Is Diversity Our Strength?

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Salvation in Christ Alone and the Coming Judgment

People are tired of hearing nothing but doom and despair on the radio. The message of Christianity is that salvation is found in Christ alone, and any who reject Christ therefore forfeit any hope of salvation, any hope of heaven.

The issue is that humanity is in sin, and the wrath of almighty God is hanging over our heads. They will hear his words, they will not act upon them, and when the floods of divine judgment, when the fires of wrath come, they will be consumed and they will perish.

God wrapped himself in flesh, condescended and became a man, died on the cross for sin, was resurrected on the third day, has ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he sits now to make intercession for us.

Jesus is saying there is a group of people who will hear his words, they will act upon them, and when the floods of divine judgment come in that final day, their house will stand.

Unity in Christ from Philippians 2

Welcome to Bible Bash, where we aim to equip the saints for the works of ministry by answering the questions you're not allowed to ask. We're your host, Harrison Kerrigan, Pastor Tim Mullett, and today we'll answer the age-old question, is diversity our strength?

Now, Tim, what Bible verse do you have to kick us off with?

Yeah, Philippians 2, 2 -3. Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Okay, so obviously that passage is talking about unity, right? That we should be unified, right? So, are you, so when it comes to this question, is diversity our strength, are you suggesting that the Bible is saying, hey, you know, this diversity, it's getting in the way of unity, or are you trying to tell us, hey, there's a balance that needs to be struck, or hey, we don't need to think about diversity, we just need to think about unity?

What is this Bible verse pointing, which one of those is the passage pointing us towards?

Well, a lot of people, yeah, they do think about these kind of things as issues of balance, meaning like, okay, you need to try to think about, you know, on the one hand, diversity, on the other hand, unity, and try to find some kind of middle ground to where you're in the middle of a seesaw, so to speak, or both priorities are equally balanced, but then that typically isn't just, that isn't really the way the Bible works when you're thinking about things along these lines, meaning there are certain principles that are necessary for unity in the Bible if you want real unity, and they're not just found in unrestrained, out-of-control diversity.

So, you're living in a society right now that basically thinks of diversity as an unmitigated good, meaning that diversity is praised for the sake of diversity, as if diversity in of itself is basically an end in of itself, basically.

Yeah, yeah.

So, diversity is praised, and part of the reason why diversity is praised is due to the fact that we've adopted the assumptions of multiculturalism. So, basically, you look at the cultures that are around the world, you say, hey, there's a lot of different people, and diversity is obviously a feature of the way that God's made the world, that there's a lot of different people that exist in the world that look differently, they act differently, they have different cultures, they have different customs, everything else.

You look around at that, and you can make a simple kind of observation to say that the human race has been benefited by diversity in general.

Okay?

So, you can make that kind of calculus, and it's not really all that difficult to make just to say that, hey, we've been benefited from that. But then, as it relates to, if you want unity, there's something else that you need.

So, you need some kind of archaic, you need some kind of point of origin, you need something to hold together the diversity. And so then, in the secular framework, there's no glue, there's no cohesion, there's nothing to hold it together, it's just diversity.

You put everyone together, and you pile on diversity, and then you think, well, this is going to be a positive good, everyone just get along. But then, part of the problem is very obvious. Like, diversity for the sake of diversity leads to chaos.

Like, two can't walk together unless they're agreed. So, when you think about the Christian worldview, you have to have something that centers that diversity, basically. So, you have to have some kind of unifying point in order for people to get along, for people to work together.

So, you can have differences that are superficial, but you have to have something fundamental that ties them together or else you're just going to have conflict, and you're going to have fights, and you're going to have war.

So, when you think about a passage like this, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind, the mind that you're supposed to have is the mind of Christ, okay?

So, Christ is the mind that you're supposed to have, that's supposed to take the diversity of gifts, talents, and abilities, backgrounds, and everything else that God has made people with and unifies them.

