The Intent of Intercultural Unity in the Body of Christ

By definition, unity itself has no meaning apart from diversity. Likewise, biblical oneness has no meaning without visibility. How are all people to know that we are his disciples if they do not see us in loving relationship? (John 13) We are one in Christ, but it has no visible meaning apart from real, diverse relationship. The foundation of discipleship involves incorporating—living out—the life and example of Christ which began with kenotic incarnation, emptying oneself to become that which is ‘other’. This is the expected path of kingdom discipleship for all Christian believers everywhere. Engaging, accepting, embracing and loving other peoples and cultures is a mark of Christian maturity. Ethnic exclusiveness works cross current to biblical oneness. While there is necessarily a time and place for ethnic-specific mission and fellowship we must never forget that such situations are a waypoint on the kingdom journey, not a destination.

Mono-cultural assumptions, attitudes and actions hinder intercultural unity in the kingdom of God. Insisting upon ethnic exclusiveness without an evolutionary expectation toward intercultural unity reflects an incomplete conception of kingdom outcomes. Intercultural unity is not an option; it is the high calling of Christ and a testimony of his identity (John 17).