Where Can Unity in Diversity Be Found in Christian Schools?

The month of February is a big month in schools. Much of the curriculum-based class discussions take detours into topics of diversity and unity. The historical significance of our past as a country, and the current state of human rights and prejudice are all important discussions. These are also very difficult problems to teach, much less lead students in change. In Christian schools we have an advantage in these discussions because the answer to racial equality, diversity, and unity is found in Christ.

Recently I heard a sermon from Acts 10:34. One word jumped of the page at me as the passage was being read. “So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality’”. In context, this verse comes as Peter begins to teach about the Gospel being open to Gentiles after his vision of the sheet. The word partiality in the Greek literally means “accepting the face.” This means there is a total rejection of bias based on race and ethnicity in the eyes of God.

As Christian educators shape the next generation the truth of Acts 10 is important, but the discussion cannot end at respect and appreciation for all. We need to take the conversation further to where unity can be found. Gal. 3:28 reminds us that racial divisions are not unique to recent history. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The emphasis in this verse should be that it is Christ who makes us one. Not only is Christ the unifying agent between people with differences and biases, He is also the one who brings us peace in the midst of conflict. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14).

So, what is the path to unity and equality? It is Christ. This is where we must focus our students when it comes to the difficult issues of today.