I am not a regular listener of the Glenn Beck program (radio or television); however, over the past several weeks I have been intrigued with the attention Jim Wallis of Sojourners’ has been giving Mr. Beck. Even the Washington Post’s “On Faith” gave several syndicated columnists an opportunity to comment on the tête-à-tête between Beck and Wallis. Apparently Mr. Beck told his listeners “that if they were in a church that preaches Jeremiah Wright-style social justice, they should leave--or at least get educated on what exactly that means”. Since Sojourners’ mission is "to articulate the biblical call to social justice," Mr. Wallis stated to his followers, “Whether you're a church leader, a church member, or a church seeker, if you're a Christian who believes in the biblical call to social justice (italics mine)” send Mr. Beck an email supporting our cause.
I am troubled with the term social justice, but even more so when the term is modified by ‘biblical call’. I have asked myself just what is social justice? Is it wealth redistribution, a modern day Robin Hood who steals from the rich to give to the poor or is it public housing for all. Perhaps it could be caring for nature and environmentalism? If it is any of those or possibly a plethora of others, is there a biblical call for Christians to practice it and is it a worthy mission for the church?
To help us gain a better understanding of Biblical Worldview as it relates to social justice, this week we welcome Dr. Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-Chief of World Magazine, and Provost of The King’s College in New York City and a Fellow of the Wilberforce Forum to the broadcast this Monday. This week’s Forum will examine and ask the question “Is there a biblical call for Social Justice?” We will be joined in the second half of the hour by members of our Clapham Sect to further weigh in on the topic. What is the implication of social justice for the church, for our lives as believers and for today’s culture?
Click on the image above to listen to our show live at 8pm Eastern on Monday April 26th!
