I want to discuss a topic that is a ‘hot button’ right now. It’s a difficult topic that requires deeper conversation than what partisan politicians and those debating it can comprehend. As believers, however, we need to be clear about it!
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have shaped policies in workplaces, schools, and even churches. While their stated goal was to address inequities and foster representation, these initiatives have sparked heated debate, especially among Christians who seek to measure everything against the truth of God’s Word. So, for someone who looks at everything through a Biblical lens, a huge question remains: Is DEI Biblical? To address this, we must consider fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of Scripture.
At its core, fairness is a biblical principle. God is a just and impartial judge:
“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” - Deuteronomy 10:17
“You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.” - Leviticus 19:15
"He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord." - Proverbs 17:15
These verses affirm that justice must be based on righteousness, not favoritism or shifting cultural trends. While DEI claims to promote fairness, its approach can sometimes deviate from biblical justice by enforcing partiality—favoring certain groups over others based on race, gender, or identity rather than on character, ability, or effort.
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The Bible celebrates diversity as part of God’s design. Clearly, His design for the earth introduces us to the unimaginable variety that resides in God’s heart for us to see and appreciate. In all of the earth’s beauty, nothing is the same, yet everything has order, reflecting wisdom and reason in its function. In Revelation, we see a stunning picture of heaven:
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” - Revelation 7:9
God’s kingdom is richly diverse, encompassing people from every background. Paul echoes this in his writings about the body of Christ:
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” - Romans 12:4-5
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28
True diversity isn’t about quotas or forced inclusion; it’s about honoring the unique gifts that God has given individuals and using them for His glory. When DEI initiatives genuinely recognize and support diverse skills and callings, they align with biblical truth. However, when diversity is reduced to mere identity markers and used to enforce division and quotas, it contradicts the unity found in Christ.
Biblically, these scriptures communicate that while we are all different, we are all necessary. Men have a role. Women have a role. Intellectuals have a role. Creatives have a role. Our roles are meant to serve each other and uplift God’s design. We go astray when the roles we create to serve ourselves and our desires are elevated to replace God’s design.
Furthermore, while God loves the diversity of His creation, He does not love its perversion. Anything that alters His design is a perversion of it. Women were created to be physically weaker than men, and men cannot give birth. Our unique differences serve a purpose, and we best serve society when His divine intentions are honored. We will always go wrong when we try to fit things into God’s original design that don’t belong there.
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Equity, as sought in contemporary DEI programs, often aims to equalize outcomes through the redistribution of resources and opportunities. While this may seem compassionate, Scripture distinguishes between equality of opportunity and enforced equality of outcome. The Bible advocates for justice and fairness but cautions against unjust favoritism:
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” - Leviticus 19:15
"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight." - Proverbs 11:1
The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) further highlights that God does not give everyone the same resources or opportunities but expects faithfulness with what we’ve been given. Biblical justice supports helping those in need, but it does not advocate for manipulating outcomes at the expense of others. When DEI policies prioritize identity over qualifications, they undermine the biblical principle of merit:
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23
God values diligence, effort, and character. Programs that promote individuals based on demographics instead of ability risk creating inefficiency, division, and resentment. These results are neither just nor biblical. We currently see instances of inefficiency, division, and widespread resentment right here in America over these DEI policies because not enough Americans understand God’s POV on the subject! What is even sadder is that most Christians don’t even understand.
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Jesus was radically inclusive in loving and welcoming those marginalized by society:
“When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you.” - Luke 14:13-14
The early church exemplified this by breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles, as well as between slaves and free men and women. You, too, should not focus on race, gender, wealth, politics, or any other differences. You should extend God’s love to everyone. However, biblical inclusion is rooted in truth and holiness. Paul warns against embracing ideologies that compromise God’s standards:
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them.” - Ephesians 5:11
While Christians are called to love and respect everyone, we are not called to affirm everything. God does not desire inclusion that necessitates agreement with unbiblical lifestyles or suppresses biblical truth. He does not expect us to abandon His design and wisdom to accommodate human ideas. You can be friends with and love anyone, but if they cannot love you and what you believe, they are essentially denying you the same acceptance of your beliefs that they seek from you for theirs.
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In some cases, DEI initiatives do promote the unqualified over the qualified, prioritizing representation over merit. This approach raises ethical and practical concerns:
1. Unintended Consequences
Favoring less-qualified candidates can result in inefficiency and reduced outcomes, ultimately harming the organizations these policies aim to strengthen.
2. Resentment and Division
Policies that are perceived as unfair can foster resentment among those who feel overlooked despite their qualifications. This destroys unity and causes more stereotypes. In fact, I deliberately avoided checking affirmative action boxes when applying for my young son to attend various prestigious schools because I wanted him to gain admission without the stigma of others believing he was only accepted to meet a diversity quota.
3. Moral Responsibility
While addressing past injustices is important, Christians must ask whether enforcing present inequities is the biblical way to achieve justice. God calls for impartiality, not retribution or reverse favoritism.
Justice and mercy are foundational to God’s character and should guide how Christians approach fairness. Micah 6:8 encapsulates this balance:
“He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?”
Justice demands fairness in qualifications and opportunities. Mercy urges us to be compassionate while recognizing the systemic barriers that some individuals face. The challenge lies in balancing these principles without sacrificing one for the other. The depth of this dilemma compels us as Believers to embrace our leadership role more than ever because unbelievers do not utilize the wisdom of God to find solutions in today's world.
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A major concern is the potential for DEI to become an idol, redefining and replacing biblical principles with secular ideologies:
“You shall have no other gods before me.” - Exodus 20:3
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” - Galatians 1:10
When diversity, equity, and inclusion are elevated above biblical truth—when they demand conformity to human ideologies rather than God’s Word—DEI becomes a false gospel.
Christians must carefully discern whether their participation in DEI thinking aligns with their faith or compromises their commitment to Christ. Preaching ‘inclusion’ through a redefinition of truth may inspire your heart to see and love others more, but it also manipulates the heart into not loving Christ and encourages you to be among those who seek to erase and change His Word.
In short, to engage with DEI biblically, Christians should:
1. Affirm God’s Design for Diversity
Celebrate the beauty of God’s creation and the unity of believers while rejecting divisive ideologies that pit groups against each other.
2. Advocate for True Justice
Support fairness and impartiality based on God’s standards, not shifting societal pressures.
3. Practice Biblical Inclusion
Welcome and love others while remaining unwavering in God’s truth.
4. Uphold Merit and Responsibility
Encourage excellence, diligence, and faithfulness in work and leadership.
5. Remain Vigilant Against Idolatry
Ensure our ultimate allegiance is to Christ, not cultural trends or human approval. The real ‘woke’ is spiritual awakening.
DEI programs encompass elements that reflect biblical values, yet they also pose notable challenges when they conflict with Scripture. Christians should approach these issues with discernment, ensuring that fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion align with God’s justice rather than human ideology.
Ultimately, the greatest inclusion, the highest justice, and the truest equity are found in Jesus Christ. The Gospel invites all people—regardless of their background—to salvation, not through forced outcomes or worldly policies, but through faith, grace, and truth. As believers, our mission is not to conform to cultural trends but to reflect God’s kingdom, where righteousness, love, and justice prevail.
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