So, there has to be some glue that holds it together, and that glue is having the mind of Christ, essentially. That's what really our culture and our society doesn't get right when you're talking about this kind of topic.

There's nothing that holds it together. The glue is just like, hey, get along because tolerance or something like that, right?

Stop racism.

Stop racism.

You know, I think the NFL even put, I don't know if they still do it, but for a year or two there, they were even putting end racism on both sides of the field right in the end zone, so you saw it every single time.

So, it's like, it seems like a lot of people have really bought into this idea that diversity is our strength because they don't want to live in a society that they think is racist. No, that's not necessarily a comment on is our nation actually racist?

I actually think our nation is pretty racist, but I don't agree with who they think it's racist towards. Most people would think it's racist towards. So, is there at least like a, it seems like you're saying, hey, the diversity is not something that should really be considered from a biblical standpoint.

It's more like, hey, no, we should worry about are we unified in Christ? Is that what you're saying? Or was there more to it?

Diversity, Creation, and the Need for a Unifying Standard

Yeah, I mean, I think God has made the world diverse. So, that's just a simple fact of creation, meaning men are not women and they can't be no matter how hard they try. Men and women are different. Men and women are diverse.

By definition, they're fundamentally different types of human beings, right? So, they're both humans, but then there's a male kind and then there's a female kind. So, there's differences that are worked into men and women.

There's differences that are worked into the different ethnic groups that God has made. So, there's differences in terms of temperament, however you want to define those things. I wouldn't give a whole lot of weight to the psychological categories that define those things, but I mean, certainly, God's made some people to be eyes.

He's made some people to be ears. He's made some people to be mouths. The church, relationships, society, we're all benefited by God giving different giftings to different types of people and then giving different backgrounds and different experiences to different types of people.

So, we're benefited by diversity. Like, that's in general. Like, as a general statement, God's made diversity as a feature. So, that's what he's made it. But then, the issue is you need something to hold it together.

Okay?

So, you need some glue. You need some kind of fundamental origin. Like, you need something to center it all or else what you get is you get these diverse things that God has made who just fight with each other.

Right?

So, what you get.

When you look around the world right now is that fundamentally, like, critical theory envisions the world in terms of power dynamics. So, you have different types of people who are different and then critical theory pits everyone against each other.

So, then you see the world through the lens of like dominant groups and then, you know, oppressed groups or whatever. Like, oppressed minority groups. So, then you put them all against each other like the world's envisioned as like conflict.

Right?

So, there's conflict between everyone. So, men are perceived as oppressing women. White people are perceived as oppressing every other minority groups. And so, then the way you get unity in that framework is basically just to say, Hey, everyone who's perceived to be on top are in charge.

You're in the wrong. You're the villain. And then, let's try to make everything fair.

Right?

So, the thing that holds the diversity is our strength kind of thing together is the assumptions of critical theory, basically. You have to buy into that.

You have to basically say.

That the goal is equity. We have to make everything the same. So, we want diversity but then the goal is just get all the diverse things.

To be equal.

And to all have the same kind of stuff. And so, it's kind of a counterintuitive in the way that that works. But then, from a biblical worldview, God's made everyone different. He's made people having different body parts, different giftings, talents, abilities.

But the idea is not to even the playing field give everyone the same stuff by pitting everyone against each other and just looking at whoever has more and taking from them and giving to the person who has less.

Or, if you see someone who has more, identify them as the oppressor and then the one who has less is the oppressed in that way. Like, what you do in a biblical worldview.

Is just say,.

Hey, yeah, there is real diversity that we're not trying to fix. We're not trying to fix in that kind of way. So, there's real diversity, but then the way you unify it is you have to have some sort of ethical framework that you're all agreed upon.

So, then,.

You think about a biblical worldview.

In that way.

Like, the Bible gives us this ethical framework that God tells us the rules that we ought to live by. He calls the shots. So, His rules are the rules that we live by. And Christ has come to be an example for us on how we should actually live.

