I shudder to think that I might have become an institution: seeming alive yet dead, appealing yet not so useful, hampering the very cause for which I was called, stifling the Spirit and the power and dynamicism therein. With my good intentions, I might have stifled the work of The cross.

Great speakers, they were knowledgeable about God and his word, they spoke from their hearts through the Holy Spirit.

God willing we will be able to go next year.

There is obviously a depth to this issue that one blog post can’t touch, but my point was simply to say the argument and discussion should center around such deeper issues rather than whether justice (in any of the spheres) is good or not.

Instead of quibbling about social justice we should be delving deeper into what God would expect or require of us with regard to ourselves, our communities and our nations.

Again, thanks for taking this conversation to a deeper (and I believe, more profitable) level.

Ken

I would suggest you click the links at the bottom of this post (which is obviously a brief treatment of the subject) and watch the message entitled Justice as a Theological Necessity for my full position on where justice stands in relation to theology, scripture, the bible and ultimately or understanding of and relationship with God.

I agree Social Justice pursuits can sometimes become over zealous about the work to the degree that the image of God in our neighbor is missed, the culpability of our own sinfulness and shortcomings get missed and, as David says above, we too narrowly draw our lines of justice around causes and miss much else that is “invisible” to us (the movie “The Help” really showcases this.)

I also think we all have more to learn about justice than we have to teach.

Thanks for your comments,
Ken

1. I see a disconnect between an understanding of the gospel that is at its core about individual/internal/spiritual salvation, and an honest concern for social justice. For example, If your eschatology holds that it’s all going to burn anyway, and we just need to get as many souls to heaven as possible before the end, then social equity, and the physical needs of the marginalized are pushed to the periphery, or just become something that we should *also* be concerned about because God is loving and just, etc. Or worse, social justice work becomes a means toward our *real* goal of individual conversion. I’m not trying to paint you into that box at all, but I see confusion among evangelicals who are trying to synthesize their awakening social consciousness with an inherited American fundamentalist gospel. I would love hear you clarify how social justice fits into your theology systematically.

2. The critique of the new evangelical social justice movement from my camp (progressive, anabaptist, etc.) is that it has a tendency to be concerned about what’s happening *over there* to *those others*. Or how we respond to the plight of the “other” here in America (undocumented immigrants, etc.) There is a reluctance to question or even recognize the political and economic structures at the root of injustice, and our complicity with them, or to put our place of privilege at risk, but that’s exactly what I see Christ calling us to do. To speak truth to power and embrace the radical notion that there really is no “other”, it’s all “us”. This can be very uncomfortable to the Glen Beck crowd, or to christians seeped in a christianity of empire and privilege. Again, I’m not suggesting that this characterizes your position, quite the opposite, I just think that at some point, we need to stop talking about the need for honest conversation about christians’ political response to social justice, and to actually have that conversation; as uncomfortable as it may be.

If you haven’t already, I would strongly recommend you (and any christians interested in social justice) to check out: “The Politics of Jesus” by John Howard Yoder, “A Peacable Kingdom” by Stanley Hauerwas, The Powers trilogy by Walter Wink, and “Binding the Strong Man” by Ched Meyers.

Put me in the group of white middle class males who are cynical of social justice. I have actually on the staff of the Conservative Baptist campus ministry when it was controlled by advocates of social justice. I watched as social justice crowded out the gospel. I have observed the same thing with relatives of mine.

I think you make some good points, but I cannot tell if your position is biblical because you do considerable hand waving and employ phrases that mean different things to different people. Think your audience would benefit from clarification on these issues.

Best regards,

Phillip

When Constantine converted to Christianity… the Christian faith unknowingly took a turn for the worse that is yet to be corrected…To Allow political power into the faith, also opened the door to patriotism, pride and greed into it’s practices….

If these 4 scripts were NEVER compromised…imagine how different history would have been if we…. who want to share the great news that God wants everyone in heaven with you and me….Christians would never have supported the wars for greed and prosperity, then renaming the battles as a Christian’s way of spreading our faith by DOMINATION…..

Feel these scripts….

Jn3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ez33:11 ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live……

Eph6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

Mt10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

The pro war Christian, defecates on these scripts continually….

An awakening is about to happen, where Christians pull away from, and stop voting for their government to dominate, exploit or any injustice shown to ANY people….Such as the native Americans of yesteryear and the current disrespecting of the middle east Muslims and Palestinians…..

Over coming pride is the obstacle …who has the courage or WANT to admit that they’ve been duped by those they follow…. ???? Most peeps rather defend a lie, than be proven wrong….that will not continue for long….have hope….

Peace n LOve, Mike

let me buy you lunch after 3/1….

http://ariseforcongo.com

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The Antioch community has always been faithful and generous and we’ve never gone with out – so I’m trusting God this year will work as well!

Again, thanks for the encouragement to speak directly to the church about the budget and tithing.

God bless,
Ken