‘Learn to do good; seek justice. Correct oppression’ – Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)
It should never have happened, but somehow, in the earliest years of the Church’s history, the ugly demon of discrimination arose. Luke describes its manifestation in the fifth chapter of Acts (6:1-7). As the Church grew, and its membership became more diverse, it was noticed that something was rotten in the administration of the food assistance program for widows. The Greek speaking believers brought it to everyone’s attention that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. It’s hard to say whether this was done intentionally or not. It may have been, or it may have been the case that the still majority ethnically Jewish believers had simply gravitated in their relationships to those who were like them, carelessly disregarding the prejudicial effects of their behavior. Whatever the case, an injustice was happening, and while the Jewish believers may not have noticed it, the folks on the receiving end of this discriminatory practice did. I suppose this was to be expected. In every era, those who benefit from discriminatory systems rarely notice the ones who are being hurt until the latter make noise loud enough to be heard.
Well, the Apostles heard, and immediately acted to correct the injustice. They appointed seven men to oversee the food assistance program in a manner that would ensure fairness and equity. Discrimination was, in the syntax of Diane Chambers, something up with which they would not put. It had to be redressed, for the sake of those discriminated against, for the sake of showing those doing the discriminating the error of their ways, and for the sake of the Church’s witness to a diverse world. Jesus had taught them too well: there was no room for discrimination in the Body of Christ.
That they acted decisively is a credit to them. That they chose the seven men they did shows just committed they were to the principle of inclusiveness. The seven men they appointed were: Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch. The last, Nicolas of Antioch is the most easily identified as a Greek, but if you look closer you will discover something truly remarkable: they all were. Every one of the seven men appointed to oversee the distribution of food to widows bore a Greek name. The Apostles did more than just stop the discrimination. They looked around at the Church’s leadership (themselves) saw that it consisted entirely of Jewish believers, and said, ‘we need to diversify the Church’s leadership. We need to appoint some Greeks.’ And so they did. All seven of the new church deacons were believers who hailed from the Greek speaking world.
This was a brilliant, Gospel affirming move. For one thing, the presence of Greeks told those who had been discriminated against that their concerns had been taken seriously. But more than that, it sent a message to the both the Church and those she sought to bring to faith that Jesus was for everyone, that everyone in the church was equal, everyone was welcome, and that discrimination would never be tolerated. It created an atmosphere in which everyone could feel safe, accepted, and loved. It created an atmosphere conducive to fellowship and trust. It made for a more dynamic and effective Church.
I’ve been thinking about this episode in the life of the early Church in the wake of some comments I heard recently from the mouths of professing Christians lamenting the existence of D.E.I. For those unfamiliar with the acronym, it stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. D.E.I. has become the latest target of the far right.[1] D.E.I. refers to various attempts made by certain institutions (colleges, businesses, government) to diversify their organizations by ensuring that people of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds are represented within them. One of the reasons such institutions do this is that they believe it provides a better environment for everyone. College life, both academically and otherwise, is enriched by the presence of various perspectives and experiences. Businesses find that diversity can be a tool for sharpening a workforce, and for ensuring better relations and connections with a diverse clientele. The government too understands such principles. D.E.I. initiatives are thus welcomed by many who lead institutions for their positive benefits to their organizations. Much in the way the Apostles understood that diversity made for a better and more effective Church, modern leaders see how diversity enriches their organizations, and those they serve, as well.
D.E.I. is also favored in certain circles because it represents an attempt to redress the ongoing problem of discrimination, which is of course what drives its detractors to apoplexy. America has a long and inglorious tradition in which any attempt to redress the history, legacy, or present reality of racism is met with overt hostility. It seems that some refuse to accept that racism is, or ever has been, a problem in this country. Presidential Candidate Nikky Haley’s recent comment that America is not, nor has ever been, a racist country, is a case in point. Her remark is so ridiculous I won’t waste time refuting it here.[2] America is racist through and through. Racism is this country’s original sin and has never adequately been addressed. Anyone who says differently is either oblivious to the point where we should wonder if they are even awake, or, and sadly I suspect this is more often the case, content to live with a system that devastates certain communities of people, so long as it benefits them.
One wonders what such people would have said had they been present in the early Church, when the Greek speaking Jews came with their complaint of discrimination.
Thankfully, they were not in charge at the time. The Apostles were. And the Apostles knew the right thing to do was to follow the way of Jesus, and the words of Isaiah. The right thing to do was to correct the oppression.
It doesn’t take much imagination to discern what the Apostles would think of D.E.I. I don’t know what they would say about every application of it. This is not the place to address every complaint that might be registered about the manner in which D.E.I. is carried out in every institution. But in terms of the general philosophy regarding what to do when it is recognized that certain people groups have experienced discrimination that damages both them and the righteousness of the overall system in which they live, move, and breathe, I don’t think there is much question what they would do. In terms of a society with as pernicious a history, as toxic a legacy, and as ugly a present reality of racism as America’s, there isn’t much question what they would do were they in charge.
They would diversify. They would equalize. They would include.
They certainly wouldn’t rail against the attempt to do so, as some professing Christians do.
For such things reflect the Gospel of the One who includes all, treats everyone equally, and commands that positive steps be taken to correct injustice and oppression.
Under Christ’s Mercy,
Brent
[1] In a recent Holy Post Podcast, Skye Jethani remarked that the far right seems to have a problem with certain acronyms, specifically BLM, CRT, and now, DEI. Anything that highlights or attempts to redress racism is anathema to such people. In my judgment, it doesn’t take too much thinking to realize that what they really oppose is the advancement, or even fair treatment, of people of color.
[2] There are plenty of books you could read, should you care to learn about this country’s pernicious and ongoing history of racial discrimination. Among my recommendations would be Drew Hart’s Trouble I’ve Seen, Carol Anderson’s White Rage, Michael Eric’s Dyson Tears We Cannot Stop, Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, or Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste.