A quick search of DEI on the internet finds the following:
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Image: Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
Diversity refers to the presence of differences within a given setting or group. In the workplace, this can encompass various aspects of human difference, including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic class.
Equity focuses on ensuring fairness in treatment, access, and opportunity for all individuals. It acknowledges that different people have different starting points and may need varying levels of support to achieve success. Equity goes beyond equality by recognizing and addressing systemic barriers that prevent some individuals from thriving.
Inclusion aims to create a culture of belonging by actively welcoming, valuing, and respecting all people. This involves intentionally building an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and grow, regardless of their background or identity.”
The critique of contemporary, cultural DEI includes that it results in “reverse discrimination” … that DEI quotas undermine meritocracy … that it lowers standards … that it prioritizes demographics over qualifications … and that it is divisive and counterproductive.
I would add that cultural DEI ideology is based on a neo-Marxist Critical Theory that divides the world into “Haves and Have-nots,” and “Oppressed and Oppressors” (see: https://www.britannica.com/topic/critical-theory).
THE RIGHT KIND OF DIVERSITY
The New Testament points to a different kind of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Not a political, economic, racial, or gender one, but a spiritual one.
Rev. 7:9 “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
Talk about diversity: every nation, tribe, people, and language. Where was this diverse multitude of people, and what were they doing?
Rev. 7:9-10 “They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”
Rev. 7:14-17 “And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’ 15 Therefore, ‘they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
They are in Heaven, worshipping the Lamb of God (Jesus), who has saved them.
THE RIGHT KIND OF EQUITY
Those who came out of the Great Tribulation and are worshipping the Lamb (Jesus) in Revelation 7 are not the only ones who will be in Heaven:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Whoever believes in him (Jesus) … equally … from wherever they are … from whatever background … from all over the world … whenever they turn to him (as Jesus teaches below in the parable of the Landowner who hired people at different times of the day and gave each the same payment) will will receive a full share of God’s saving grace, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life promised by Jesus.
Matt. 20:13-15 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’”
Note: the story Jesus tells is not a story advocating socialism (“Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money”) but a story pointing to the generosity of God’s grace. We each get a full share of his saving work no matter when we turn to Jesus (and yes, the parable prompts us toward generosity too … and there are other verses that point to rewards and accountability for how we live our lives here on earth).
THE RIGHT KIND OF INCLUSION
What does it take to be included?
Rom. 10:9-13 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Whoever confesses Jesus is Lord and believes that God raised him from the dead will be saved. Whoever … Wherever … and Whatever. Whatever tribe, tongue, or language … Whether Jew or non-Jew … young or old … male or female. No quotas … just confessing Jesus is Lord and believing that God raised him from the dead. That’s all it takes to be included.
KINGDOM DEI: PROCLAIM IT … TO EVERYONE … EVERYWHERE
That is our mandate. It is to:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:25).
It is to:
“… make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I [Jesus] have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
It is to:
“Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find” (Matt. 22:9).
That’s our message.
“You’re invited!” “You can be included!” “You.” “Wherever you’re from.” “Whoever you are.” “Whatever stage of life you are.”
“Just kneel before the empty Cross and the empty Tomb.”
“Just confess Jesus as the Risen Lord who came to rescue you and give you new life … eternal life.”
“No cost; it’s already been paid.”
DET KINGDOM DEI: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
The two screenshots here capture a bit of our Global Training Network (GTN) Divine Expedition Training (DET) DEI. They are of a recent Zoom call with our growing DET International Leadership team.
Counter clockwise, the photo on the left is of Phil Graf, Jane Hawkins (in Brazil), fellow American Stan Gerlach, British Richard Wallace (who grew up in Africa, lives in England, and is married to a Dutch woman), Samir (Sammy)-Mohammed-Salim-Pedro-Diab (born in the Middle East to a muslim family, but grew up and became Christian in Brazil) … and me.
Jane had to leave and Brazilian Lito joined us in the second photo (I like the second photo of me better :-).
This is just part of our GTN DET DEI team. There are more—representing five continents, a dozen countries, and thousands of followers of Jesus.
We are Diverse (ethnically, nationally, linguistically), Equal (in our standing before God and passion to reach others with the Gospel), and Inclusive (of all who call on the Name of Jesus).
We are united in proclaiming to Everyone, Everywhere:
Rev. 22:17 “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
We are grateful to be part of the true DEI … the Kingdom of God one … and grateful that you are too.
Linus for the Divine Expedition team
P.S. Lest I be misunderstood, I am not saying that we should turn a blind eye to injustice. I believe that when we receive Jesus as Lord of our lives and draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit, we are also to heed Biblical admonitions such as Micah 6:8:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
But I also believe that the most compassionate thing we can do is to introduce people to the good news of forgiveness and being made right with God through Jesus.
On Expedition + 
So agree! Gre