The Bible and DEI

A Biblical perspective on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity

The DEI Movement

The “DEI” movement uses the terms “diversity, equity and inclusivity” to describe values to be implemented in hiring policies and employment procedures.

Among DEI advocates, there is little agreement about the definitions of these words. There is also disagreement about the order in which they should be emphasized. This lack of definition (and order of emphasis) allows for significant confusion. So those who try to analyze or disagree with DEI find that it can be a moving target. DEI advocates can insist that they are being misrepresented due to this lack of definition.

The DEI movement is an outgrowth of the philosophy of Critical Theory. Critical theory maintains that history is merely the story of struggle between those who are oppressed and their oppressors. This insistence that civilizations have been typified by class struggle can be clearly seen in cultural Marxism. This approach to history is designed to foment the bitterness of class envy. For this presentation, it’s important to remember that others may use your vocabulary without using your dictionary. So, defining terms is of paramount importance.

[For a video version of this article see below]

The Two Sources of Wisdom in the Bible

From an overall perspective, the Bible teaches that bitterness and envy are the natural outgrowth of using the worldly principles of human wisdom. As James points out, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:14-16). The world’s wisdom is in constant descent for it is worldly, unspiritual and ultimately devilish. This approach produces bitter envy, confusion, lies and every evil work.

By contrast, James describes heavenly wisdom as follows: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:17-18). Just as God is pure, peaceable, full of mercy, impartial and without hypocrisy so those who use His wisdom are like Him. What James taught about wisdom in the New Testament reflects the wisdom based on the fear of God in the Old Testament.

The Bible teaches that bitterness and envy are the natural outgrowth of using the worldly principles of human wisdom.

Ironically, the proposed peaceable outcomes of DEI could be produced by heavenly wisdom. But since DEI rejects heavenly wisdom and enforces corrupt human wisdom, it produces the opposite effect.

Analysis of the Terms Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity

This presentation will briefly analyze these words and the impact of the DEI movement from a Biblical perspective. Since the terms provided by DEI advocates are ill-defined, this presentation will evaluate these terms (or related concepts) in Scripture.

Diversity

In its most innocuous form, diversity refers to a variety of differing opinions or perspectives. For instance, Proverbs 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” For the betterment of others, this kind of diversity can be helpful. In Scripture, it is driven by a selfless attitude: “…but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3b).

But according to the Bible, diversity only goes so far. In His depiction of marriage, Jesus said, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife” (Mark 10:6-7). Biblically a marriage is between one male and one female. Yet DEI diversity insists that homosexual unions should also be considered as marriages. That the concept of diversity is limited in Scripture is especially plain in Paul’s series of questions in 2 Corinthians 6:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

According to the Bible, diversity only goes so far.

Also, the DEI concept of diversity is riddled with false distinctions. DEI advocates apply the concept of diversity to refer to various races. Yet, from a Biblical perspective, there is only one race – the human race – of one blood, according to Acts 17:26.

Equity

The term “equity” appears in translations of the Scripture such as the KJV and ESV. Translating the Hebrew word [sedeq], equity refers to “righteousness, uprightness, and justice.”

In Scripture, “equity” refers to the upright judgment of God, as He rules and reigns over all mankind. It also refers to wise believers who treat others with uprightness.

DEI advocates define “equity” differently. To them, the specific choice of the word “equity” (instead of the related word “equality”) uses a very different meaning from the one in Scripture. To them “equality” refers to equal opportunities (for diverse individuals from various groups). But in DEI thinking, “equity” refers to equal outcomes. So, regardless of individual initiative or ability, the DEI concept of “equity” levels not only the playing field but also final score: it all has to be the same. Informed by Critical Theory, the DEI approach to equity foments class envy – a far cry from the peace it professes to produce.

Inclusivity

Like the term “diversity,” the term “inclusivity” does not appear in Scripture, but the concept does appear. The concept of reconciliation is foundational to the uniting (or including) of diverse individuals within a group. For instance, Jesus Christ includes both Jews and Gentiles in His church, “that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Ephesians 2:16). This is at the heart of the gospel of grace. As is evident in this verse, inclusion is on God’s terms, not man’s terms. By contrast, in the Old Testament, God did not ask the Israelites to include the Canaanites in their worship of the Lord. And when Sanballat and Tobiah asked to be included in rebuilding the Temple, Nehemiah replied,

“The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:10).

To the DEI advocate, inclusivity must include all individuals and beliefs no matter how much they disagree. To them, inclusivity means that all beliefs must be embraced equally, regardless of how contradictory those beliefs are. This goes beyond the bounds of rationality. In the thinking of DEI advocates, failure to embrace this inclusivity opens one to legitimate accusations of prejudice and discrimination. But recent court cases, like the one at the University of Oregon, are demonstrating that DEI is prone to be a form of bias and prejudice.¹

All beliefs must be embraced equally, regardless of how contradictory those beliefs are: this goes beyond the bounds of rationality.

The Bible uses the concepts of diversity and inclusivity to describe Christian fellowship. Most importantly, it uses the term “equity” to identify the God who is the Judge of all and reconciles enemies through the gospel of His grace. Biblical equity describes uprightness that God requires of all mankind.

By contrast the DEI movement uses the terms “diversity,” “equity,” and inclusivity” in such a way that it blurs the bounds of morality and rationality.

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© Gordon A. Dickson, www.LiveServeLead.com || Used by permission.

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1. See  Greg Piper, “Censored professors notch wins in legal fights over DEI dogma, depictions of Prophet Muhammad” Just the News, July 26, 2024. [↩]