DEI or Imago Dei: How to Discern Biblical Truth
Abstract:
I wonder how many people would be able to give a good, accurate definition of DEI, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Recently I decided to dig into this subject to gain a better understanding of DEI. My goal is to better understand what it is teaching and how it aligns or misaligns with what our Creator, God has to say about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Ultimately, this post aims to share what I have learned and to help others come to a better understanding of the subject of DEI and ID (Imago Dei.) These topics are addressed:
- DEI does speak to real issues
- Secular meaning of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Biblical meaning of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- DEI, a noble idea, But…
- Different outcomes depending on how the words – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion – are defined.
- And very importantly- discussing the significantly different outcomes of each.
- Examples of DEI in Public Education
- Summary
- Further Reading
I want to point out that this topic is very complex! I have searched for and found many good resources! You will find links to these resources within this post which will enable a deeper understanding than this post intends to provide.
DEI Does Speak to Real Issues
In his article, DEI and the Gospel: Affirming the Good, Rejecting the False, and offering a Biblical Vision, Dr. Tim Orr begins his article with this paragraph:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become one of the most powerful forces shaping contemporary culture, affecting policies in corporations, universities, and even churches. While DEI is often presented as a neutral or benevolent initiative designed to ensure fairness and justice, a closer examination reveals that it is far more than a set of workplace policies. It is an ideological system with deep philosophical roots, drawing from postmodernism, critical theory, and identity politics. Rather than merely addressing issues of fairness, DEI introduces a new way of understanding human identity, justice, and morality—one that often conflicts with biblical truth.
For Christians, this presents a challenge. Some believers embrace DEI uncritically, assuming that it aligns with Christian values because it speaks about justice and inclusion. Others reject it outright, seeing it as a manifestation of secularism and leftist politics.
It’s important to note that Dr. Orr acknowledges that DEI does speak to real issues – issues of fairness, justice, and the treatment of marginalized groups and confirms that these concerns need to be addressed. Why? Because the Bible commands us to care for the vulnerable and to seek justice for the oppressed.
However, Dr. Orr points out a couple of concerns:
- Many Christians have simply either embraced or opposed DEI without thoughtfully discerning its principles and how they align with Biblical truth.
- The problem with DEI is not the issues it raises but the ideological framework it uses to address the issues.
Secular Meaning of DEI, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Secular DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Merriam-Webster dictionary says that it is:
a set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against.
First, let’s look at the definition of each word according to the dictionary.
Secular Diversity:
The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” [1] (Oxford English Dictionary)
Secular Equity:
The quality of being fair and impartial. (emphasis added) (definition from Oxford Languages)
Secular Inclusion:
The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups. (definition from Oxford Languages)
Biblical Meaning of DEI, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Biblical Diversity:
Diversity was God’s idea. Even a cursory study of science reveals an amazing variety of plant and animal life. People, God’s final creation, are diverse, too. He did not create us as clones or robots. He created two different genders. Mark 10:6 The creation of male and female is diversity at its most basic—the sexes are very different, yet complementary. (gotquestions.org)
Being made in the image of God Genesis 1:27 is foundational to the Christian faith. Christians (Christ-followers) believe that all people, including the not yet born, have inherent value, worth, and dignity because they are created by God.
God continued to create diversity at the Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:9. That is how different ethnic groups began. Check out this article: How Many Races Did God Create?
Significantly, the Bible speaks of diverse people groups and establishes that God made each person uniquely. Psalm 139:14 The Bible also refers to differing ethnic groups and nations. Notably, it never groups people of one skin colour into race which is a human designed social construct.
Biblical Equity:
Notably, Equity is a biblical word. In the following Bible verses we understand that equity refers to God’s love for justice, fairness impartiality and righteousness. Psalm 96:10, Psalm 98:9, Psalm 99:4; Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34,35;
Equity is the English translation of one of several Hebrew words (miyshor and related words) for “justice” (used more in the King James Version than in more modern translations).
God loves every created person who has been or will be born and knew each one intimately before he/she was ever born. Psalm 139:13-15; Acts 17:26; 1 Timothy 2:4
Biblical Inclusion:
Importantly, God tells us to love all people. Jesus was the best example of this as He reached out to the outcasts of His day who were not particularly lovable. Jesus invites all people to follow Him.
