The current issue of Relevant has a feature article with the 7 burning issues of our generation, and they have some of the leading voices in the Church today respond to them. I thought I’d highlight them in seven separate posts. Here is burning question number one…
Injustice: Is our focus on social justice out of balance?
The message to Christians today is very clear. Any gospel that isn’t good news to poor people simply isn’t the Gospel of Jesus Christ; any evangelism that doesn’t include social justice ignores the perfectly integrated life and message of Jesus. — Jim Wallis
Both the Great Commission and the Cultural Commission are part of God’s plan for creation, clearly mandated in Scripture. — Chuck Colson
People started clamoring around Jesus initially because He was healing people, and when they got close enough, they began to hear His message: “The Kingdom of God is available right now.” — Nancy Ortberg
The most important thing is for us to stop putting evangelism and social justice in opposition as if they are enemies. — Brian McLaren
When I look at Jesus, evangelism and dealing with injustice are inseparable in His life. People are hungry for a Gospel that embodies a social, political alternative to the patterns of our world. — Shane Claiborne
A follower of Christ doesn’t put on a “social justice” hat and then an “evangelism” hat and then try to discern which hat to wear the most and which hat is the most valuable. Why? Because it isn’t a hat; it’s the head and the heart. — Steve Brown
As the church is getting its hands dirty doing what needs to be done to help the poorest of the poor, people realize this Gospel really does make a difference. — N.T. Wright
Check out the May/June 2008 issue (#33) for their complete answers.
Filed under: Brian McLaren, Chuck Colson, Church, Evangelism, Injustice, Jim Wallis, N.T. Wright, Nancy Ortberg, Relevant Magazine, Religion, Shane Claiborne, Social Justice, Steve Brown
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