Jeremy L. Berg

Recently Glenn Beck warned Christians to be suspicious of churches that promote “social justice.”  His exact words on his March 2 show were: “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.”

Here is Ben Witherinton’s response to Mr. Beck.

Dear Glenn Beck:

I must admit that your recent attack  on the issue of whether the church should be involved in social justice matters or not took me by surprise especially when you inanely went on to associate it with socialism, communism, or even Nazism. This word just in— none of those -isms existed in Biblical times, but there are plenty of exhortations in the Bible, to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

Indeed, there is in fact about as much in the Bible about doing justice as there is about love, and furthermore there is more in the Bible about helping the poor than there is about salvation itself!  Imagine that.  The Bible is not just about ‘spiritual’ matters. You seem to have the mistaken notion that ‘social justice’ is somehow a liberal commie agenda foisted on the Christian Church or on the Mormon Church by left-leaning liberals.  Actually, the truth is it was set out as an obligation by God first for Israel and then for the Church.  God, it is safe to say, is neither a left wing Democrat nor a right wing Republican, or even an Independent.

In my own denomination, the United Methodist Church, our founder, John Wesley (a strong supporter of the British monarchy before the Revolutionary war and about as far from a communist, socialist, or Nazi as one could imagine) once said ‘there is no spiritual Gospel without the social Gospel’ (and vice versa).  He was of course right. Even if you just read the Sermon on the Mount in Mt. 5-7 you would discover than concern for the poor and for social justice were an essential part of Jesus’ message. You may remember that Jesus warned that ‘inasmuch as you have not fed, clothed, and sheltered ‘the least of these’, you have not done it unto to Me.’ I’m wondering if you have been listening to Jesus lately.  Might I suggest that before you go pontificating on matters about which you are ill informed, that you do a little research first?  I suggest you start by reading carefully my recent book Jesus and Money. You will discover that Jesus is peeved with some of the things you have been fulminating about and have unbiblical opinions on.

I cannot speak for all Christians, but I can say that there are plenty of orthodox ones, both Protestants, Catholics, and of the various Orthodox denominations who while conservative Christians are very involved with matters of social justice, and frankly were very offended by your off the cuff, inappropriate remarks.  Have you ever heard of the Salvation Army?  If they listened to your advice they would have to shut down 90 percent of their ministry!  You should apologize to them and the rest of us in this category. Many of them are in fact  dedicated Republicans.  You will not be increasing market share of your TV or radio audience if you keep attacking many of those who are your base.

You may think that your ranting and raving, first on CNN and then on Fox and on the radio is promoting valuable discussion of important issues, but in fact all your doing is adding to the coarsening of discourse in our culture and the closing of the American mind.  I suggest you go back to school for a while and not open your mouth again until you have something well-informed, carefully researched, peer-reviewed, and of general value to the public to say.  Until then— silence is golden.  Recite this mantra to yourself before breakfast tomorrow—- ‘bombast won’t last, but God’s concern for justice for the poor and oppressed will’.

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Ben Witherington, III

HERE