In many ways, DEI replaces the redemptive power of the gospel

Jesus included people. He ate with tax collectors – and prostitutes. Women sat at his feet to listen to his teaching. This was radically different in a time when women were treated as second-class citizens. Jesus believed in the redemptive power of the gospel, and that all who believed in him were accepted, no matter their gender, age or social status.  

Unpacking theories and ideals

In the world today, the gold standard for achieving inclusivity is utilising DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies that attempt to ensure that workplaces do not unfairly discriminate against people because of their race, gender or sexuality. 

DEI has been under the spotlight in the US where Trump has banned it and declared that the country is now a ‘meritocracy’. While some see this as a backwards step, others are applauding a return to common sense. 

When it comes to the Church, should DEI be a guiding light towards inclusivity? DEI theory is based on social justice, and critical theory is based on the perspective that in groups of people there are ‘oppressors’ and the ‘oppressed’. For example, women would be seen as ‘oppressed,’ and men as ‘oppressors’.  

The problem with this, is that there is no room for redemption. No matter what a man does he’ll always be the oppressor. This also means that the oppressed group can perceive themselves as victims. This can actually be harmful and lead to the very inequalities that DEI purports to prevent. People are pitted against each other when everyone is seen as either a nasty oppressor or a victim. We see this in the highly antagonistic culture wars. 

At its root, the theory of the oppressor and the oppressed comes from Marxism. Karl Marx was the first person to use the terms when he referred to the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and argued that creating just one class of people would end the problems between us all. But the beginning of the Communist Manifesto actually describes how a “spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of Communism”. And letters and poetry written by Marx and his friends and family provide anecdotal evidence that Marx was under the influence of demons. If true, it’s no wonder Marxism caused so many problems and division. 

Exercising caution and wisdom

We live in a spiritual realm, and the word ‘inspire’ actually used to mean ‘divine guidance’ in Middle English. Whenever an idea is birthed into the world we must consider what spirit is behind it. If an idea that appears compassionate and loving has its roots in something dark, then perhaps we need to treat it with caution. As the apostle Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:14: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” 

Is ‘DEI’ compatible with Christianity? I think, in many ways, it replaces the redemptive power of the gospel. In the book Teaching While White (Rowman & Littlefield), Laura A. Roy says of being ‘woke’: “be woke enough to know you are never woke enough”. Being ‘woke’ is sometimes described as awareness, almost as if it’s a higher state of consciousness. 

As humans we have come up with so many ideas about how to be inclusive but they all fall short. Because humanity sins. We can be racist, sexist and discriminate against people. We can be cruel, selfish and exclusive. There needs to be a way of focusing on inclusivity, because, left to our own devices, we will be cruel. 

But we do have Jesus. 

Being proactive

What the Church needs is an inclusivity approach that puts Jesus at the centre. What might this look like? Here are a few possible ideas, to help spark your own thoughts on how to be more inclusive: 

Regular prayer nights on how to be an inclusive church.

Prayerfully making decisions when appointing new leaders to ensure that no one is unfairly discriminated against.

Sermons on inclusivity. 

Learning better how to hear God’s voice for decision-making. 

Holding leaders accountable to others so that no one wields too much power. 

Meditating and memorising Bible passages that remind us about inclusivity, since as humans we tend to get forgetful and distracted (for example, Galatians 3:28, Romans 12:15-18, Proverbs 22:2).

Creating gospel-centred inclusion policies, using scripture.

Compassionately but biblically navigating situations where people might feel excluded because of God’s design for sexuality and marriage. 

Hosting sessions to listen to church members about how they could better feel included. 

In a fallen world this is not an easy task, but I think it’s far better that we look to God, rather than man-made DEI policies, when working towards a more inclusive Church: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

FOR AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW READ: Why would we want cookie-cutter Christians?