Social Justice and the challenge for the Church

As a simple observer, I've found that many of the younger people, particularly in the Belgian Church context, are very much interested in social justice, poverty, environment and so forth. Recently, I read a not so old article, that touches this issue, particularly the controversy between those focused on "saving souls" and those focused mainly on doing charity actions.

I would recommend Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright's excellent book "Evil and the Justice of God" to enrich and bring a refreshed view on what Christianity actually means. For some people, being Christian is all about where they go when dead (heaven or hell). With all respect, that particular view isn't really what the Bible tells about being a disciple of King Jesus. Although we've reached The End (eschatos) in Jesus, because of His resurrection, that gives us the guarantee of the way to follow, we have the vocation to embody Gods restorative program for the whole creation, advancing "new creation", in prayer and worship. We are called to live a different lifestyle, the lifestyle of eternity fueled by love in total honesty, holiness and truth.

Advancing the Kingdom means that there is still lots of work to be done here and now on earth. Creation is longing for the manifestation of the Sons of God. How long must creation wait? There is a need of the future breaking in the present to restore things, e.g. to correct injustice. The Church should confront the ugliness of the monsters (political and ruling human systems) that rise from the deep of the sea (far away from God's heart) with the beauty of the bride, the New Jerusalem, shining in glory because it comes directly from God's heart.

The challenge for the Church, the Body of Christ on earth, is to embody a different way of doing things and relating. The world should know that we are Jesus' disciples when we love each other. When we understand that the Cross made a way for forgiveness, for collaboration, for destruction of social inequalities, then we can confront the system and tell out loud: Jesus is actually King.

Copyright Note: The picture "Homeless Christ" is property of Deb Hoeffner Illustration, and has been used with permission.