Inclusion refers to the way that God invites everyone to pursue His Kingdom work, as He calls His Church to sacrificially love one another in unity. In Paul’s letters he exhorts the Church to lay aside our earthly differences to find unity in the cross of Christ.
There are over 100 Bible verses on the topic of inclusion that I found. Here are a few:
- Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
- For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
- The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that He has made. Psalm 145:9
So, loving our neighbor involves meeting the needs of those who suffer, no matter what their race, i.e., the parable of the good Samaritan Luke 10:25 to 37
More verses that demonstrate God’s love for all people:
Galatians 3:28; Romans 12:15-18; James 2:1-4; Luke 14: 13-14; Ephesians 4:25; Deuteronomy 10:17
DEI, a Noble Ideal, But.....
Further, before diving into the practice and differences, I want to share a paragraph from a post: DEI and Imago Dei by mrsloomisPhD. She writes….
On the face of it, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a humanist parallel to the Christian conception of Imago DEI. But there is a striking difference between them: while the biblical principle is rooted in a belief that all of humanity is to be equally valued as the God-breathed pinnacle of creation, the other is grounded in a Freirean conviction of oppressors and oppressed in a constant battle for domination.
DEI, while a noble ideal, has been politicized to the point that diversity, equity, and inclusion are for everyone except perceived oppressors, generally defined as white and/or Christian.
The following quote is by Neil Shenvi who wrote an excellent article – DEI Done Right: Disentangling Christian Community from Critical Theory
“But before I offer any critique of critical theory-based DEI programs, let me call attention to some of the positive aspects of these initiatives. Even if we strongly disagree with their ideological foundations, like I do, we should recognize that they’re trying to solve real problems that Christians can acknowledge.”
With this in mind, Shenvi states (and gives examples) that there are some positive goals of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion such as:
- Some kinds of institutional diversity is good and should be encouraged.
- Formal equality does not guarantee equality of opportunity.
- Unequal treatment is sometimes fair.
- Institutional culture can sometimes unfairly/unintentionally exclude or marginalize.
Application outcomes of DEI - Secular versus Biblical
Secular Diversity emphasizes the personal identity of the individual, background and identity markers. The University of Virginia provides this definition: Diversity is the presence and acceptance of differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, culture, citizenship, marital status, life and career paths, socioeconomic status, educational background, workplace position, language or dialect, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, or political perspective.
It’s important to realize that Diversity hiring may apply reverse discrimination. Consider the following job ad reported by The National Post in an article on February 19, 2024. Tyler Dawson reported on two research chair positions open at the University of Waterloo.
Position 1, was open only to qualified individuals who self identify as women, transgender, gender-fluid, non-binary, or Two-spirit.
Position 2, was open only to qualified individuals who self identify as a member of a racialized minority.
On February 11, 2025 in another article, Mark Milke: Taking stock of discriminatory hiring practices at Canadian universities, the National Post reports on this same issue. The following is an excerpt:
the University of New Brunswick, for example, excluded white males from applying to the department of physics for a research chair position in “quantum sensors for space”; at UBC, nearly one out of every five academic postings explicitly restricted the job to a particular race, ethnicity, group identity or other immutable trait.
An article in “Minding the Campus” by Maximilian Werner, January 16, 2025 these thoughts were expressed:
Although opposition to DEI in higher education has many causes, resistance to DEI statements themselves largely stems from how the statements are sometimes used as ideological litmus tests that prioritize political conformity and homogeneity over intellectual diversity and merit-based hiring while simultaneously curtailing or outright eliminating consideration of qualified applicants who do not unequivocally conform to the prescribed approach to social justice. However well-intentioned, the statements function more as what one writer described as “compelled speech” than as mechanisms for choosing the best candidates while undermining academic freedom. And that is a problem, not just for higher education but for prospective students and faculty as well.
Biblical Diversity: The Bible teaches that:
- Humans were created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26;
- Christians are taught to value those who are different from us; everyone has a purpose and a function, and are worthy of dignity and respect. 1 Corinthians 12:12 -26.
- The church is made up of diverse people groups bracket, i.e. male/female, Jew/Gentile bracket; in Christ, all our equal, Galatians 3:28
- God‘s people are made up of Jesus followers from every nation, tribe, and language Revelation 7:9
Biblical diversity is unlike DEI which groups people according to race, gender and social class to be defined by their group identity. DEI reinforces division rather than overcoming differences.
