Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Church and the Social Gospel

Glenn Beck, radio and television talk show host, has always been controversial. He thrives on it. I am not a fan and I think I will leave it at that. My personal opinions of the man and his overall ideology is better left unsaid. And, I hardly have the time today, so that is another incentive to keep my mouth shut at this time. I would, however, like to touch on a subject that has created much controversy over recent days. Mr. Beck encouraged people attending churches that used the term social or economic justice to leave and find another church. He also equated social/economic justice to socialism, etc.

After steaming about this for a week now, and joining every "anti-Beck" group I could find on Facebook, I have had time for the initial indignation to subside and to really think about this problem. Unfortunately, Beck's sentiment is wide spread, and even Christians are very divided on the issue of social justice and what role the church should play in addressing the woes of society. There are two scriptures that come to my mind that address this very issue and I think they are very important in helping us to reflect upon our place in the world as people of faith. And really, that is what the core argument is all about to me. What part should the church or person of faith play in addressing the social and economic evils present in our world?