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November 18 - December 21, 2020
At the very heart of the biblical story is justice, but also mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Without these qualities woven into a culture, it will disintegrate.
by adopting these secular, leftist categories, which are rooted in ideologies explicitly intended to divide people, well-meaning Christians are making divides within Christianity and even broader society worse rather than better.”
It prioritized the spiritual over the physical, evangelism over care for the poor, and full-time Christian ministry over work in the so-called “secular world.”
Let’s not simply be anti-ideological social justice. Let’s be probiblical worldview.
His death on the cross isn’t merely to save human souls out of the world, but to redeem all things broken through the fall.
Christians believe that change must first be inward and spiritual before it can manifest itself externally in society and culture. The problems with the world are not “out there” in society; rather, they are “in here” in our fallen hearts and minds.
“Evangelism is the major instrument of social change. For the gospel changes people, and changed people can change society.”8
We can agree with proponents of ideological social justice that structural or systemic evil exists. We need look no further than the pornography industry, which in the United States alone generates more than $2.5 billion in annual revenue and drives the evil of sex trafficking. Or we could look at Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry. These systemic evils should be torn down!
The fight against systemic social evil is not a distraction luring the church away from her central mission. No, this fight is fundamental to our calling.
If you believe a system is racist or sexist, make your best case, put forward the facts and evidence. Be specific. If you do, you’ll have many more Christians ready to stand with you in the fight.
Cancel culture doesn’t believe in free speech, dialogue, or debate with ideological adversaries. It has no basis for civility or respect for ideological opponents. It believes in prevailing at all costs. The ends justify the means. In cancel culture, there is no forgiveness. No reconciliation. No grace. It is toxic—even demonic. It destroys the social fabric and rips apart relationships.
There are two reactions that should be avoided. The first is to turn the tables in an attempt to use the same power tactics. But probably the bigger temptation is to be cowed into silence or submission.
The key institutions shaping our culture—education, the arts, film, literature and entertainment, law, and business—are almost entirely controlled by those operating from the presuppositions of ideological social justice.
Our theology of mission was reduced to numbers: How many souls saved? How many churches planted? How many people in the church on Sunday? God didn’t care about the culture. It was fallen and worldly, destined for destruction.
Their strategy was to influence the main drivers of culture, and they have been incredibly intentional and patient in carrying out their “long march through the institutions.”
The idea that education is “unbiased” or “neutral” is a myth. It will always be built upon a particular view of truth, morality, human nature, history, and much more. These views will always be informed by a deeper set of presuppositions, or worldviews. If not the biblical worldview, then another one.
We need to get back into the business of institutional formation and culture creation, particularly in the areas of education, the arts, media, law, and business.
Do you want to live in this kind of culture, much less participate in building it? Not me. I want to live in a culture where truth, justice, and love are the highest goods. A culture where God is honored as King, and all people, regardless of their race, sex, or class are respected and loved as His beloved children.
The kind of supernatural love and forgiveness demonstrated by Corrie Ten Boom, Anthony Thompson, and others at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina is a true revolution.
These kinds of stories are possible only in cultures that have been deeply shaped by the Transforming Story—the truth of the biblical worldview.
As well, if we throw out the biblical justice baby with the social justice bathwater, those who care for the oppressed will rightly call us hypocrites. Not for nothing does the Lord say to hypocrites, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24 ESV).
So let’s fight for justice in this world. Let’s fight for the victims of injustice. Let’s oppose sex trafficking. Female infanticide. The unborn at risk in their mothers’ wombs. Those persecuted for their beliefs, Christian and non-Christian. Let’s speak up for those facing execution unjustly. These fellow image-bearers are not facing microaggressions. They are facing macroaggressions, including torture and violent death.
To challenge the powers that be is to open yourself up to suffering and loss. The temptation to remain silent is great, but we must reject that temptation.
and
Since justice ultimately is God’s work, God’s representatives must do it in God’s way—not by overcoming evil with evil but, following the example of Corrie ten Boom and the members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, by overcoming evil with good.
