Part 202. Love others

For many years I preached to congregations of a very conservative evangelical persuasion. At times it was hard going as the concept of social justice, never mind its praxis, was alien to them.  Discussions with members of the congregations brought forth the opinion that the passage in Matthew 25 concerning division between sheep and goats referred only to disciples of Jesus. Therefore looking after fellow Christians was all that was required, no need to look beyond to non-believers and certainly no need to campaign for social justice and systemic change in society. It was very depressing.

Most of my conservative evangelical friends do not hold such a narrow view and accept that help for all neighbours is the order of the day in accord with the principle set out in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  However loving your neighbour is about alleviating symptoms not tackling causes. Again social justice is a foreign concept.

Over the years I listened to numerous sermons on the Beatitudes. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.  The other meaning of dikaiosune - justice - never got a mention. 

 

So, what is the theological basis for social justice to be perceived as an inherent element of the Christian faith?  I think we may consider this in two ways:

1. Jesus challenged the behaviour and attitude of Pharisees and the interpretations of the Law by the teachers of the Law. Woe to you, you hypocrits. 

2. Jesus we are told stated all the Law and Prophets hang on the two great commandments. Within the Old Testament literature are numerous examples of calls for justice, for social justice, for systemic societal change.

Each of the strands will be considered in greater detail in later posts.