“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand”

Over the past year, both the federal and state governments have been busy trying to regulate DEI in educational settings. This is an important and contentious issue, so of course we’re continually and carefully reviewing how these developments may impact Dordt University, if at all. In actuality, we don’t use the term “DEI” as many or most in American higher education do—and in fact, we don’t find the term “DEI” helpful any longer, as it has become a divisive rather than a unifying concept.

So here’s how we see things at Dordt: As to multicultural leadership, we have a board-approved statement, which affirms that every person is created in the image of God. This stance calls us to make our campus as welcoming as we can for persons from every nation, tribe, people, and language—as we prepare ourselves to praise God someday around the throne as His gathered people, as described in Revelation 7:9-10.

With regard to another issue often associated with “DEI,” namely gender and sexuality, Dordt also has a clear stance, which we ground in creational order and Biblical revelation. Simply put, we are created by God as either male or female—and in all matters relating to gender and sexuality, we are to live in accordance with God’s creational design and guidance for us in Scripture.

On both issues—race/ethnicity and gender/sexuality—the pervasiveness of sin has brought about tremendous brokenness and significant hurt throughout human history. This is truly where Dordt’s distinctiveness as a Christian university shows up on these issues. We live under the truth that only Jesus Christ can conquer the power of sin. Thus, Dordt seeks to educate and disciple our students in ways that help them personally flee from sin and collectively work for Christ-centered renewal in the world today—always in accordance with these principles. At present, we don’t see anything in federal or state conversations that would deter us from continuing our work on these issues under that religious basis.

At Dordt, we walk alongside students who struggle with the effects of sin—after all, the presence of sin is, sadly, part of what it means for all of us to be human, myself included. The recognition of sin helps us recognize the brokenness of the world and our own deep need for redemption. But trying to bring about true peace—shalom—without Jesus, is never going to work. Only through Christ can we experience the renewal and hope we so desperately need.

As our institution navigates these discussions, we stand firm in our faith, knowing that our ultimate hope is not in human institutions or ideologies, but in Christ alone. As the hymn reminds us:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.