The Christian event and celebration of Pentecost has long been seen as a reversal of the story of the “Tower of Babel” as told in Genesis 11:1-9 where God “confuses” the languages of the people trying to build a tower into the heavens.
This morning, I was re-reading a book by Delwin Brown where he interprets this story:
[T]he story is theologically profound. It does not say that God separated the people into different linguistic groups as a punishment – not at all. The diversity imposed on the human race was a safeguard, a protection against the illusion that we are or can become like God. God intervened when uniformity became excessive. 1
As I thought about this in relation to Pentecost, I realized that Pentecost (as read in Acts 2:1-18) is not a reversal of Babel, though it does change the rules of the game. The story of Babel was about doing away with uniformity while promoting diversity. Pentecost, however, does not do away with diversity; rather, those seeking to share the good news of hope reach out to people different than themselves, meeting them where they were to share the news. The human response to diversity was to build walls of separation, saying in effect, “You’ve got to learn to speak my language if you want to communicate with me or if you want what I’ve got to give.” Pentecost said, “Okay, I’ll speak your language. You don’t have to speak my language for us to communicate – for me to share this message, for me to give you what I have.”
In Pentecost, diversity is not abolished. It is not seen as a dividing wall. Whereas in Babel, diversity is forced, in Pentecost, uniformity is not forced. Diversity is accepted, and those following the guiding of the Holy Spirit become more diverse to share the love of God.
In so many of our churches (and in life in general), we want harmony. We want everyone to get along, and we assume the means by which that is to happen is to have uniformity – for all to be in unison. But let’s think about a musical ensemble. Would the Eagles have been as popular had they always sung in unison? Wasn’t a large part of their appeal the beautiful, yet diverse, harmonies that they created?
Anyone who has tried to sing in harmony with others knows it is not easy (nor are relationships with diverse people – just ask the Eagles). Yet, the results are beautiful. Having a diverse meal of language, thoughts, ideas, and theology, I believe, makes us more beautiful people – as individuals and as communities.
- Why do you think we are often afraid of diversity – especially within our faith communities?
- What do you think about the idea that the Holy Spirit leads people to become more diverse to reach out to more people?
- How might the Spirit be guiding you to be more diverse?
- What kind of difference would be made in your faith community if it were more willing to speak the language of those outside that community?
- Do you think it would help the growth of your community – in number, in love, and in knowledge? Why or why not?
1. Delwin Brown, What Does a Progressive Christian Believe? A Guide for the Searching, the Open, and the Curious
