Glenn Beck Needs a Copy of the Poverty and Justice Bible

Glenn Beck Needs a Copy of the Poverty and Justice Bible

If you're reading this blog, you probably know that there are more than 2,000 verses in the Bible that address God's call to stand against poverty and oppression. There's even a new Poverty and Justice Bible that highlights all of the verses. I guess Glenn Beck didn't get the memo.

Last week, Beck said this:

I beg you, look for the words "social justice" or "economic justice" on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Now, am I advising people to leave their church? Yes!

Beck goes on to say that social and economic justice are code words for Nazism and communism.

Wow.

If "social and economic justice" are code for anything in the Christian tradition, it's to take seriously Christ's call to "love thy neighbor as thyself" and to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take care of the sick, and welcome the neighbor. Bread for the World has been proudly standing up for social and economic justice for more than 35 years. We do so because God calls us to do so. And yes, many times injustices are the result of oppressive policies. God called Moses to tell Pharaoh to "let my people go." Just imagine this conversation...

God: Hey there, Moses. Got a favor to ask. You need to go to your king and ask him to let your people go. I'm not a big fan of slavery. Sound good?

Moses: Nah, that sounds a little social justicey to me.

Just imagine if Christians and other people of faith and conscience had ignored the call to work for social justice. Martin Luther King Jr. might not have led the civil rights movement. William Wilberforce might not have led the call to end the British slave trade. Desmond Tutu might not have worked to end Apartheid.

A great response from our friend, Rev. Chuck Currie, here.

By the way, since Beck says you should run from churches that espouse social justice, we have a humble counter-plea. If your church isn't engaged in social justice work, run! Here are a few churches you can consider running to.

UPDATE: Bread is sponsoring a petition to Glenn Beck to tell him that economic justice is central to the gospel. If we get 35,000 people to sign, we'll deliver the petitions and a copy of the Poverty and Justice Bible. Will you add your name?

Matt Newell-Ching is Western Regional Organizer for Bread for the World.

Comments

Glenn Beck is right!!
"Justice" implies a right, an entitlement. There is no right or entitlement for relief from social or economic hardship only opportunity. Jesus teaches responding to these hardships out of a genuine love and compassion, not out of an edict from an earthly authority, governmental or church leader!!!

Posted by: Russ Cooper on March 10, 2010 at 10:14 AM

Aw Matt, I was right there with you until you said to run away from churches not engaged in social justice work.

How about, "If your church is not engaged in social justice work, have a conversation with the pastor about why not. Or ask if you can lead a Bible study on hunger. Or see if you can find like-minded people who might need a little help getting started."

Let's be positive about sharing our point of view. After all, it's good news.

Posted by: Sarah Turner on March 10, 2010 at 11:06 AM

Friendly amendment accepted, Sarah. Mea Culpa. In addition, they should visit here: www.justfaith.org

Posted by: Matt Newell-Ching on March 10, 2010 at 05:02 PM

I like what Jim Wallis said: "Beck says Christians should leave their social justice churches, so I say Christians should leave Glenn Beck." Sadly, I do know a ton of Christians that love Glenn Beck.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/biblical-social-justice-a_b_493875.html

Posted by: Megan Marsh on March 10, 2010 at 08:51 PM

Supporting and promoting social justice are good Christian acts. They are also good Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Pagan acts. It should be obligatory for all of us if we are to be truly human. Is Beck part of humanity?

Posted by: Ron Krumpos on March 13, 2010 at 03:19 PM

Economic and social justice according to whom and by what means? Do we use the force of government to achieve economic and social justice? God always allows us to choose and never coerces us or forces us to do anything.

Posted by: Yo Mama on March 26, 2010 at 04:14 PM

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