Equity Outcomes: Secular vs Biblical
The Secular definition of equity, at least for Critical Theorists, goes beyond equal opportunity since the desire for equal outcomes is the ultimate goal. As a result, systems or conditions that do not lead to equal outcomes are seen as unacceptable. Therefore, they assume that there must not have been equality of opportunity.
There is an implication that as humans we need to take control and create justice by our own power.
The Biblical definition of Equity refers to God’s love for justice and fairness, and the value He places on individuals. God looks beyond earthly status, and we are promised that His ultimate judgement will reflect His righteous character.
For example God sees all people equally:
- We have all been born with a sin nature. Romans 5:12-21
- No one measures up to God’s standard of holiness. Romans 3:23
- Everyone needs Jesus as their Savior and He extends forgiveness to all who come in genuine repentance to the cross. John 3:16,17
- God shows no partiality in His love for people. Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11
- God will judge all people with equity and fairness.
Inclusion Outcomes- Secular versus Biblical
The Ai Overview states the following benefits of DEI for Secular individuals:
Secular individuals can benefit from DEI initiatives through enhanced opportunities, a more inclusive environment, and reduced discrimination. These initiatives can lead to fairer treatment, improved employee engagement, and increased access to resources, regardless of religious beliefs.
Notable Issues that Christians will likely face in a DEI environment.
- Tolerance has been redefined so that those who do not affirm modern culture’s new social trends will be accused of discrimination. Why is it that a Christian’s beliefs are met with so much opposition in a culture that claims “tolerance”?
- Modern culture has redefined the word ‘woman’ and claim that gender is based on identification and not biological sex.
- Contemporary society reinforces these redefined ideas and has zero tolerance for those who may have different opinions.
- Challenges related to balancing their faith with DEI goals, particularly when it comes to views on gender identity and sexual orientation. Some DEI initiatives may align with Christian values, while others may challenge or contradict them. Are the historic Christian beliefs of gender, marriage, equity, and truth, deemed worthy of being included?
- “Diversity, equity, and inclusion,” definitions that are different in the Secular Worldview than they are in the Christian Worldview. This can potentially lead to disagreements.
- Expectation to affirm DEI initiatives rooted in critical race theory which are not compatible with Christian theological perspectives.
Understanding the Origins of DEI and the Influences of DEI Teaching and How it Differs from ID
ID stands for Imago Dei means: made in the image of God. Yes, God does value diversity, equity and inclusion. These are Christian values as seen in creation, Jesus’ teachings, and God’s plan for salvation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have always been Christian values. We see examples of these concepts in creation, in Jesus’ teaching, and in the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation. God’s creation reveals an amazing diversity of human beings from “every tribe, and tongue, and nation” who all have equal value and dignity in His eyes.
But as Christians, we have to realize that many conflicts between our Christian perspectives and worldly perspectives arise from usage of language. Differences are often magnified because of the way we define words and the way we use language that is filtered by a certain political or ideological lens.
According to an article in Forbes by Julie Kratz, The Little Known History Of DEI And Why It’s Critical To Its Survival, many DEI supporters cite the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a catalyst for the modern DEI industry. The act made discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin illegal in employment, leading to further developments.
In each decade over the past 70 years there has been continued expansion of DEI initiatives which you can read about in this article in the above link.
Jumping ahead to the 2020’s organizations like BlackLives Matter and StopAAPIHate, started a renewed focus on addressing social injustices and bringing them into the professional world.
For sure, Neil Shenvi’s very in-depth post: DEI Done Right: Disentangling Christian Community from Critical Theory, is a must read for anyone who desires to understand what is happening in our culture.
He states that
“while most DEI programs are rooted in critical theory, we can think about these concepts in ways that are compatible with Christianity. In other words, we can see our churches, universities, and institutions as places where diversity, equity and inclusion can be fostered provided that we define these terms is a biblical way and explicitly reject definitions rooted in critical theory.
I want to emphasize his last sentence: “In other words, we can see our churches, universities, and institutions as places where diversity, equity and inclusion can be fostered provided that we define these terms is a biblical way and explicitly reject definitions rooted in critical theory
The aim of his article is to show how to do that.
Shenvi recognizes that there is something going on in our culture that is impacting it significantly. Namely- contemporary critical theory.
He states:
As Christians, we simply cannot accept critical theorists’ understanding of oppression, justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and a host of other concepts.
