For some, diversity is a virtue in itself, a goal that must be achieved whether in a nation, an organization, a business, or a church. For others, diversity is divisive and problematic and something that should not be focused on in order for a nation, organization, business, or church to succeed.
What about diversity in the church? To determine whether diversity is good, bad, or indifferent, we must first clarify what we mean by diversity. Do we mean diversity in colors, cultures, classes, or thinking? Diversity is something that existed in the early Church and it is something that the Bible addresses often. Romans 12 gives us a good overview of the biblical view of diversity. Romans 12:3-6 says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;” In Romans, diversity is seen in words likes every, many, and all. Yet this diversity is not a diversity of thinking; they are one body in Christ. The diversity is the differing gifts that they have been given according the God’s grace.
From Romans 12 we can see that 1) diversity was created by God, 2) diversity is not a fundamental divider or identity and 3) diversity is not a virtue in itself but a means to a goal. This view of diversity within the church is seen throughout Scripture. Let’s delve more deeply into each of these aspects in turn.
First, the Bible teaches that diversity was created by God. As Christians, we know that God created the entire universe and the diversity of galaxies, plants, animals and humans that we enjoy today (Genesis 1-2). God created two different genders, male and female, for the purpose of marriage. Jesus reiterates this difference in Mark 10:6, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” We also know that from this first man and woman came the abundance of human diversity we see around the world today. Paul noted this in his sermon on Mars Hill when he said: “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth . . . For in him we live, and move, and have our being . . . for we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:24-28) We can’t take credit for our different genders, colors, cultures, countries or ethnicities because we didn’t create us. In Psalm 100, the psalmist encourages people of every color, culture and country to “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands” because he recognizes, that “it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.” The diversity we see among ourselves came from our common Creator God.
Second, while God created diversity, He did not intend diversity to be a fundamental divider or identity. When God revealed His intent to extend the gospel through the Jews to the other nations of the world, this was difficult for some of the Jews to accept. They viewed the rituals and traditions that made them different from the Gentiles as their primary identity. As a result, it sometimes caused division between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the early Church. Addressing this division, Peter said, “God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them [Gentiles] witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:8-9) Addressing a similar issue to the Christians at Rome, Paul wrote, “What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin . . . therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.” (Romans 3:9, 28-30) Later in Romans, Paul wrote, “For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” (Romans 10:11-12) From a biblical perspective, our differences make no difference when it comes to our standing before God. We are all on equal footing because we have the same Creator and the same Savior.
Our identity has never been in our color, culture, country, ethnicity, social class, gender or anything else. Those have only ever been fractions of our identity. Our true identity is found in our essence as image-bearers of God. At salvation, we take on a new all-encompassing identity as a child of God. As Paul reminded the Galatians, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28) Paul gives a similar reminder to the Colossians, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:10-11) These passages remind us that our primary identity is creation of God and, as Christians, child of God. When it comes to our identity, the gospel obliterates the significance of superficial differences and distinguishing characteristics like gender, social class, or ethnicity. We must not let what makes us different, just a fraction of our identity, become our whole identity. Our identity is in our common Creator and common Savior.
Third, in Scripture, diversity is not viewed as a virtue in itself but a means to a goal. And that goal is unity in a common cause—the cause of Christ. Christianity is the epitome of unity through diversity. Together, with our differing genders, ethnicities, social classes, gifts, and positions, we make up the visible, tangible body of Christ on this earth—the Church. Paul defined the Church in I Corinthians 10:17, “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” That body is the body of Christ. Similarly, Ephesians 5:30 says, “For we are members of his [Christ’s] body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”
As we already discussed, by virtue of having the same Creator and same Savior, we have the same position before God. However, we are not the same in nearly any other respect! We are born with different gifts and steward different positions within the church. As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” (I Corinthians 12:4-6) Then Paul lists a few of those different gifts, administrations, and operations before concluding, “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” (I Corinthians 12:11-14) So, God made us different for the purpose of unity, so that we could all fit together like pieces of a puzzle. When each of those pieces join together, fitting as only different-shaped pieces could, they create a picture of Jesus Christ; and that picture represents Christ to the world around us. I Corinthians 12 continues in verses 24-27, “For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together . . . That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another . . . . Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Our diversity is the means by which we accomplish the same goal—to represent Christ to the world around us.
The point of diversity is never to focus on what makes us different, but on how our differences fit within the body of Christ for the purpose of representing Christ to the world. While focus on diversity as a virtue in itself leads to comparison, pride, and division, focus on diversity as a means to a common goal brings unity in the Church. In Ephesians 4:1-7, Paul emphasized this focus, writing, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Once again, our diversity is seen in the context of unity. Like Romans 12, it reminds us of our common “vocation wherewith ye are called.” Also, like Romans 12, this passage reminds us that our different gifts are a result of God’s grace, not our own doing. We are not to be proud on one hand or pitiful on the other because we share a common God and Father who is above us all, working through us all, and living in us all. When we view our diversity in the context of unity, then our interactions with each other will be characterized by humility, patience, peace and love.
So, the verdict is in; diversity is good. Diversity is good because it is God-created. Diversity is good as long as it does not become an identity that divides us from each other. Diversity is good, not as a virtue in itself, but as a means to a common goal. Diversity creates the mosaic that is the Church—the representation of Christ on earth. As Paul would say, what an incomprehensively wise God we serve!