The Myth of Inclusion
by Tommy Peeler
The message that our culture likes to promote is that of inclusion. Don’t be fooled. Inclusion, as culturally preached, is a myth. This should be obvious enough; that mask has fallen off and broken into pieces. When someone who promotes inclusion is somehow satisfied with the murder of someone whose views differ, this is proof enough that the version of inclusion being promoted is hollow, for it is founded on a hatred that scorns anything that questions the agenda.
Be realistic, though. No one believes in absolute inclusion. Every person and group has its boundaries and lines that are not to be crossed. Those who do cross it will be excluded explicitly or implicitly, often mocked and ridiculed. This mindset includes the cult of the inclusion culture. Claim to be all about love and inclusion all they want, but when push comes to shove, they will shove hard to keep anyone who differs out of their circle. They won’t love, and they won’t include or accept contrary thoughts. Such inclusion is a myth.
True inclusion is going to be built upon a shared concept of truth, and that is missing in today’s world. People want to know, for example, why Christians won’t accept versions of gender and sexuality that differ from the traditional biblical values, especially when they claim not to be hurting anyone else. Herein lies the problem. We are being hurt because we are being coerced to alter concepts of truth and reality. We are expected to buy into a paradigm shift of what is real, bullied to accept the lies that truth is relative, and our subjective preferences and feelings mold reality. This thinking will filter down into other areas of life. It is a thought process that spirals and condemns us to a life of always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth. It creates minds that are futile in thinking (see Ephesians 4:17-19). We are living in the matrix that denies ultimate truth and makes us slaves of a culture bent on being “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (II Timothy 3:2-4). Yes, it does hurt others. Badly.
Is there a form of inclusion that we should be teaching? Yes.
First, we need to keep the second great commandment before us: Love your neighbor as yourself. This involves treating others as you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). We are to include all people in this practice, resolving to be good, loving neighbors to all, regardless of who they are and where they are from. This doesn’t mean we ignore sin or fail to practice repentance. We are to speak truth in love, with kindness and mercy. Yet, we must speak truth firmly, knowing that no one is exempt from truth.
Second, we are to include everyone in reaching out with the gospel, God’s power to salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16-17). We have a message that is, in fact, inclusive for everyone (Acts 10:34; Gal 3:28). All are welcomed to Christ from all nations and regardless of past sins and experiences (see I Corinthians 6:9-11). Grace is offered to all.
This inclusion has boundaries. Those who reject the One in whom is life and light will not be included in the fellowship and blessings being offered (cf. Acts 13:46). This is not because God’s people don’t want them included. Rather, they exclude themselves, for “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
