For the Bible tells me so?
He went on to explain that social justice was something secular, a product of socialist progressives and extreme-left liberals.
Where had I heard this before?
Glenn Beck of Fox News advised his followers that if they heard the terms “social justice” or “economic justice” preached in their churches to run as fast and as far away as they could.
He went on to give a lengthy explanation of these terms, which, in essence, boiled down to one word: socialism.
Although Lutherans are credited with being “People of the Book” (sola scriptura), I wonder how many of us could either dispute or support Beck’s assertions based on the Bible? Is social justice unbiblical? Is social justice the same as socialism? Is socialism unbiblical?
In one congregation, a young Sunday school student brought his Bible to church. “What is that you’re holding?” asked a friendly parishioner. “It’s my Bible. I didn’t see any here so I thought I’d bring my own.”
There are Gallup polls that tell us that nearly every American owns a least one Bible, but few know what’s inside. “Who were Cain and Abel?” Jay Leno of “The Tonight Show” asked a passer-by in Los Angeles. “Friends of Jesus?” was the sheepish reply.
Measuring biblical knowledge is not necessarily a game of “Jeopardy!” However, many would agree that all of us could study the Bible a little more.
From 1948 to 1960, Milwaukee Mayor Frank Zeidler led the city through major projects including thousands of new public housing units and an educational television station.
Zeidler was conversant in Martin Luther’s “two kingdoms” theory in which both church and government have a responsibility to each other — and that those in public office have responsibilities to ensure justice and preserve peace.
Zeidler was a member of the Socialist Party. Zeidler was also a biblically grounded, faithful Lutheran.
Words such as justice, evangelical and progressive, among others, have become the subject of serious discussion and polarizing blather. Often these terms have taken on new meanings and values.
Often, these meanings are incorrect: Social justice means socialism; an evangelical is a fundamentalist; progressives are left-wing, radical liberals.
Unfortunately, media celebrities have become our new scholars, theologians, pastors and yes, even savior.
Imagine this conversation:
Glenn: Jesus, don’t you think that social justice is wrong? I mean, it’s another way of saying that the government should take from the rich and give to the poor. That’s socialism. That’s not right, is it?
Jesus: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.
Glenn: OK, you’re God’s Son. I’m all for helping the poor. I give a lot of money to charity.
Jesus: There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.
Glenn: I know you just meant that as a metaphor for being generous. Americans don’t need the government to take care of the poor. We’re pretty good at that as private citizens.
Jesus: Moses once said, “Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns.”
Glenn: But those illegal aliens; first of all, they’re taking away all of our jobs and draining our tax dollars. We need to take care of our citizens first.
Jesus: Again, Moses said, “Do not deprive the alien or fatherless of justice.”
Glenn: Justice? I’m for justice. What’s fair is fair — if you work hard, you live well.
Jesus: It is said, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
Glenn: Sure, Jesus. But I’m only one person and I’m doing the best that I can.
Jesus: And learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.
Glenn: We’ve run out of time, Jesus. And come to think of it, I’ve gotta run too.
Whether we’re talking about social justice, global justice, economic justice or just justice, Lutherans should run as fast as they can into their churches to study the Bible regularly, and simultaneously run out into the world with that good news.
This discussion is resurfacing now that we are in the heat of the 2012 U.S. Presidential campaigns. Rhetoric about economic justice and immigration are polarizing the public. The poor are being demonized. All the more reason we need to be reminded of the grace of God. We need to come together in prayer and Bible study to help us be discerning. We are in, but not of, this world. Help us, good Lord, to know the difference.
God has given each of us a talent - to Invent, Teach, Create, Build, Buy, Sell, Make Profits, Expand ...
To make money, to employ others so they can make money!
This enables us to take care of our OWN families AND then as Christians to help others that are in need... the homeless, orphans, widows etc. And the more we as Christians prosper the more we can help others in need.
This does not replicate socialism or social justice but a free people and Capitalism!
The rich man that came to Jesus in Mark 10; “knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18.So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”[c]
20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Let’s pretend this chapter is about social justice and how to apply it to our economy. First Jesus told the rich man to “SELL” all his stuff, his possessions. If a rich man sells all his possessions, in return he received money and then he takes that money and gives it to the poor. But that doesn’t mean the rich man is no longer rich.... because for him to be rich also meant he had to have more than just "things", he had to have actual “Coins” ... Money stashed some where. Are we to think Jesus just forgot to mention give all your bags and chests of money away also? No, Jesus only said, give all the money away that you make from selling your possessions. If selling possessions giving to the poor was the answer, then why did Jesus say first,did you Obey all the commandments? If the rich man said No, would Jesus be telling him to sell his possessions? Or would he say obey all 10 then come back and ask me???
Since this chapter has nothing to do with social economics,but simply about a rich man asking what must he do to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus first tells the man to obey all the 10 commandments and when he said he did, then Jesus tells him to sell all he has, to show him there is no good work or deed in ourselves that we can do to enter the Kingdom of God. If so, then we are saying Jesus death on the cross for eternal salvation, forgiveness of sin wasn’t enough.... we are saying, Jesus death on the cross PLUS our good works gives us entrance into the Kingdom of God.
To further show this is not about social economics.... in verse 23 & 24, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God”.
So we can see that Jesus had to clarify, having riches isn’t the problem! It’s “TRUSTING” in the riches. Trusting in anything other than Jesus who is our redeemer our savior to enter the Kingdom of God.
To further show this story has nothing to do with social justice or social economics, in verse 26-27; there were others very concerned with Jesus answer, and they were saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” They also were wanting to know who can be saved to enter the Kingdom of God.
This shows that Mark Chapter 10 regarding the rich man is about putting our trust in nothing but Jesus who is our entrance into the Kingdom of God.
For anyone to say; Mark Chapter 10 the story of the rich man shows Jesus wants the wealthy to pay more in taxes, the gov't should take take their money and give it to others, pay for gov’t run health care, and justify this saying it’s rooted in Christianity as if it's biblical sound doctrine is a Lie
Regarding any kind economic justice;
2 Thessalonians 3:7-15
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Now.... that’s Christian Economics