From The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis:
“About the general connection between Christianity and politics, our (the demon’s) position is more delicate.
Certainly we do not want men to allow their Christianity to flow over into their political life, for the establishment of anything like a really just society would be a major disaster.
On the other hand, we do want, and want very much, to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything—even to social justice.
The thing to do is to get a man at first to value social justice as a thing which the Enemy (God) demands, and then work him on to the stage at which he values Christianity because it may produce social justice. For the Enemy will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of Heaven as a short cut to the nearest chemist’s shop. Fortunately it is quite easy to coax humans round this little corner.”
When I read the above statement written by C.S. Lewis in 1941, it took me several moments to wrap my brain around the concept presented. I then had to read the letter a second time, then a third, then I waited for our group of friends to come to our house in the hopes that someone would unpack it for me.
The mere definition of social justice itself causes my brain to turn over. What does that phrase even mean? In my search for some kind of answer, I turned to Professor Google to help me out:
– According to the National Association of Social Workers, social justice is “the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.”
– According to BusinessDictionary.com social justice is defined as “The fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice. See also civil rights.”
– The Catholic World Report informs us that the idea of social justice was first presented by a Jesuit Philosopher named Luigi Taparelli D’Azeglio. This early philospher’s theory was described by Thomas C. Behr of The University of Houston as “a legal order and normative ideal within a society by which individuals and their various associations are given the maximum range of liberty in pursuit of their proper ends, with a minimum of interference from superior authorities, i.e., only to the extent necessary to orient general activity towards the common good, and governed by the principles of conflicting rights, prudence, and, ultimately, of charity.”
When I read this post at Cardus.com, my mind almost exploded with the range and depth of thought that was given to this idea of social justice. Read through the theories slowly and carefully and take a moment to chew on the difference between social justice and social charity.
Without doubt, “Social Justice” is a buzz word and it seems to have been one for centuries. It sounds noble to claim that we are for social justice, but the fact is it is a phrase without a real definition and you cannot really back up the notion of social justice scripturally.
In today’s modern society (particularly Western society), social justice is quickly followed by a list of those things we believe to be rights and we all seem to have a mountain we’re ready to die on when it comes to social justice.
It has become so prevalent to fight for the modern social justice, that even the Church as a whole is separate on the issue with I myself taking part in the noise. But lately I’ve had to pause and ask the question: Is social justice demanded of us by God?
Did Jesus fight for social justice?
We’re told in Acts 2 that the early church was “together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” It seems to me, as I read through this passage, that this is a picture of the church operating in Love, not under some forced and false notion of social justice.
Perhaps the most common argument used by Christians when trying to define social justice is the fact that Jesus stood for Love and if Jesus is Love, then we must be that as well. This is true, but do Love and social justice go hand in hand? I think, again, it depends on how we define social justice.
What are your thoughts on this issue? How do you define social justice and within the paramenters of that definition, how do you apply it to your faith? What does it mean to Love and serve others as Jesus commanded of us? I’d love some discussion on this because my brain spins when I try to grasp it.
Update: The term I’m looking to discuss is “social justice,” which I believe is entirely different than the term justice as defined by God. We are definately called to seek justice, but how have we warped that calling? We have politicized and twisted the idea of justice and made it a thing that is to be held in the same hand as faith.
To channel Linda Richman…”Talk amongst yaselves.”
Micah 6:8 ~ He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Social justice is certainly contained in this verse – actually, read the JUSTICE is certainly contained in this verse. Perhaps social justice is a faulty term; justice in every realm is our calling from God. One of the great gaps in Christianity today is the lack of seeking justice for the disenfranchised, the abused, the enslaved, the widow and orphan. We seem to be so concerned about the soul that we fail to see the suffering. Perhaps if we were to show grace to the suffering we would gain an opening to the soul. Love, and God is love, drives us to stand for those used and abused by others. I also think that Christ came to earth to show us how this works, to love and serve others. His example shows us that he spent time with the people mentioned above and was highly criticized for doing so. His words about setting the captives free and about the well not needing a doctor show his heart that caused him to hang out with prostitutes, touch lepers and lame and blind. The model to follow is there; we just live in a different time with a reluctancy to get involved with the lepers and prostitutes of our day.
I agree with you, Uncle Dusty. I think my issue with “social justice” is that it has become politicized. We believe it has to do with equality and fairness and everyone getting their equal share. In that regard I think the Church has misused and abused God’s command to do justice. Does that make sense?
Some personal thoughts regarding social justice:
1) Social justice does not depend on religion for its principles.
2) Social justice is derived from empathy and/or the golden rule.
3) Social justice is a reasonable issue for politics.
4) Social justice is addressed by all religions, in one form or another.
5) Social justice is intimately connected to freedom.
6) Social justice does not depend upon love.
7) To better understand what a person means by social justice, have the person explain social injustice.
Kelli, your post is interesting and provocative. Keep up the good writing. –Ron
Very good thoughts, Ron. I think I’m directing this post more at Christians than any other religion, though I do see the validity in your points.
Social Justice from a political standpoint makes absolute sense and I don’t know that you can have a democracy without it.
But from a faith standpoint, it’s a different thing entirely. However, I think many Christians are using social justice as a means for achieving political gain and they proclaim it to be “God’s Will.”
I don’t know that God ever willed social justice from a strictly political point of view. But again, that’s where the difference in definition is very, very important.
Thanks for the discussion, Ron!