A big debate continues to brew - and boil over? - as a result of Fox News commentator Glenn Beck's recent call for Americans to boycott churches that use the terms "social justice" and "social economics" because they are, he claimed, just code words for communism and socialism.
The National Post reports that many in the Catholic Church feel Beck's rant is directed squarely at them. On the evangelical side, leaders seem to be divided. CNN.com reports that Jerry Falwell, Jr. supports the claims but that others are responding with a call to boycott Beck himself.
What's a church-goer to do? Especially in a large metropolitan area such as Los Angeles where just an hour or so drive west on Wilshire Blvd. - from the downtown area, through the Miracle Mile, through Beverly Hills, all the way to the beach - shows the stark social and economic contrasts among the people.
The most obvious answer to that question is, do what Jesus did. Jesus certainly taught "social justice" and "social economics" in the sense of doing unto others as each would do unto him- or herself, and giving to the poor.
But Jesus also taught balance on the basics. That's what Christians should exercise when deciding what church to go to or leave. The Bible reveals that Jesus and the early Christian leaders put more weight on weightier things - more weight on Faith than on society, on everlasting life than life here and now.
So when deciding when to join, stay or leave a church, how that church addresses social and economic justice is important, but more important is what it is teaching about the basics of the Christian Faith and about the life to come, which lasts so much longer.
The next article will look specifically at the Basics of the Christian Faith - what they are and what they mean. To preview:
- The Deity of Jesus Christ
- The Trinity
- The Vicarious Atonement
- Jesus' Bodily Resurrection
- Salvation by Grace
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Comments
Glenn Beck is an idiot and a scumbag
Awesome article..
But, alas, he still has a platform. I'm just trying to figure out how to put the focus where it belongs. You with me?
Re: Beck's comments of the Catholic priest who in the 30's berated Roosevelt and promoted Hitler over Social Justice, and the backlash that has ensued for his comment of "leaving" any church that advances the theory (code word) of Social Justice; I answer as follows: Obama quit his church and joined another because the pastor hated America and wanted more Social Justice then even Obama could take.
So what should be the true litmus test for a church? The political pundits? The president? Church leaders? Fellow church-goers? The Bible?
despite beck's nonsense, churches still get to define 'social justice' according to their own doctrines, and carry out charity programs without interference from radio demagogues.
and fortunately, freedom of religion means that we can still choose to belong to churches that don't meet beck's approval.
Morons. Please read more than the NYTimes. MSNBC is fraudulent. Please be independent thinkers. Not liberal quacks.
@heartlandboy, excellent points. But what happens when different churches define doctrines differently while all still claiming they're getting it from the Bible? As Dave points out, we ALL need to be independent thinkers, but there's gotta be balance. Too many people let the pundits, the pastors and popular opinion do their thinking for them; but then what to keep any of us in check? I say it's the Bible.
It's completely legitimate to ask, at what point do you call one person's interpretation of a 'sacred text' (i.e. Christian Bible, Jewish Talmud, Muslim Koran, etc.) wrong. These texts were all snapshots of what people, yes people, just like you and me, thought at the time was important to write down. Nothing more, nothing less. And people today can, and very much do, interpret these texts in a multitude of ways. To ask yourself what Jesus would do in this situation I believe is cutting yourself quite short in terms of being able to socially act justfully. Jesus, if Jesus really is the Jesus that is portrayed in the Gospels and Paul’s letters, really wasn’t all too concerned about trying to make this world that we live in a great place. He was focused on an after-life life, told his disciples to ditch their families and lose all their possessions, and he preached that he didn’t come to bring peace to the world, but a sword. What really matters is what YOU think...
...continued...is what YOU think about what should be done. Looking to some text that was written centuries ago to find out what you should do with your life now is in my humble opinion a monumental waste of time. Getting about to helping bring about change in your local community is much more of a valuable activity; helping that tough neighborhood become a place people want to stop at instead of drive through. It’s really just that simple. Blowhards like Beck just spew nonsense and non sequiturs to get ratings for their shows. Nothing more, nothing less. TRC therecoveringchristian.wordpress.com
I did not hear Beck's comments, only what the media has reported. I would tend to agree to the extent that there are some churches that seem to become unbalanced in this area. I have left two churches precisely because more emphasis was placed on preaching "social justice" than on preaching the gospel itself. As a Christian, it seems obvious to me that if the preaching leads to a deepening in one's relationship to Christ himself, then one will naturally love and care for others. However, if "social justice" becomes the message from the pulpit, then you have works that can be devoid of any relationship to, or guidance by, the Holy Spirit.
