Marvin Olasky and social justice

Last updated on: April 7, 2010 at 8:10 am by Adam Carrington

Marvin Olasky and social justice 2010-04-07T08:10:38-06:00 Adam Carrington

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With all the hoopla about Glenn Beck v. Jim Wallis on “social justice,” this is worth noting. Marvin Olasky has a problem with how many theologians and pastors mean the term “social justice.” He says, if necessary, find another church. A snippet of his thoughts (via Between Two Worlds):

[M]odern usage [of the term “social justice”] by liberal preachers and journalists is thoroughly unbiblical: Many equate social justice with fighting a free enterprise system that purportedly keeps people poor but in reality is their best economic hope.

How to respond? I’d suggest four possible ways. . .

Challenge those who speak of “social justice” in a conventionally leftist way. If your local church is committed to what won’t help the poor but will empower would-be dictators, pray and work for gospel-centered teaching. If necessary, find another church.

A second: Try to recapture the term by giving it a 19th- (and 21st?) century small-government twist. The Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute are trying to do this. I wish them success.

A third way: Accept the left’s focus on systemic problems but not its faulty analysis. Learn about the biggest institutional hindrance to economic advance for the poor: the government’s monopoly control of taxpayer funds committed to education and welfare. Work for school vouchers and tax credits that will help many poor children to grow both their talents and their knowledge of God.

Fourth and best: Tutor a child. Visit a prisoner. Help the sick. Follow Christ.

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