Inclusivity
I drive up Gage Boulevard often. Near 21st Street (going north) is a church with a sign stating that inclusivity and diversity are positive traits associated with it. I had to stop and think about that.
On one hand, diversity, or having differences, is positive in a group setting. One person may not have the optimal answer and the odds of finding it increase with a team with diverse perspectives. On the other hand, differences can be a distraction or even “a group killer” in certain circumstances. For example, if a group is gathered to implement a new procedure and one team member is adamantly against the new procedure, they may bring up roadblocks to delay its implementation.
“Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain,” - 1 Timothy 6:2-6 ESV
What’s the difference, you might ask? Well, the difference is whether everyone in the group has a collective understanding of the goal and its importance. That is why we have essential doctrine—a common set of beliefs we should agree to.
To be clear, individuals have left churches and churches have split over non-essential doctrine (among other reasons).
But, back to the church advertising diversity and inclusivity. I’m more than fine with a church stating they encourage and love all people who want to come to worship. A church is a hospital for sinners. While my sin might be harder to see on the outside than someone else’s, we are all sinners and deserve death, but for the saving grace of Jesus.
Unfortunately, in the world in which we live, churches' advertising inclusivity usually means they selectively condone sin that deviates from biblical teachings. In the same way, I can categorically declare my sins don’t make me a better person than you with your sins; I can’t point to something like homosexuality and dismiss it as a sin. The Bible is clear that it is sinful behavior.
“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” - 1 Timothy 1:8-11
A couple of days ago, someone posted asking what people thought of the Bad Bunny halftime performance. I was feeling a little snarky and commented I didn’t watch it because I was watching the TPUSA halftime performance. I wasn’t surprised that I got several people who either liked, disliked or commented on my statement. I was surprised by
the person who referred to me as an “old, white, racist man” (they didn’t even know me).
My point is, when people see words like “diversity” or even “watched the TPUSA performance,” they read much more into it than the words themselves. Inclusivity is good when everyone shares the same theology, but it can be detrimental when they try to force everyone to a doctrine that doesn’t match the Bible.
