Diversity
“…the diversity of the Bible is a strength. It reflects God’s love for diversity. One language is not superior, one people are not superior, one mode of writing is not superior. Rather, God intends for humans to learn from history books, from law, from poetry, from proverbs, from apocalyptic literature, and more. He can teach through a fisherman like Peter, through a theologian like Paul, through a statesman like Moses, through a queen like Esther, and through his own incarnation. There is beauty and power in diversity, and the Bible reflects that.” (Nabeel Qureshi)
“While the Church is one in essence, it is diverse in gifts and function. Unity does not mean uniformity. Each member is unique before God, with gifts and roles granted by Him…Why is there a diversity of persons and giftings in the Church? For unity of service (Ephesians 4:12, 13), for the preservation of truth (v. 14), and for the operation of love (vv. 15, 16), the primary quality of Christian growth.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Ephesians 4:7-16, 11-16)
“Diversity is woven into the fabric of creation.” (Hugh Welchel)
‘If we look around and see all of the variety of plants, animals and people, it seems clear that God must delight in variety …We are all the same in essence but unique in our persons. We too should live in unity made up of our diversity and in a loving state where we care for one another in the spirit of community.” (Sacramental Living)
"The reconciliation role of Christianity can only be initiated and sustained by and through the voice and ear of genuine tolerance. The virtues of tolerance, together with its twin virtue of diversity, reflect the divine attributes of love which God maintains in His essence perfectly, infinitely, indescribably, and inexhaustibly." (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew)