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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  1. Whitworth University
  2. Administration
  3. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  4. Theological Grounding

Theological Grounding[i]

The Whitworth Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion centers its work in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and models its work, programming and initiatives on the life and ministry of Jesus who repeatedly calls us to follow him. Christ's life and ministry is characterized by the following themes which guide the office's work and mission:

God loves, and demonstrates His desire for, a diverse world:
 
The triune God is love, and God freely created the world as an outpouring of love. Creation is immensely diverse, and God loves everything in it. We see God's love of diversity epitomized in his atoning sacrifice and gift of his Holy Spirit made available for all people and extending beyond all human division.[i] God celebrates the diversity of people and of His church. We are called to recognize and draw upon the wealth of resources that a diverse church brings in helping us to better understand God and each other, and to fulfill our calling to reach unity in faith, and bring peace and healing to our world.[ii] And we look with hope to the day when, in its diversity, "every nation, tribe, people and language … will stand before the throne and before the Lamb."[iii]

Christ's ministry focuses on bringing healing and justice to the marginalized, and challenges oppressive structures.

Although Jesus's love is universal and his gift of life is available to all people, his ministry places special emphasis on bringing healing and restoration to those who have experienced injustice or marginalization. Jesus defines his ministry as one aimed to "bring good news to the poor … to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free… ."[iv] Jesus ultimately identifies with the poor and marginalized, and proclaims that those under the yolk of injustice will ultimately find comfort, peace, and healing in God.[v] He repeatedly challenges people to critically examine their own power and privilege, and actively works to dismantle oppressive structures that perpetuate harm and injustice.[vi]

As followers of Christ, we are called to live with humility and love, working to bring God's kingdom through reconciliation and restoration.

Jesus demonstrated perfect humility and love unto death, and we are called to lives of humble service to those who are different than us.[vii] Rather than counting ourselves above others, we are to recognize that all people as image bearers of God, who Jesus has reconciled to God, and are worthy of dignity and respect.[viii] Our differences ought to be utilized for the common end of honoring God, and serving others in love, particularly those who are in need and are marginalized.  We are also called to examine our own lives and repent for the ways in which we contribute to other's suffering or are complicit in oppressive structures and systems.[ix] Having received the gift of reconciliation with God through Christ, we ought to turn from our sin and provide reparation to, and reconciliation with those who we've treated unjustly.[x] Indeed, our call to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves, entails that we care and provide restoration for the marginalized, and address injustice and oppression whatever its causes.[xi] Jesus reminds us that loving our neighbor in need and loving God are one in the same. "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me." [xii]
 
Ongoing work of the Whitworth Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • Supporting faculty to develop curricular programs that address diverse cultural perspectives and social issues, and to practice inclusive excellence in the classroom.
  • Offer support and resources to the Whitworth Office of Student Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in their delivery of co-curricular programming for our diverse students.
  • Conduct regular campus climate surveys for the university.
  • Provide workshops and trainings for the university around issues of social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion with the goal of promoting institutional and social change.
  • Support professional development opportunities for faculty and staff that will increase Whitworth's capacity to promote an equitable and inclusive community.
  • Provide and support opportunities for community building for our diverse students, faculty, and staff in a way that strengthens our relationships with one another and fosters inclusion.
  • Oversees and directs the Diversity Cabinet which provides necessary leadership to build institutional capacity, and develop resources to implement, support, and promote equity and inclusion for our diverse community members and stakeholders.

 
[i] The theological grounding draws on theme from, and is consistent with, Whitworth's "Christ-centered rationale for DEI" published in 2016. Please see www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/dei-statements/christ-centered-rationale.
[ii] John 3:16, Galatians 3:26-28, Acts 10:34-35, Acts 15:1-15. 
[iii] Ephesians 4:11-13, Romans 12:3-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, 
[iv] Revelation 7:9. See also, Revelation 5:6-10 and 21:26-27.
[v] Luke 4:18-19. 
[vi] Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 5:3-12.
[vii] Amos 2:4-7, Luke 1: 46-55, Acts 2:38-47. 
[viii] Matthew 20:25-28, Ephesians 4:1-16.
[ix] Colossians 1:15-20, 2 Corinthians 3:18. 
[x] Micah 6:8-12. 
[xi] 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Matthew 5:23-24. 
[xii] Luke 10:25-37. 
[xiii] Matthew 25:37-40.