Distinctions between becoming more multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, in a Biblical sense, and the campus orthodoxy of multi-culturalism. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ In the current campus political milieu, certain ideas are rigorously applauded and others are ridiculed. Belief in the sanctity of life, or "image of God" in humankind is ridiculed. Yet "multi-culturalism" is rigorously applauded. Sometimes the distinctions between the two require moral reasoning and no small amount of wisdom, discernment, and diplomacy. Moral reasoning would be enough, except for the fact that being discerning, & having a prophetic voice in this context, means we are entering an arena that has been highly politicized as well. Thus we risk falling prey to the pressure of the civil religion of left and right wing politics, and to guilt by association unless our vernacular matches a certain "correct" line in total. This is precisely what an honest Christian position cannot do. Here are some of the subtle differences between what is my understanding of InterVarsity's commitment to being a multi-ethnic movement ("engaging the campus in all it's ethnic diversity"), appreciating aspects of the image of God as reflected (however marred by sin) in all individuals and cultures, AND what the university culture frequently appears to mean by multi-culturalism. Multi-Ethnic Goals & Affirmations Multi-culturalism ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ We affirm the IMAGE OF GOD as Affirms the relative value of present in all individuals, individuals, PRIMARILY as they ethnicities, and cultures and relate with "TOLERANCE" in realize the evil of denying the global community. AND that image of God, or opting tolerance usually means, for any kind of ethnic super- the ABSENCE OF MORAL REASON- iority. ING, which the Christian believes is part of the evidence for the image of God in people. We believe the image of God is a reflection of the one & only Creator Multi-culturalism rarely God. God is a model of unity and appreciates those who diversity in the sense that from believe in One God, & eternity past God exists as One God especially if this God reveals in three discernible persons. Inter- "truth", as truth can only dependence is seen in God. The be "true subjectively." variety of God's creation speaks of Yahweh's appreciation for the beauty, diversity, and goodness of God's creation. We affirm that HISTORY HAS a MEANING Multi-culturalism tends to DENY and destination. That destination that HISTORY has any objective involves justice, judgment, and a or unified MEANING. If it has redeemed, and reconciled community a destiny at all (and this is that is together before God's throne largely questioned), it would in glad service and praise, with be one of Marxism's utopian ethnicity and cultural distinctions wealth redistribution, PRESENT & united in praise & service. bringing peace and harmony. This "kingdom of God" is both a future Since the collapse of the reality, and something inaugurated former USSR, this "hope" has by God's interventions in human waned significantly. history NOW, and demonstrated in part through reconciled communities of living Christian faith and love. We recognize the image of God as Multi-culturalism frequently visibly present in all GAY and embraces the GAY and LESBIAN lesbian individuals and communities communities as an EXPRESSION but believe this LIFESTYLE IS of a kind of VALUES-NEUTRAL de-humanizing and destructive to the diversity nearly identical persons and communities which celebrate, with ethnic appreciation. It practice & promote this behavior as part is one of many ASPECTS OF of healthy human norm. Because the image humanity which is to be of God is present, we seek reconciliation affirmed, valued, and is a based on the truth of God's created order necessary part of a NORMAL, and God's revealed truth. Homosexuality HARMONIOUS, and FRUITFUL we therefore conclude is an EVIDENCE OF HUMAN WHOLENESS. HUMAN BROKENESS. A Christian multi-ethnicity would view Multi-culturalism celebrates multi-ethnic communities and Christian DIVERSITY FOR DIVERSITY SAKE, expression as OPPORTUNITIES to SEE and at times seems to the IMAGE of God and His REVELATION, have more in common with through a lot of wonderful and diverse NATURE RELIGION (OR neo-pagan perspectives. This ENRICHES each or new age spirituality), than person by expanding their self an appreciation for forgive- UNDERSTANDING in the image of God, ness, truth, or objective as well as their understanding of beauty. Truth claims, values, GOD'S REVELATION both natural and and beauty are only relativ- special. istic qualities of uniform "value". It would seem Multi-ethnic concern speaks to issues that growth is an of power impossibility. because the image of God involves dominion and caretaking of Being tolerant does not make the creation and its order. Some more noble, but simply encour- communities have sought to DENY ages co-existence. This "reli- ACCESS to the created order of the gious" aspect of multi-cultural image of God (i.e. managing, care- relativism can also exhibit taking, dominion) TO OTHER PERSONS itself in secular NATURALISM. and groups DEEMED "less in the the image of God" (or LESS worthy or Multi-culturalism can speak to HIGHLY EVOLVED, etc). We affirm the issues of power, but must do common human parentage of Adam and so on a PURELY PRAGMATIC speak against this EVIL OF DENIED level. It is inadequate ACCESS, both in the individual HUMAN to deal with the deeper human HEART attitudes toward others in the problem, what the Bible calls image of God and in the STRUCTURES sin. Therefore it cannot in which such exclusions have become deal with real forgiveness institutionalized. and reconciliation. We believe that ALL HUMAN POWER IS Multi-culturalism has NO SOURCE DERIVED power from God and part of OF POWER FOR CHANGE EXCEPT the image of God. Therefore the State THAT OF THE STATE. It seeks to is under moral and civil responsibi- deny the role of "morality". lity to the Creator God. It replaces God, with the coercive power of the State. We view