Social Justice
Mar 23, 2010 Print This Post
Last week I did a little radio interview on the topic of Social Justice, which is a term getting a lot of play these days thanks to Glenn Beck and a few comments he had on the subject recently.
Here’s what I shared on that interview, in a nutshell.
A Historical Perspective
The term “Social Justice” has been around for a long time. In fact, it was part of the Federalist Papers drafted by Alexander Hamilton. In this particular instance, Hamilton was concerned about the “atrocious breaches of moral obligation and social justice” that might turn one state against another.
In the 1800′s, the term was used to fight for the abolition of slavery.
In the early 1900′s the term began to take on a different meaning, attached to a “social Gospel” that relegated our need for salvation to secondary importance behind taking care of the poor.
Over time, some communist nations suggested that Social Justice could only come about with the elimination of private property and the nationalization of industry.
These days, when younger people talk about Social Justice, they often talk about not just caring for the poor and needy, but helping the oppressed (think forced labor and sex slavery) as well as responding to systemic racism and other societal ills.
Why did I give the big history lesson? To show that words have meanings and those meanings change depending on lips that utter them and the time and place in history.
A Biblical Perspective
Tim Keller, who pastors a church in New York City talks about how the Bible treats the words “justice” and “mercy” and how modern people of different political persuasions react differently to them.
In the Bible, these terms are often used in a nearly interchangeable way. All of God’s people (both in the Old Testament and the New Testament) are called to be most merciful and just. God is described as both merciful and just. They seem to be two-sides of the same coin.
People who are politically liberal tend to cringe when the word “mercy” is used. They think it’s paternalistic and patronizing to those in need.
People who are politically conservative tend to cringe when the world “justice” is used. They think it implies an obligation for them to care for the poor when they should pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
The Bible is much more nuanced and complex in its treatment of Justice and Mercy. We are called to do both.
In fact, the word “do” is significant.
When God’s people asked him what he wanted from them in the book of Micah, he responded:
“To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Jesus said the same thing, when he criticized the religious elite for
“Ignoring the important parts of the law: justice, mercy, and faith.” (Matthew 23:23)
All throughout the Bible, God’s people have been able to point to their socially just actions as evidence that they follow him. Our “love for our neighbor” is a barometer of our love for God.
A Political Perspective
The radio host asked me what I thought government’s role was in all of this. I told him I didn’t know. However, I do know one thing: if Christians and the Church would get off of our butts and take care of the poor in our country the way God has called us to, the government wouldn’t have to.
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