Should Christians Be For Diversity?

We live in an age where diversity has become a hot-button topic. As a ghostwriter, it’s not uncommon for me to work with a new author, even if they’re a minority Democrat, and have them say to me, “Now, I want to make sure we steer clear of any DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) language.”

Why? Because good terms—terms rooted in Scripture—have been hijacked by people from both American political parties.

What’s bizarre to me is that now I hear professing Christians actively speak out against values such as diversity. And when I do, I can’t help but think that their minds have been blown by the political winds of this age.

Diversity is a Christian concept.

Now, how you define diversity is where it gets messy.

For some, diversity means equal representation. This means every team should have a certain breakdown of skin color with a certain number of Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. Qualifications are secondary, and representation is primary.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who create cultures based on one culture—let’s say White American. They would be clear that they don’t discriminate, but for anyone to “come to the table,” they would essentially have to set aside their background and conform to one monolithic culture.

Each side says they’re right. Those emphasizing diversity to the extreme say they’re just offering equal opportunity. Those who want only one culture represented believe they’re promoting meritocracy.

So which side is right?

To answer, let’s look at Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:11-16.

Diversity From Christ's Perspective

By the time Paul arrives at this passage, he has already spent three chapters unfolding the sweeping reality of salvation and the unity created through Christ. He's then pivoted in chapter 4 with a call to “walk worthy” of that calling by guarding the Spirit-created unity of the church. Now he turns to explain how the risen Christ actively grows that unified body.

Notice, as you read these verses, that Paul’s call to unity doesn’t center on the amount of melanin in one’s skin or whether someone was an ethnic Roman, Greek, or Jew. Instead, he views diversity through a much broader lens: the view of Spiritual gifts.

A few points to note.

First, Paul notes that Christ has given different gifts to those with different abilities. Verse 11 says he “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”

Why? Verse 12 answers by saying, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.” As William Klein writes, “right from the outset Paul rejected the all-too-common tendency for laypeople (and some pastors too) to let the ‘professionals’ do the ministry.”^[1]

How long do these gifts last? Verse 13 says, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”

What’s the value? Verse 14 says, “Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.”

What is the purpose? Verses 15-16 point out that it’s all to become more like Jesus. “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.”

The Beauty of Christ-Centered Diversity

Here’s why this passage is so beautiful and should mean so much to you today. In a culture that tries to make you live between two extremes, the diversity found in Christ isn’t tied to a political party; it's anchored in who God has created you to be.

This is why I believe it’s critical to build diverse gifting relationships, not necessarily based on skin tones, but rooted in God-given abilities.

In a book I hope to publish one day, I’ve outlined seven key relationships I believe every Christian should have. These include relationships with God, family, close friends, disciples, the unseen, doubters, and those in the church. I came up with this list after noticing this pattern in the life of Christ.

Before starting his public ministry, Jesus got alone with his Father. Before serving others, Jesus spent thirty years with his family. While he impacted thousands, he spent extra time with just a few—Peter, James, and John. From there, he had twelve disciples and 72 apostles. And he spent time with skeptics like Nicodemus, unseen lepers, and those who were seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven.

How Should This Change How You Live?

The value of diverse friendships is that they break you out of your mold.

When you only hang out with friends who act, think, and live like you, your world grows smaller, and you don’t see the full image of God reflected in those around you. But when you get close to those of diverging God-given gifts and abilities, you will be changed. In the context of what Paul shared in Ephesians 4:

• Apostles challenge you to think missionally and build your life on a strong foundation, anchoring yourself in what is true and refusing to drift from the core of the gospel.
• Prophets call you to live with courage and spiritual attentiveness, listening for God’s voice and speaking truth with clarity instead of shrinking back when conviction is required.
• Evangelists stir urgency in you and turn your focus outward, reminding you that faith is meant to be shared, not stored away in private comfort.
• Pastors invite you to practice relational care and steady presence, teaching you to shepherd others with patience, empathy, and consistency.
• Teachers press you toward depth and discernment, training you to love God not only with passion but with understanding, so you are not easily swayed by every new idea that passes through your life.

If you've been culturally conditioned to hate the term diversity, let God's Word redefine your beliefs. Let it expand your friendships. Let it change the way you lead your team at work. And let it transform how you interact with those in your local church.

The reason you should want to be around someone of a different culture, background, or skin color isn't just so you can check some diversity quota. It's because each person is made in God's image and uniquely reflects him. So the more time you spend with those outside your cultural bubble, the fuller your picture of God will be and the more you will be challenged to become like him in the process.

This is the deeper, and literally more glorious, value of diversity.

^[1]William W. Klein, “Ephesians,” in Ephesians–Philemon, vol. 12 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition. eds. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland; Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), 127.