Justice Is as Justice Does?

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A Conversation between Friends

Josh: Ok, Jeff, I hear you talk a lot about social justice, but what do you actually mean when you say that? It sounds really grand and, to be honest, maybe a bit self-important. But I’m unclear as to what this concept entails; it seems kind of vague.

Jeff: Yeah, it can be vague. Many who use the phrase don’t tend to define it. Instead, some will mention a list of issues – like racism, gender discrimination, classism, etc. But that’s not a definition. Still, any definition should be broad, if not vague. Therefore, Christopher Wright has written about mishpat (“justice”) in the “broadest terms” as actions undertaken to set things write – like they will be in heaven.

Josh: All right, but how is that any different from love? When I think of interpersonal relationships, shouldn’t love be what is primary? What is so significant about justice?

Jeff: In Luke 11:42, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting “the justice and the love of God.” The two are certainly related, but not identical. It seems that justice places certain demands on us pertaining to others in our society. But if I’ve heard you correctly, Josh, your question makes it sound like you think of justice merely as a subcategory of love.

Josh: Yeah, I guess that is where I was coming from. But I see your point – both love and justice do have social implications. I do care about these values; and I am sincere when I pray for God's kingdom – with all of the justice and love that it brings – to come on earth. But I guess I’m wondering what that looks like for me here and now. What am I supposed to be doing? I can’t save the world, and it irritates me when people like Bono preach at me as if I am to blame for the world’s problems because I’m not doing enough.

Jeff: Ugh, I hear you. Vocal, Bono-quoting Christians who wear their commitment to end poverty on their sleeve are often dismissed as “liberals,” or “guilt-trippers.” I should be more careful. But my instinct is that here at Trinity, we should, at least, be preparing ourselves to engage a world fraught with injustice. Let me ask you this: do you think that when you graduate you’ll be ready to lead your church – whether you’re in the suburbs or the city – to address urban poverty?

Josh: Not really. Back in undergrad when I was living in Knoxville, I used to talk with homeless people quite often in a given week; but it seems like since I’ve moved to the suburbs, I’ve forgotten how to interact with poor people, let alone lead a congregation to minister to them. I know that God has a heart for the poor, and I care too; but there’s only so much time, and my main priority must be preaching the gospel and addressing spiritual poverty.

Jeff: I’m certainly not asking you to “neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” What I am seeking is that we become ready to comfort the Chicago mothers who lost their children in the drive-by shootings this summer. How is “Christ died for sinners,” Good News to them? Frankly, one of my annoyances is the way that people forget that sin isn’t just a private matter between “me and God”; it affects every part of society. So, how could the complicated injustices be solved simply by preaching good theology?

Josh: Point taken. Evangelism and practical deeds of compassion and justice are linked; and I haven’t forgotten James’ warning about a dead faith that says, “Keep warm and well fed,” and then does nothing about someone’s physical needs. But my concern comes from looking at church history. I remember with sadness how the social gospel replaced the message of the cross and how acts of justice and mercy supplanted an emphasis on saving faith. Even today, I have noticed how my friends can get really excited about “being agents of social justice” and then lose their passion for Christ and him crucified.

Jeff: I’ve got friends who’ve gone that way, too. I’ll be up front. I don’t have a good answer. But John Stott’s quote haunts me: “Evangelical Christians during this century have tended to be in the rearguard, instead of in the vanguard, of social reformers.” That’s us. And I think we need to talk about these things.

by Joshua Beckett and Jeff Liou (featured in 2008 Graduate Scrawl)