Readers weigh in on 'social justice'

Showing compassion, feeding the homeless and changing the world through the political process are described as “social justice” in your article (“Social justice vs. kingdom work,” Page 3, March).

But the article does not mention the origin of that “social justice.”

Where does the funding originate? The compassion? From voluntary giving by people who have the resources and compassion in their heart? 

Or does it originate by way of a government program funded by taxes? Taxes are not normally voluntary.

Voluntary giving by compassionate people used to be, and still is, called charitable giving and is a high Christian calling (Matthew 25:31-46).

Beverley Becker | Elgin, Neb.


Aside from the fact that I agreed with Scot McKnight’s assessment of social justice, I would add several things. First, many young people have been weaned on social justice as defined by politicians and political groups who would like nothing more than to expunge God from the process. Their idea of social justice is not the same as the Bible’s.

Second, the impulse for social programs will lose its sustaining power the more we detach our desire for social justice from our faith in the God who is a God of justice.

It is popular in society to be concerned for the less fortunate, but what will happen to our desire if society moves on to other causes? Are we following God or are we just riding a wave of popular sentiment?

Bob Weber | Chatham, N.J.


Somehow, the tension between meeting the social needs of others and reaching these same people with the Gospel needs to be relieved.

There is an obvious misunderstanding. It is not “either/or.” You cannot read Matthew 25 and believe that Jesus is not interested in social issues. Also Isaiah 58. It is also obvious that the mission of Jesus was to die on the cross, be buried and raised for the salvation of mankind.

Jim Woodell | Searcy, Ark.