JULY 29, 2020
In His Image: Decoding Race and Injustice from a Christian Perspective
What is the biblical definition of social justice?
Social justice work guided by God’s idea of justice and equality. We have the following work to do:
1. correct the political and societal systems that deviate from the basic premise that all humankind is created equal in the image of God
2. proclaim the truth about God’s vision for a diverse humanity
3. lovingly guide fellow believers (and future believers) toward a God-based identity and righteous living with others according to Jesus’ command to “have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
Scriptural References: John 13: 34-35; Genesis 1:27; Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:17
Is the body of Christ called to do social justice work in the public sphere?
God cares about and commands the church to fight injustice–just as Jesus did.
Scriptural References: Luke 4:16-19; Genesis 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:10; Jeremiah 29:7
Social Justice + Ministry
1. Not all social justice work is ministry because not all social justice work points people toward the gospel.
2. Not all ministry is social justice-oriented in that it may only address the fruits–rather than the roots–of injustice (put another way, ministry may not always right the wrongs that perpetuate inequities).
Key Points
• God commands the church to fight injustice.
• For believers, social justice work involves both the eternal (salvation) and the here-and-now (pressing social ills).
• The local church must consider the following in planning a social justice project:
(1) community needs, (2) resources, (3) opportunity (emergent issues & collaborators), and (4) passion (established ministry character and vision).
