The diversity of mankind is a feature of God’s creation, not a flaw. Though our differences have been and continue to be the occasion of division, discord, and the devaluing of life, God did not design the world this way. God created differences to reflect and highlight his brilliance and glory.

Some time ago, I was talking with my wife and kids at the dinner table. I don’t recall what we were talking about, but I mentioned in passing how our Chinese American heritage shapes some of our perspectives. As I kept talking, one of my children interrupted, “I’m Chinese?” It hadn’t dawned on him that we had an ethnicity. It hadn’t dawned on us that we should inform him of this. What seemed so normal to us was a surprise to him. From his vantage point, people are just people.

For some of us, our ethnicity is a daily part of our lives. It’s something we encounter regularly and are reminded of by others. It’s the feeling of being perpetually different. For others, we hardly ever think of our ethnicity. Wherever you might be on that spectrum, few of us have spent much time pondering our ethnicity as a precious and integral part of God’s design and purpose. How should we think about this unique aspect of our humanity?

All from One Man

The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that God made all mankind in his image (Genesis 1:27). From the tribal peoples of Papua New Guinea, to the urbanites of London, to the nomads of Mongolia, all mankind shares the same image and the same human story. Despite differences in language, height, skin color, hair color, facial features, and culture, we all reflect and display God’s creative design.

When one looks at the painting Starry Night, discerning art lovers don’t critique Van Gogh’s apparently indiscriminate use of paint and his stylized moon in hues of yellows, whites, and blues. Instead, they allow this mix of colors and strokes to transport them to the calm and peace of that brilliant night sky. Similarly, our world’s diversity, and in particular mankind’s diversity, takes us into a world that reflects the brilliance, genius, and imagination of the Creator.

Imagine a world with only a dozen species of animals. No porcupines, peacocks, or pangolins. What a dull and lifeless land. It would be like living in a world painted in gray. With just a short drive to the local zoo, we can behold dozens of species of animals that display the multifaceted magnificence of the Great Designer. In the world God made, we get to enjoy a multiplicity of flora, fauna, and especially our fellow image-bearers across the globe.

Feature, Not Flaw

Our differences — both real and imagined — have been the subject of many wars, hostilities, animosities, and even genocides. The horror of ethnic cleansing is almost too much to imagine. Sin distorts differences to divide, so that we deal heartlessly with one another. Scan the pages of history and see war after war, conflict after conflict, built upon fear and hatred of the other.

But when the Bible speaks of the diversity of peoples, it describes our differences not as a curse, but as a blessing. Abraham is promised great blessing so that through him all the families of the earth would likewise experience blessing (Genesis 12:2–3). In Psalm 67, the author calls on God to be gracious to Israel, to shine his face upon them, and to bless them. For what reason? So that all the nations of the earth would know, fear, and praise God (Psalm 67:1–2).

The diversity of mankind is a feature of God’s creation, not a flaw. Though our differences have been and continue to be the occasion of division, discord, and the devaluing of life, God did not design the world this way. God created differences to reflect and highlight his brilliance and glory. Receiving global accolades beats out being a local celebrity. When all the nations of the world unite together in praise of God, it says something profound about his character, goodness, and love.

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