Diversity seems to be its own reward today. We pursue racial diversity in our schools, events, and communities out of a vague sense that this display confers moral superiority. Monolithic groups endure scorn for belonging to a backward time.
It might be tempting, then, to react by calling for color blindness in our churches and the broader society. But this luxury belongs only to the majority culture who does not so acutely feel out of step with the prevailing language and customs. We might not want or need to always think about race, but we can’t avoid it altogether.
As John Piper explains in this interview about his new book Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian (Crossway) [review], stereotypes are inevitable. So how can we ensure they lead us to rejoice in our God-given diversity rather than to wield them in sinful judgment? We spoke about what’s at stake in our pursuit of racial and ethnic harmony and why we so desperately need the grace of God to prevail.