And to the extent to which you have very different kinds of people who both are looking to Jesus as an example for how to live, they're going to carry that out with their different gifts, counts, and abilities because God's commands aren't that specific.

Meaning, they're not requiring every introvert to be an extrovert or whatever else. They're not requiring every woman to be a man or every male to be a woman or some kind of hybrid in between androgynous thing.

Like, the issue is.

That God's given expectations. He's given us an example. And to the extent to which we internalize God's priorities together, agree upon His rules and His framework, that's going to be the source of unity we have.

So, what we need is.

We need a unity.

Outside of ourself.

And you're not going to get a unity just by putting a bunch of very different people together and saying, hey, isn't it wonderful?

And that's kind of what.

Our society is doing at this point is they're basically putting a bunch of very different things in close proximity despite the fact that we may have very different ways of life, very different views of the world,.

Very different.

Underlying assumptions, very different priorities, very different values. And then what ends up happening is just a bunch of chaos because there's nothing that really holds it together.

Other than just.

Some sort of commitment to say, hey, we need to make everyone have the same stuff. And then people resent that because that isn't the way the Bible works, if that makes sense.

And so what you have to have.

Is you have to have some standard that undergirds the project that everyone agrees upon that stands in judgment over the different kinds of diversity that can actually exist, right? So there's some kinds of diversity that are good and then there's some kinds of diversity that are bad.

So your society kills people and eats them. That's bad diversity, okay?

Like, we don't need.

To unify with the cannibals,.

Right?

And everyone can get along. It's like, hey, are you hungry? Here's my child. Would you like to make a handbag out of them? Since you're a vegan. I mean, that isn't really.

The way it works. You have to have something.

That's going to set the parameters for what actual unity you're going to actually have.

But Tim, if we destroy the cannibalizing culture, then how are we going to benefit from their perspective on the world?

But then that assumes.

That every worldview is equal, right? No one would say that about the cannibalistic culture,.

But you have to say that.

About every other culture. That assumes that all cultures are equal and that we have to benefit from everything else. And that any differences,.

Right?

So any differences between different cultures are neutral. But then what actually happens in practice is that's not even actually the way it works. So the way it actually works is because of critical theory, any culture that excels and reaps the benefits of excelling is necessarily viewed.

As being.

Like benefiting because of oppression. Does that make sense?

So that's the way.

It actually works. So if your form of diversity excels and produces better things for the world, then instead of the rest of the world being thankful for the fact that your culture excelled at a particular thing, you're viewed as the oppressor.

And you're viewed as like having not just made something that would benefit society and be good for society and advance the human race. You did that on the backs of your oppression, right? And so now we need to take from you and give to the cannibalistic culture, right?

So whatever... So basically, diversity of our strength is our strength. All that really means is that cultures or individuals who are less productive members of society or less productive societies, you have to view them as an ipso facto victim, right?

And then take from the dominant culture and give to them.

In order to.

Benefit from their diverse perspective. But then what you're not.

Really allowed to ask.

Is, well, maybe their diverse perspective is what's caused them to be in the position they're in. So maybe we... Maybe if we adopt all of their cultural assumptions, we're going to lose everything that we just gained,.

Okay? So basically, what diversity.

Of our strength reduces to is any culture or society that's doing. Well, we don't need your input anymore, right? We need the input of cultures and societies that are doing less good. And so then we have to learn from them and get their perspective to make it do anything better.

But I mean,.

You can just imagine how that would work. Like if you just have half a brain, you could realize that, hey, yeah, you know what? In order to make cars,.

You have to have.

A certain worldview that's necessary, a certain work ethic.

That's necessary,.

A certain... There's certain principles that are necessary.

In order to advance.

And achieve. And maybe a cannibalistic culture who's still throwing their spears in the jungle out there, maybe they don't have.

