The 'Burbs'
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....
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....
posted by Levi at
12:02 PM
2 Comments:
Levi,
I think that this is extremely mature thinking. I like how well balanced you are in your quest to understand the different aspects of life. Your comments about the poor here look for a "center" and are not reactionary or in anyway out of sorts. I think you give a fair assessment to the situation. Very thought provoking and convicting, no doubt.
We've come a long way since we moved into 117 four and a half years ago. I'm super proud of you!
Yours,
mp
One thing i would encourage you to think about is the part of our story we read in the Old Testament. It seems that God often bends toward the marginalized and oppressed -- you might be able to say the poor. He calls those that love him to always be caring for the “widow, orphan, and immigrant” a grouping that represents the most marginalized of the time and is mentioned often in the OT. This caries over to Jesus and his call to discipleship I believe. Those who love God and follow Jesus will be bent the same way as God is, toward the marginalized and the oppressed -- the poor.
I think your right on in understanding that Jesus has come to SAVE the poor and the rich alike. This is evident in the NT for sure. Really he has come to redeem, save all of creation. But I don’t think this negates his heart for the marginalized. His bent toward the “poor” remains and love for all is consistent.
I have a hard time totally getting my mind around this as well but it’s hard to get around it if you read the whole of the scripture. And something important to add to this conversation is that Salvation is holistic. It’s not so we can get to heaven someday but it’s for here and now. This might be a very important and enlightening footnote to this conversation.
And those are my thoughts for what it’s worth.
Your on a good journey, keep open & thinking!
Shalom
~~Erik
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