Through my readings and learnings, experiences and relationships, i have been pondering with social justice. I know people who swing towards both poles in this situation which causes me to engage myself outside of this question and ask, "Is social justice only political?" It seems that if you haven't jumped on board as of late on the social justice train than you are un-christian and inhumane. As I wrestle with these problems It seems that once again a biblical topic has become more about what is socially acceptable or what is 'fad' than the entire principle that is to be derived out of the sermon on the mount.
Jesus came to free the poor from oppression, to give hope to those who society has deemed 'sinful,' 'unclean,' 'non-religious,' for that matter a midst the displeasure that religion connotates. The truth is that Jesus came for the SINNER, to lift oppression. Logically, to lift oppression would 9 times out of 10 point to the poor, the culturally downcast. To add perspective, culturally poor is a very interpretive term because technically I'm under the poverty line in the US and in worldy perspective am very rich. Politically, I'm poor! The gospel is solely for me and people like me, whom society will not let into the tables of power because of my financial status. OR, is social justice also playing to poor in all facets of life: emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially?
The point, not conclusion (for I will always be working through this), is that Christ clearly condoned the poor, giving us the responsibility to take care of them and help them on the path to redemption and rejuvination. BUT, Christ ultimately came for the sinners. Jesus also hung out with rich people whom nobody liked in society. I make the connection of the tax collectors with rich successful people, or at least people that do not terry with the status of 'poor' as people who very much need redemption. Because more often than not, they are poor in some aspect of their lives, something has been sacrificed to get them to their social status. Therefore, the church of the 'burbs' then is full of the poor amidst the rich or at least not poor middle to upper class folks that desperately need Christ's redemption. Social justice then is being responsible with the poor - poor as in all facets of the word. My thoughts thus far....
Admire the stunning permed mullet brilliantly compared with the mustache. When was a last time you saw a hair/facial hair combination that could touch the heart of thousands of Christians that were suckers for extremely excellent and very theatrical music videos? Tell me you thoughts...