these disdained cultures--> Multi-culturalism has tended as having VIRTUES AND SIN like to be ANTI-USA, anti-European, all others. They have also been anti-Greco-Roman culture, influenced by Christianity as have antagonistic toward individual many of the world's cultures. merit, socialistic, and morally, ethically, and culturally We believe God has taught that there relativistic. exist MORAL STANDARDS AND ABSOLUTES (eg. that murder and racism are always wrong and never situationally commendable, tolerable, or excusable). We DO NOT DISDAIN THE MERIT OF THE INDIVIDUAL, NOR DO WE PROMOTE INDIVID- UALISM, and the selfishness that seems inherent within it. Multi-culturalism has a lot of current media, political orthodoxy, and We believe that WORK WAS CREATED before bandwagoning associated the fall of humanity and is an with it. It is NOT EMPOWERING AND DIGNIFYING enterprise. TOLERANT OF some religions We recognize that THE EARTH and the or RELIGIOUS expression universes for that matter, BELONG TO of truth. It has been GOD. We have NO PROBLEM WITH the particularly guilty of concept of work, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT denying access to positions AND AUTHORITY (what has come to be of authority to THEISTS, commonly called "ownership") that be they Muslim or Christian. recognizes God's ownership of every- thing. When "ownership" is exercised according to God's revealed truth, He blesses humanity corperately and As long as there are no individually. truth issues or discernment, and relativism reigns supreme, multi-cultural- ism's limited tolerance will prevail. We firmly believe and emphasize that TOLERANCE CAN EXIST, even WITH CIVILITY IN A CONTEXT OF CONTRASTING Multi-culturalism seems TRUTH CLAIMS, IF OTHER VIRTUES which irrationally FEARFUL OF are taught by Christianity ARE ALSO TRUTH. ENCOURAGED like: love, patience, self control, gentleness, peace, kindness, In seeking to exclude the image of God being honored, Truth and truth claims, renouncing and repenting of manipulation multi-culturalISM IS and coersion but speaking truth plainly sometimes MANIPULATIVE before the human conscience. and coersive. Some big, highly successful We would affirm that "the rain falls business ventures have on the just and unjust alike". Where experienced blessing from individual persons, or larger seeking multi-ethnic institutions, seek to empower persons approaches to management, in God's image (for whatever reasons) supervision, and hiring. and treat them with dignity and Even some aspects of respect, we can expect to see God government have had better bless those individuals and cultures. experiences by expanding multi-ethnically. We affirm truth, feelings, conviction Multi-culturalism of reconciliation, and love with the university variety significant affirmative action as well. emphasizes affirmative action and power issues pragmatically. It devalues truth and love in human relationships. There are exceptions to the general trend in both camps. There are those in the university who seek privately, & at times with high risk publicly, to integrate principles and perspectives from the left column above. There are times when Christians (frustrated by the slow pace of diversity in the obviously diverse campus milieu) can plan and act in ways that are more reductionistic, pragmatic, and even manipulative. Some of us can tend to hide behind abstractions and theology; some become slow and fearful in the application of truth, and change. My desire with the contrasts is not to polarize. I want to help clarify the issues so that meaningful engagement of the ideology of multi-culturalism can have the loving, truthful, and prophetic role it needs to have for us to not lose our saltiness. We must not be guilty of placing our light under bushels of fear or worldly accommodation. Feedback is welcome. This is not meant to be a book or scholarly article, but rather a quick reference (like the chart in Doug Groothius' IVP book "Unmasking the New Age", where he contrasts in a single page chart the worldviews of naturalism, christian theism, and new age pantheism). Thanks for your reflections on these items, and again your input is appreciated. /multieth/meism2 Joe Whitchurch 1-30-95 Addendum: This is a very partial, chronological, Scripture passage list through the arguments in the left column above. Image of God. Gen.1:26-27; 9:6; James 3:9; Acts 17:28, etc The Trinity. Mt.28:19; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, etc. Judgment, Ethnicity before throne of God, Kingdom. Mt 19:28; Act 17:31; Rom 2:16; Rev.7:9f, etc. Human Brokeness in Homosexuality. Rom 1:24, 26; Lev.18:22; 1Tim 1:10; Jude 1:7; 1Cor.6:9-11 which also states that "such were some of you" indicating that such are in the image of God and thus are redeemable, etc. Growth, insight, and development through appreciating ethnic diversity. Jonah 4 (his reflections on God) Acts 10 (Peter's growing understanding of God), John 4 (the disciples seeing Jesus in ministry), Eph 2, "wall of hostility" the "one new body" etc. Adam as every human's final, greatest grandparent. Acts 17:26-28; Romans 5, etc. All human power including government is derived power. Derived from God. Mat.28:18; John 19:11, etc. God gives moral absolutes. Exodus 20:1-17; Mat.5:17, etc. Individual is valued, without endorsing individualism. Mat.10:30; Ezekiel 18; Mark 8:36, etc. Caretaking of Earth and Work before Fall. Genesis 1-3, etc. Property management (buying, selling, giving) and God's ownership. Lu.8:1-2; Act 4:36; God owns (ultimately) everything Mat 6:24; Psa 24:1, etc. Qualities that are taught by the Christian faith that enhance a dignified tolerance and not just co-existence. Gal.5:22f fruit of the Spirit; 1Cor4:1-2, truth without manipulation etc. "Rain on the just and the unjust." Mat.5:45, and many of the Psalms, etc. Affirmative action in spirit and behavior. The whole tenure of Jesus' empowering compassion toward all with whom He interacted. A significant example in the early church is seen in Acts 6:1-7 and it is Spirit-led, voluntary, Christ-honoring, and helps the poor who were being defacto overlooked.