Have you noticed? Social justice is a popular topic for the online church.
I spend a lot of time online reading blogs, surfing social media and listening to the chatter of the connected, Internet church. And it seems a lot of online Christians are into social justice.
Social justice is all over Sojourners. Blogs, blogs, blogs. So many blogs. (I wish I had more of these examples to share, as I’ve read a lot about this subject from various Christian bloggers, but I never bookmarked them.)
Of course there are books. Justice in the Burbs and The Irresistible Revolution, and there are more I’ve never read. And now Simple Compassion by Keri Wyatt Kent (I received a free copy from the publisher.) There is even a Social Justice Reading Challenge.
I’m not against helping people in need; I know what the Bible says. I’m not immune to feeling the pull toward social justice issues. Heck, I even have a social justice category here on this blog.
Still I’m concerned.
Is all of this a fad, the latest trend in our Christian-online clique? Or is this a true, Holy Spirit inspired move of God? In my flesh-and-blood church, I hear little about sex trafficking, clean water, or poverty, all popular issues within the online church. That strikes me as odd.
Christians, we mustn’t forget it’s a grace salvation, not a works salvation. Give to the poor, support organizations like Compassion International, commit to helping those in need. These issues of social justice are important, and must not be ignored, but let’s not forget the command by Jesus in Matthew 28.
. . . go and make disciples of all nations.
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Good points.
I think, in churches everywhere, we wonder about the authenticity of some missions/outreaches sometimes. Authenticity versus ‘should we do it’, I think are two different topics completely.
If you’ll recall, Jesus fed and cared for people everywhere he went. We cannot preach the Word to folks who are starving/suffering without meeting… See More the emergency needs first. We are commanded to love one another, to care for widows, children, the poor, all others even. Meeting those needs IS bringing Christ to folks.
~
Twitter: CBerbs
I find myself more and more interested in social justice as a part of my Christian faith. The stronger my faith becomes the less I am able to ignore the affects my choices have on others. Because of this, I find myself considering “social justice causes” more and more often. If I am doing nothing to love my neighbor, I think my words right pretty hollow.
My other thought on this is that it is a lot harder to discuss some of the less attractive elements of social justice (sexual trafficking) when you are standing in front of a group of people which includes 5 year olds and knowing you’re going to hear about it than it is to let your self-selecting audience read the statistics of what is happening and allowing them to seek out the information. I don’t necessarily think that’s right, but I think it happens.
I think this is a movement of the Holy Spirit, not just a fad. Here’s why–the publishing process from “idea” stage to printed book takes almost two years in most cases. And in my case, I start thinking and researching a topic for another year or two before I feel ready to write about it. And authors don’t call each other and say, “Hey, I’m writing about social justice! why don’t you write one too?”
Also, if you don’t hear about social justice issues in your church, that doesn’t mean this is a fad, it means your church isn’t talking about these issues. I hear about these issues in church all the time. My church is raising money for clean water in Africa, feeding the hungry both here and abroad, and has several staff members focused fully on compassion and justice. We’ve operated a food pantry for at least 20 years, and are part of a group of churches that cooperate to provide shelter for the homeless in our building one night a week. We’ve been doing that for years. So it depends on the church.
Also, to “make disciples” is not to merely convince someone of intellectual facts. When Jesus made his own disciples as he walked this earth, he invited them to live as he lived–meeting both physical and spiritual needs.
I’d love to hear what you think of my book once you have a chance to look it over. It’s really meant to be read slowly (one chapter a week) and I hope that’s what you’ll try.
Keri Wyatt Kent´s last blog ..Take the challenge, win a book
Twitter: monicabrand
Hi, Keri. I was hoping you would find me and comment.
I grew up in the church, worked in a bookstore filled with Bibles, inspirational fiction, how-to’s on living a better, more intentional Christian life, so to suddenly have all these books published, among all the attention online, has my attention. I think I’m naturally a skeptical person. I don’t like that aspect of my personality, yet there it is. I want to be wrong about social justice “issues” being the latest thing to do only to loose steam when it’s no longer new or exciting. And I sure don’t want people thinking they can join a cause because their good works can gain them the Lord’s favor. It’s not my intention to dismiss your book or any other book pointing to social justice. I do like your book, it’s the most unique of all the social justice books in the lot, as far as I can tell.
I found a book at the library last week – a nonfiction children’s book on social justice. I started thinking the same things you are about the “fad-ness” of the term. I haven’t gotten to read it yet, but I think it is interesting that the term (and the movement) has gotten big enough to slip into the children’s market.
Jaymie´s last blog ..FRIDAY: Stuck on Murder
Twitter: monicabrand
Interesting, Jaymie, thanks for the heads up.
Interesting post. My hope is that the involvement in social justice is true and not just trendy. I wonder if the church is tired of being consumerist (going to church for what they get out of it) and instead becoming missional?
Amy Nichols´s last blog ..Twelve Posts on Writing, Day 12: Always new, always learning
Social Justice has always been a way of life and a better way to keep people in check.
Twitter: monicabrand
Missional – that’s another term for evangelical, isn’t it? I’ve seen that term tossed around, again by the online church, and I’m wondering it’s exact meaning.
Amy?