Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how aspects of one’s social and political identities (such as race, class, gender, sexuality, disability status, etc.) might combine to create unique modes of discrimination. The concept was first introduced by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 as a way to describe the experiences of black women, who face overlapping racism and sexism.
Since then, intersectionality has become a popular concept in many academic disciplines and advocacy movements. It aims to capture the complexity of human identity and highlight interconnections between different forms of marginalization or advantage. Intersectional thinking rejects simplistic narratives about privilege and oppression as it pertains to any one category such as race or gender. Instead, it maps how these categories interact in multilayered ways that shape one’s place in society.
When examining intersectionality from a biblical perspective, there are a few key points to consider:
1. The Bible affirms human diversity and uniqueness
The scriptures make clear that human beings are created with differences by a God who cares for each individual. Passages like Psalm 139 and Acts 17:26 speak to the way God fashioned human life in all its variety. So while the Bible does not use the terminology of modern identity categories, it does presume an understanding of diversity within the human family. This diversity is part of God’s design.
Biblical examples that demonstrate regard for uniqueness include Deborah’s leadership as a woman judge (Judges 4), Ethiopian eunuch’s inclusion by Philip (Acts 8), treatment of foreigners like Ruth, and value placed on people regardless of disabilities or disease like the hemorrhaging woman healed by Jesus (Mark 5:25-34).
2. Sin corrupts human diversity into unjust hierarchies
While difference itself is not negative, Scripture teaches sin has twisted diversity into unjust systems of categorical advantage and oppression. Fallen human habits like greed, pride and fear cater to “favoritism” (James 2:1-13) that seeks to elevate some people over others based on superficial traits.
So while intersectional identities are neutral, sin uses these neutral aspects of selfhood as vehicles for hierarchies. The existence of unjust social hierarchies is evident across biblical narratives. From Old Testament prophets railing against oppression of the poor by the rich and powerful, to Jesus confronting dynamics that dehumanized women, Samaritans, Gentiles and the sick, the Bible presents a complex social world impacted by sin.
3. Followers of Christ must pursue justice and embrace all imagers of God
The church is called to follow Jesus’ example of crossing human boundaries and hierarchies to affirm shared dignity as imagers of God. Christians are to practice a radical inclusivity that dismantles superficial categorizations, as part of loving others as ourselves. As Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Pursuing intersectional justice is an important part of obedience and discipleship. Christians should be wary of any “Christ against culture” posture that excuses injustice or dehumanization present within social systems. Believers must stand against partiality and harmful categorizations, just as the early church wrestled with welcoming Gentiles as equals in God’s family.
4. Intersectionality highlights complexity, not just grouping identities
One important clarification is that intersectionality is more complex than just listing multiple identities one has. The term was coined specifically to highlight interconnections between different social locations that impact experience in nuanced ways. No one is just the mechanical sum of separate identity points.
This aligns with the biblical truth that human beings are holistic, not compartmentalized. While categories can be analytically useful, truly understanding another person requires grasping their whole context shaped by many factors in relationship. Christians should avoid reducing others to ticked boxes, while still caring to understand how social forces uniquely impact lives.
5. Critiquing privilege should come alongside responsibility
Intersectionality tends to focus heavily on deconstructing privilege and problematic social norms. But a biblical perspective also emphasizes each person’s moral responsibility before God. Human agency and sin mean people make choices either to perpetuate evil or embody love, regardless of their relative place in society.
So for Christians, critiques of privilege or marginalization must always be paired with calls to action based on the moral responsibility of each individual before God. Believers are accountable to steward their resources, opportunities, and influence justly and compassionately, in light of the gospel.
6. Avoid “oppression Olympics” and value shared humanity
Because intersectionality arose from observing multifaceted marginalization, some critiques are that it encourages unproductive conflict between identity groups over who is most oppressed. This tendency towards “oppression Olympics” loses sight of shared struggles and universal experiences that bind humanity together.
Christians should avoid feeding such division. While honoring the unique challenges faced by different people, followers of Jesus ultimately locate human worth in the shared dignity of being made in God’s image. Unity amidst diversity is possible through Christ.
7. Intersectionality can aid cultural intelligence for ministry
Thinking intersectionally can help Christians gain greater cultural intelligence to serve diverse neighbors with humility and wisdom. Recognizing culture shapes experiences provides insight for effective ministry. Racial reconciliation efforts, for example, are enriched by considering intersectionality.
At the same time, believers should avoid hype about novel theories at the expense of biblical principles. Ideas like intersectionality can shed light, but Scripture remains the ultimate authority for navigating justice, diversity and human relationships.
8. Class considered more prominently in Scripture than today
One modern identity category largely missing from intersectional analyses is socioeconomic class. Yet biblical texts regularly address dynamics between wealthy elites and poor, enslaved, or working classes. Unlike American culture, Scripture gives significant attention to matters of class.
This serves as a helpful corrective to Christians. While still denouncing partiality based on race or gender, believers must also confront sins of classism or indifference to poverty. The gospel mandate to care for the marginalized compels the church to wrestle with economic stratification.
9. Critical theory alongside other analytical tools
When examining complex social dynamics, Christians should draw on biblical ethics, political philosophy, history, sociology, cultural analysis, and various other conceptual tools. Critical theory paradigms like intersectionality can provide helpful lenses, but ought to be weighed and tested against other perspectives.
No one framework can perfectly capture all aspects of reality. Christians honor God and pursue truth by holding any theory with humility and allowing it to be refined by other disciplines. Diverse analytical tools can enrich understanding when employed critically.
10. Identity rooted in Christ more than social locations
While human diversity and social forces are realities, a biblical view of intersectionality remembers that the deepest identity of Christians is found in relationship to God through Christ. Becoming a new creation relativizes other temporal roles, abilities, or group affiliations.
This liberates believers from obsession over human distinctions. Christians can embrace the fullness of who God made them to be, while resting secure in worth given by grace, not performance or position in society. In Christ, identity gains eternal significance that transcends all earthly labels.