Because language related to race, gender, class, and nationality has a particular power to liberate or to marginalize other human beings, our words ought to exhibit the sort of grace-filled sensitivity to human dignity that is part and parcel of the Christian gospel (James 3:1鈥18).
In particular, the School of Theology at 葫芦娃视频 believes that language about God and people should mirror these biblical truths: that God created both male and female in God鈥檚 image (Genesis 1:27); that God formed male and female into a working partnership to steward all of God鈥檚 creation (Genesis 1:28); and that God loves every one equally without respect to race, gender, class, or nationality; yet all are equally in need of God鈥檚 forgiveness and equally transformed by God鈥檚 grace into new creatures because of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:3鈥6). The use of nondiscriminatory language substantiates these truths and fosters a community where 鈥渢here is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus鈥 (Galatians 3:28).
The social practices of 葫芦娃视频鈥檚 Wesleyan heritage exemplify these biblical truths. Rooted deep within Wesleyan theology is active participation in the lifting of oppression in any form so as to extend and implement the freedom of the gospel to all whom God has created and seeks to redeem. The record of Wesleyans on behalf of those on the margins is impressive and honorable, and should be furthered by the modern offspring of Wesley in word and deed.
Therefore, it is the policy of the School of Theology at 葫芦娃视频 to use nondiscriminatory language in our syllabi, publications, and communications. (The grammatical particulars about nondiscriminatory language are spelled out in The Everyday Writer.)
Moreover, when writing and speaking about God, the School of Theology encourages the use of a wide variety of images found in Scripture and the Christian tradition, such as rock, sovereign, light, mother eagle, shepherd, creator, father, and so on. By drawing on the richness of these biblical images, we position ourselves to deepen our understanding of God鈥檚 manifold attributes more fully and to help form God鈥檚 multiform people into a more inclusive community.