What they need.

In order to benefit that kind of society very much.

That doesn't mean.

That you can't learn anything from them, but maybe there are certain cultural assumptions that produce better things that are not present there,.

Right?

So there is the reality that...

And you can see this.

With individuals,.

I mean, too. I mean, just...

My goodness.

If you get together a group of very high-performing.

Individuals,.

And then you take.

Like the laziest person.

Imaginable, and you say.

Diversity is our strength,.

Right?

Put them in charge,.

It may be that.

They don't have.

The competence necessary.

To help individuals who have a demonstrated track record of excelling and achieving,.

Right?

So the issue is,.

Yes, God's made the world diverse,.

But then.

He's also set certain principles in place that affect.

The outcomes.

That are given,.

Right?

And we need.

Some kind of...

We need some kind.

Of standard that's gonna sit in judgment on all individuals, like all the diversity that exists.

So there needs to be.

Some kind of standard that we have that's able to judge that diversity and determine whether or not that is good diversity or bad diversity,.

Right?

But then diversity for the sake of diversity is not good. That's just chaos,.

Right?

So, I mean,.

You can't...

I mean, like,.

This is...

Like, order,.

Like, if you think about the way order works,.

Like,.

Order means you have to have something.

That's cohesive,.

Right?

Where you put everything together and there's structure that makes sense. Now, certainly, like, a building is made of diverse parts, but there's order underneath it,.

Right?

But then,.

If you just have, like...

I mean, just imagine trying to build a building by just taking a bunch of diverse things and throwing them into a pile, and that's what the diversity movement is asking you to do. Just throw a bunch of diverse things together and it's like, well, the result looks pretty bad because there's no order.

To it,.

So we need order to it. We need a way to order it and then we need a way to judge, like, this is not a helpful bit that needs to go into this project here,.

Right?

So, this is... So, some...

So, the issue is,.

Essentially, diversity is not a mitigated good. You need some standard.

To judge it, basically.

Babel, Languages, and Human Unity

You know, one thing that I've thought about while you were talking that I want to ask you about is, you know, when you're reading about, like, the Tower of Babel, for example, you have a large number of people who are unified, right?

They speak the same language. You know, we can assume... We can probably... It's probably safe to assume that their cultures are similar enough that they are willing to work together, right? They're not warring with each other, and they come together to build a tower to essentially reach up to heaven, basically.

And so, what God does is He confuses their language so they can't talk to each other anymore in the same way, right?

We...

They speak different languages now, and He divides them in that way so that they're weaker, and they can't accomplish the goals they've set out.

And so,.

You see this example where this large number of people, they had unity.

Now,.

They were trying to use that unity. They were trying to use the strength that they gained through their unity to do something that was wrong. But, you see,.

Like,.

What God does to fix the problem.

Is, is, um,.

Is essentially make them incapable of communicating with one another anymore. Like, like, hey, there's more languages in the world. You know,.

And,.

And to a lot of people, they might, I don't think anyone's reading that story and saying,.

Oh,.

That's a good thing that God created, you know, created different languages or forced people to come up with new languages, you know, however that worked in the details of it. I don't think anyone's reading that, that, and saying, hey, that's, you know, a good thing that happened for all of humanity right there.

But then, you know, I think in general, we probably think about, hey, the more, you know, the more languages we can have in our church service and whatnot, the better, or something like that. But then, the problem is, it's like, the fact that we all speak different languages divides us and inherently makes us weaker.

And you can't deny that because that's, I mean, that's, God makes humanity weaker by giving them different languages to speak. They can no longer communicate with one another. And so, it seems like, it seems like having that kind of, having that kind of diversity is actually worse for humankind in general.

And it doesn't seem like God really, really, is very concerned with the fact that they aren't diverse when he gives them all those languages. Like, that's never brought up in the passage at all. What he's concerned with is them essentially trying to become like God, right?

Yeah, so,.

