Justice or Missions?
One of the privileges of being a mission educator is to prepare and equip the students of the next generation to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Perhaps the greatest challenge is not training them for the ministry that I had, but for the ministry to which God is calling them. I believe that the Spirit of God leads each generation in a unique way and one of the challenges is being sensitive to that calling. As we prepare students we need to be aware of the changing conditions of the field, which I will discuss in later posts; but we also need to equip them for the unique calling to which God has called them.
One of the trends I have seen among our students is an increased concern to address vast human global needs: poverty, AIDS, prostitution, human trafficking, child soldiers, etc. I saw a glimmer of this trend when I first taught an integration seminar in 2002. Our class reading revolved around “God’s heart for the poor, the marginalized, and the helpless.” I was surprised at the response of the students. They not only were interested in the topic, but had already confronted these issues on mission trips. They urgently needed an avenue through which they could process their experience and build upon it in a constructive way. I continue to see this interest grow among young people on our campus and beyond.
My generation tends to react when we hear the phrase ‘social justice’. We often envision liberalism, liberation theology, and socialism, which were associated with the term when we were in college (redistributive justice). Or we think of justice as it has been used recently, “Justice has been done” (retributive justice). But before we react to this growing interest in social justice among our students we should understand what they mean by justice. This generation understands justice as transformative justice. Transformative justice is relational; it is restoring people’s relationships with God, with each other in community, and with the broader structures of society. This generation does not separate “good news” and “good works”. These are inseparable in the hearts of today young people.
God has given this generation a heart to serve the most marginalized and hurting of the world and to bring them the good news that Jesus can transform their hearts and lives. It is important to realize that many of the most impoverished countries of the world are also the least evangelized. Has this generation lost its way by seeking to be involved in global issues such as AIDS, human trafficking, poverty, etc.? I don’t think so. I believe that the Sprit of God is moving this generation to address these issues in order to bring His love and compassion to those who need it the most.
Comments
Ken Berding May. 8, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Thanks for this post, Sue. I'm really glad we're not living anymore in a day when people assume you are a liberal if you care about justice and social action. Christians should care about the things that God cares about, including caring for widows and orphans and defending those who are poor, along with a host of other social issues mentioned in the Bible.
Still, I have a genuine concern about some of my students who show intense interest in justice and social action but are downright hesitant about ever sharing the good news about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and about reconciliation with God through his death. I think John Piper put it well: “We care about all suffering now, especially eternal suffering later.” We should not exclude social concern because of gospel concern, but far be it from us to exclude the gospel while we focus on people's physical needs.
Lois Thorpe May. 13, 2011 at 1:08 AM
Now if established organizations can start thinking along the same lines and be able to mobilize this kind of enthusiasm and willingness to confront injustice, the impact could be phenomenal.
I think Ken's observation is quite true. I wonder if it's that they haven't seen good examples of how to tie the two together. I've seen poor examples, which turn me off also, so I can see where this generation (not so much younger than me) are coming from. What they need to see is compassion shown and truth spoken in a way that can make sense to them and those they share it with. Maybe that is what we need to be praying for, that as this generation grows into maturity, that they will have mentors that are able to show them how to think about and practice these things.
Jason Brown May. 22, 2011 at 3:09 PM
I'm really happy to see recognition of our generation's heart for social justice. It is just so true. One thing that this generation is getting, as well, is that social justice and evangelism are not mutually exclusive endeavors. We get that true justice comes from Jesus on the cross, and that Jesus mobilizes us to share this redemptive truth AND to transform the world in light it. Justice flows from God and the Gospel. This is "transformative justice." And, where past generations have argued over whether Christians should share the Gospel or work for social justice, this generation sees these two things together. We are sharing bread and the Bread of Life. We are transforming individual hearts, communities, and systems with the Gospel. We are living justly, as Jesus did. I'm glad that we are moving toward a holistic vision for the Kingdom of God. Finally, it seems we are doing justice to the immensity of the Gospel.
Jessica Horner May. 26, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Sue, thank you for the post. As a student I have also seen the increased interest in social justice not only on Biola's campus but all over the country. I too have witnessed your generation's uneasiness with the term 'social justice' because they remember it in the form of socialism and liberalism. I have realized that there can be a dichotomy between evangelism and justice but I do not believe that is the way God planned for it to be. Holistic mission should be theocentric and anthropocentric. This generation is concerned with the world's needs because of faster, more convenient communication and travel. This necessitates viewing those on other continents as our neighbors. Being immersed in groups of peers that are social justice advocates I know that they are just as concerned for our 'neighbor's' salvation as they are for their needs. Jesus' ministry called for both word and deed. There should not be one without the other.