The Book of Genesis (1:26) tells us we were all made in God’s image and likeness. Yet how can that be when human beings all have different shades of skin, different genders, different facial features, different abilities, different limitations? Image and likeness must refer to more than our physical nature.

To be created in the image and likeness of God is to be created in love, for God is love (1 John 4:8), and to be merciful and gracious, slow to anger, rich in kindness (Ps. 103:8). If you have any doubt about that being the nature of who we are created to be, observe a small child. They are loving, kind, generous, merciful.

Still, God could have chosen to create humanity with the same color skin, the same facial features, the same abilities and limitations, but chose instead to create us in the vast array that we are. Despite the diversity of humankind, Peter told Cornelius, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35) St. Paul tells us there is no distinction between us in God’s eyes, regardless of our beliefs, nationality, gender or status in life (Gal. 3:28). Paul also tells us that although we each have different gifts and different roles in the body of Christ, no one is less important than another (1 Cor. 12). We are all equally children of God, we are all included in God’s plan of salvation.

Although diversity, equity and inclusion have been vilified by some, it seems clear those traits were intended to be part of God’s plan from the beginning. Maybe that is due in part to the diversity and equality included in the Godhead itself – three different “persons”, three different roles.

Coincidentally, even curiously, the Latin word for God is DEI. Ponder that for a moment. Besides DEI being shorthand for diversity, equity and inclusion, it is also another word for God.

Perhaps we who believe we are created in the image and likeness of God need to reclaim those three letters and proclaim that all are Imago Dei, that God’s image and likeness is indeed one of diversity, equity and inclusion.

– Marge Lindell