Why not? Because the critical theorist’s understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion is fundamentally flawed.
Please read his excellent article using the Link to his article at top of this section.
Examples of DEI in Public Education
The Truth About DEI in Schools: How It’s Changing Education by Goldwater Institute (Video Link)
Goldwater Institute says that DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are great empathetic words and when you put them all together you get a movement of programs that appeal to the compassion and good intentions of our society. The programs are supposed to promote fair treatment and participation for everyone especially those groups that especially suffered under discrimination, bondage or injustice. And, Let’s be honest, in our Country, like most Countries, that’s included a lot of people throughout our history.
So, that sounds good right? Promote fair treatment and participation for everyone? In reality, are these programs doing what they promise?
What is DEI actually teaching? Part of it is Critical Race Theory
- There are different types of oppression.
- There are 2 categories of people The Oppressors (Privileged Group & Border Social Groups) and The Oppressed (Oppressed Social Groups)
- A dominant culture of white, middle class, cisgender, educated able-bodied Christians have and will always be responsible for holding other groups down.
Some schools are eliminating honors and gifted programs and even standardized tests as they supposedly promote systemic racism rather than hard work or achievement.
A study done by American Experiment called DEI training and it’s dangerous, counterproductive impacts, came to this conclusion:
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives typically purport goals of combating bias and promoting inclusivity, but an experiment on the topic has found that its pedagogy produces hostile attribution bias. (emphasis added)
What is hostile attribution bias?
Hostile attribution bias, or hostile attribution of intent, is the tendency to interpret others’ behaviors as having hostile intent, even when the behavior is ambiguous or benign. Wikipedia
Critical Race Theory- Some of its teachings.
The following statements are part of an essay by Ibram X. Kendi/Robin DiAngelo. To show more clearly the beliefs of these prominent activist writers, I am listing them in bullet form.
- White people raised in Western society are conditioned into a white supremacist worldview.
- Racism is the norm; it is not unusual. As a result, interaction with White people is at times so overwhelming, draining, and incomprehensible that it causes serious anguish for People of Color.
- Furthermore, racism is essentially capitalist; capitalism is essentially racist. To love capitalism is to love racism. The U.S. economy, a system of capitalist greed, was based on the enslavement of African people, the displacement and genocide of Indigenous people, and the annexation of Mexican lands. We must deploy antiracist power to compel or drive from power the racist policymakers and institute policy that is antiracist and anti-capitalist.
- Additionally, the ideologies of objectivity, individualism, and meritocracy are social forces that function powerfully to hold the racial hierarchy in place.
- White people in North America live in a society that is deeply separate and unequal by race, and White people are the beneficiaries of that separation and inequality.
- As a result, they come to feel entitled to and deserving of their advantages.
- The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination.
EGALE is an organization in Canada that provides Teaching Resources for Canadian schools. Below are links to a sample of their content:
Summary
In summary/closing of this very long article, I am using the final paragraph from an excellent and thorough article I referenced previously. DEI Done Right: Disentangling Christian Community From Critical Theory.” by Neil Shenvi.
Finally, any Christian DEI initiative has to be grounded in our unity in Christ. We don’t create this unity. We don’t manufacture it. We don’t work for it. It was purchased for us by Jesus on the cross 2,000 years ago. It is a fact. All we’re called to do is to live it out. To maintain it. To display it. Critical theory divides the world up into oppressed groups and their oppressors along lines of race, class, and gender. Christianity says: “no. You are all made in the Image of God. You are all fallen, corrupt rebels who were dead in sin. And you have now been brought into the family of God through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. The walls between Jew and Greek, male and female, slave and free have all been broken down. You are all one now in Christ Jesus.”
I have spent many hours searching, reading and pondering on this topic. I hope that you will find it helpful, fair and Biblically sound as you seek to discern Biblical Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
I want to thank all of you, whose writings I have read and referenced, for your very well researched, insightful articles and posts!
Lorna
Further Reading:
Are Wokeness, CRT, DEI, and Intersectionality Biblical or Biblically Unethical?
What do we really mean by ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’?
Reflections on Diversity from a Biblical Worldview.
What Does the Bible say About Equity vs Equality?
God’s View of Equality and Equity
God’s Image and Human Diversity
Instructing Animosity: How DEI Pedagogy Produces the Hostile Attribution Bias