In scripture Jesus said that if we love Him, we will do the things that he told us to do, which includes social justice. If the church focuses on helping it's members develop a deeper love of Christ, social justice will be a natural outcome. As we are filled with the love of God it overflows into our families and our communities.
@laurel, agreed. ultimately it's between you, your bible, and possibly a good & knowledgeable pastor/priest. such decisions are too important to trust to rantings from rodeo clowns whose theological understanding comes from the back of a cereal box.
It takes a very wise person to conclude with such certainty that the Bible is the word of mere men like you and me (figuratively speaking) and not inspired. I'll go with inspired, since it's not a book but a collection of 66 books written over a 500 year period (or thereabouts) by more than 44 authors from several different countries. The continuity is a miracle in itself and points to one congruent theme: a world in need of a Savior, and His name is Jesus. Yes, faith is involved, but not by itself. Point being, I'll take what's written about God and the Messiah in the Bible as much more authentic and reliable for my life centuries after it was written, than put my life and eternity in the hands of mere men (and women) such as myself. By so choosing, I AM thinking for myself. If I'm wrong, what have I lost, really? But if the Bible truly is God-breathed, and if it truly is profitable for all the things 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 (in fact, read the whole context into Chapter 4!) says it's...
...says its profitable for, then Hallellujah! I ain't so naive and gullible!
66 books? that's fine, unless you happen to be a mormon like beck. or your bible includes other books that were banned/burned by various human religious/political leaders over time.
then there is the matter of creeds that are not defined in the inspired gospels, but were formulated at councils of men in AD 325 and AD 500...
I mean, since we're speaking of independent thought. ;-)
I think this man is a real Jerk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The comment that Laurel spoke on March 14th at 9:19..says it all.. Im right with that.....
For the record, I am not a Mormon but a Christian. What makes me the latter and not the former? Aye, there's the rub! Please subscribe to my Examiner articles, as the next couple of few will address the Basics of the Christian Faith (Lord willing and the creek don't rise, as they say in the south)!
Jesus did not merely teach the concept of social justice; he lived it, demonstrated it and admonished others to do the same. Over and over, the Bible makes this point clear.
And honestly, I find it disheartening to see such an effort within the media--chiefly the American politically conservative media--to minimize the importance of said concepts. And for what? To legitimize certain socio-economic and political views within the conservative evangelical corner of Christendom in the hopes that those views will, somehow, define what a proper Christian is? Have we not politicized the gospel enough?
I mean, Jesus did not tell the rich man to sell all of his stuff to the poor so he could turn a profit. And could you imagine if Luke 14:13 read like this?:
"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, then charge them at the door and you will be blessed."
I need to write about this. Just another attack in the culture war, I feel.
Social and economic justice according to Jesus' model--that's the point. Thanks, T. Michael for stating that plainly.
Jesus' overarching model for us to follow is living this life with the kingdom of God in mind. Balance. Live morally, be socially conscientious, be economically responsible, be sober-minded and do everything as unto the Lord to whom we will give an account, knowing that the life to come lasts longer than this life. All the social justice in the world will never trump God's ultimate justice upon all of us. "Lord, didn't I do this and that and the other thing in Your name?" To some He will say, "I never knew you. Depart from Me...!"
GREETINGS AND FAITHFUL SAYINGS:
Greetings to one and all: In that most precious name. That name which is above every name, the name: "Jesus" ____There's tremendous power in that name. I'd suppose we'll never fully realize all that can truly be accomplished, by us simply calling out that name in true faith.____There's an old, old, gospel song that goes like this: Faith in the Father, faith in the Son, faith in the Holy Spirit, great victories are won. Demons will tremble and sinners will awake, faith in Jehovah will anything shake.____For you who have never come into this realization, if you're reading this, just give him a welcome into your heart and life. You will both feel and see an awesome difference. You will have also purchased the ticket to heaven (by accepting, therefore making him welcome to come into your life. You will also sup from His cup that contains living water. (As did the woman at the well of Bethesda.) John 4:10____Much love, ____Your brother in Christ Jesus, who
This article is pretty well written. I look forward to seeing your other articles on the basics of Christian Faith. After all our faith is only as good as the object upon which it is placed. I think it is sad that so many Christians are trying to justify the teachings of faith from Glenn Beck as if the god of Mormonism is no different than the God of the Bible. I have started a blog on this showing the differences between the two religions. http://glennbeckfaith.info is the site. I will link my site to here so my readers can also see what you have to say on this topic.
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