Light To The Fog
In the culture today, there are many ideas concerning the theological and social implications of justice. The rallying cry that has been heard repeatedly for justice. Justice in the midst of police brutality, and the ills of systemic racism. Hashtag culture has pervaded social media in the cries for justice. Hashtags like; #trayvonmartin, #breonnataylor, #aumaudaubrey, #elijahmcclain, #bothamjean, and most recently #georgefloyd. It should be evident to those who have eyes that there is a problem. The problem: injustice. The solution: justice. This is basic mathematics. As the cry for justice prevails, there are many forms of justice that can be plugged in to solve the problem of injustice. That comes with the understanding that the administration of justice should not be blind. Justice applied blindly is not justice, it is a fractured and faulty solution to a problem. Social injustice should not be fixed with justice that fails to address the injustice. You don’t repair a broken glass with a hammer.
It should be evident to those who have eyes that there is a problem.
Social Justice
Within the realm of justice, there is social justice. To avoid confusion, I define social justice as: “The righting of wrongs perpetuated by society throughout history.” Social justice is NOT: the guilt-tripping of white people, “reverse racism”, Marxism, Socialism, Liberal, Leftist agenda, or unbiblical. These terms have been used to conflate concepts and, at times, inaccurately label individuals and movements that challenge the status quo. While there are many who claim and assert that Christianity is incompatible with Social Justice. There is Scriptural evidence to the contrary.
Examples of Social Justice
There are examples from the past in which we can see social justice being done to maintain peace. In Scripture there is God’s judgement of His people for their passivity to the injustices that are occurring around them (Amos 2:6-7). While we can see that there was social justice in the Bible, when was the last time that social justice materialized and went forth in society today? There has not been a serving of social justice for Black people in over a decade. Arguably, the most recent feast of social justice for Black people occurred during the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, and the abolishment of Jim Crow laws. So, if social justice is purported to be a theory by some, why are we running from concepts within the minds of individuals? If social justice is an act of correcting injustice, why are some afraid of justice? In the mind of some, justice is served when mothers, fathers, and children are given million-dollar settlements from agencies, cities, and police departments. Is that truly justice or is it hush money? Is the correcting of societal injustice an issue for some because some people would rather have power and prestige rather than see justice carried out?
There has not been a serving of social justice for Black people in over a decade.
Theology
Theology is understood by many to be the study of God (Theo=God). For the Christian faith, this means the study of Jehovah as revealed in Scripture. This definition of theology is reduced to knowledge only and devoid of action. Allow me to add depth and soul to the above and common understanding of theology. I would argue that a wholistic definition of theology is, to borrow from Brother Carl Ellis, “The application of God’s Word by persons in every area of life.” This harmonious definition merges thought and action. For, the Bible teaches us, we should love not only in word, but in deed as well.What are different ways for the Christian to put the Word of God into action?
1. Examine your heart for places of defensiveness, fear, or racial prejudice.
2. Commit yourself to reading and listening to African Americans and other persons of color as they seek to teach us about these things.
3. As the truth of racial issues become clear, identify places in your life and in your sphere of influence where racial justice needs to take shape and how you might contribute to it.
4. Look to people who are leading in this work, learning the best ways to approach it.
5. Build strong, collaborative partnerships with African American communities; ask them what they most need from us; listen carefully; and then work to provide it. Be open to receiving from them as well.
6. Remember that formation and mission are lifelong processes. Move forward and do so in grace, knowing that Christ by his Spirit has gone before us and that we are companioned along the way!
“Ignorance of each other is what has made unity impossible in the past. Therefore, we need enlightenment. We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity. Once we have more knowledge (light) about each other, we will stop condemning each other and a United front will be brought about.”
