Social justice and the church

13 June 2010

All human beings are created in the image of God and bear the image of God.

Creation theology anchors this truth: all human beings have fundamental human rights.

However, human rights do not spell equal rights in reality. The oppression of man against man is nothing new. Thus, what George Orwell said in his book, Animal Farm is still true today,
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

God is not neutral to social injustice. He is dead against it. Jesus demands that His people advocate and practise justice,
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” (Lk 11:42)

To God, justice and love of God go together. His prophet, Isaiah cried out,
“Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)

The church is to be what God’s intention for the world is. She is to be the champion for the weak and vulnerable. She is to be voice for the voiceless.

While we may not have utopia on earth, we need to heed God’s call,
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).