I mean,.

I think when you look at the passage,.

I mean,.

I think that is a great example of the kind of thing that I'm talking about.

In that,.

You know,.

Genesis 11 -4, they said, come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with a top in the heavens and let us make a name for ourselves lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.

So,.

God basically tells them,.

Hey,.

Be fruitful,.

Multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. They all gather into one place,.

Right?

Have a party. Start building a tower,.

Right?

So,.

They are,.

I mean,.

Obviously,.

They've set themselves in opposition to the instructions that God has given them which is to spread out. They say, we don't want to be dispersed over the face of the whole earth as God tells us. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men had built.

Which is kind of like.

A patronizing act on his part too,.

Right?

Let me come down and see this little,.

You know,.

Like a Lego thing you made here.

That is going to reach up to heaven. But then, one of the things that's notable is verse six, the Lord said,.

Behold,.

They are one people. They all have one language and this is only the beginning of what they will do and nothing that they propose to do now will be impossible for them.

And so,.

Meaning,.

Because they were unified,.

You know,.

One people,.

One language, all unified, technology just rapidly advanced. And you can see.

The same thing.

Happening with the advent of the internet.

Now that we're,.

You know,.

Individuals are able to communicate over the course of the whole earth. There's more minds.

That, you know,.

Go to work on the same kind of projects. Technology has advanced.

Exponentially.

Since the advent.

Of the internet even, right?

And so,.

That's just a similar.

Kind of thing that's happening.

But then,.

Basically,.

Like the idea is when we were one people with one language, we had a fundamental unity, right, that God disrupted. And one of the reasons why God disrupted it,.

He says,.

Like,.

And nothing that.

They proposed to do will now be impossible for them.

Meaning,.

Like,.

They were on a trajectory of rapid technological advancement and God wanted to slow that down,.

Okay?

Right.

To some extent, but then that all.

Goes to show you.

That.

The idea.

That diversity is our strength is not true.

Like,.

When we were the most unified, we were the most efficient, we would accomplish the most, right?

Right.

But the problem is that we were doing that in opposition to the God plans that God has for us and so he spread the human race out and gave us new languages.

And, like,.

The fact that we all have these different languages has been a fundamental barrier to us coexisting together. If you can't communicate to the same kind of language, you're an outsider.

And a foreigner,.

There's natural distrust that comes from that.

Because you just.

Simply can't talk, right?

So, like,.

You put, and then, you know,.

You have different cultures that are formed, different customs that are formed.

So,.

The fundamental idea here,.

Though,.

Is just to say that you have to have.

Some kind of,.

Like,.

Just diversity.

In of itself.

Is not just a positive good. You have to have something that holds it all together.

And,.

When Jesus came,.

He picked 12 disciples.

He picked.

Very different disciples.

You know,.

He had a zealot, he had a tax collector, he had Jews.

You know,.

Some were fishermen, some were, you know, rich people,.

You know,.

Whatever else.

Like,.

The idea is you take.

Them all together, you put them all together,.

The only thing that.

Held them together was their fundamental allegiance and loyalty to God and to Christ.

When you think about.

The world, you're not going to get unity by putting a bunch of diverse people together. All you're going to get is a bunch of fights.

Diversity, Racism, and the Politics of Equity

Yeah,.

Just look at our country right now. I mean, I would say that we are probably the most diverse we've ever been, and we are the most disunified.

Yeah,.

We're almost like two different countries, but even more than that,.

I mean,.

And then when you.

Accept this rapid out-of-control immigration,.

Like,.

All you're doing.

Is just heaping diversity upon diversity upon diversity, and all that means,.

Like,.

The only way you're going.

To have unity.

Under that project is if anyone who succeeds in that kind of society is willingly plundered in order to give to those who don't,.

Right?

Right.

And basically,.

Just,.

You take everything.

That anyone makes.

That's good,.

And you give it to those who can't make their own things,.