I’ve been rather intrigued and quite perplexed by all of the Christian emphasis that has been put on social justice lately. Books, concerts, CDs, and websites are filled with ways people can fight AIDS in Africa and feed the poor. As I read through the Bible, and especially the book of James, I see the importance of helping those who can’t help themselves. We’re to fight for justice. We’re to protect the widow. We’re to defend the fatherless.
Yet when I look at the renewed interest in fighting for these causes, the skeptic in me asks, “Is this only just a trend?”
You’re free to call me uncaring and judgmental, but at least hear me out before you make your final decision.
The Bible speaks very clearly on issues of social justice. We can see that in the parable of the Good Samaritan. James 1:27 tells us “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” When we read Micah 6:8, we hear “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Proverbs 31:9 says, “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
There is no doubt social justice is a biblical mandate. My question is: Do Christians view social justice from a biblical standpoint, or from a trendy standpoint?
A couple years ago, there was a faction of young adult Christians who were all about going “green” and protecting the planet. Their efforts went from things as small as telling people to turn off their lights when they left their houses, to telling people to take 30 second showers and buy Hybrid cars. I don’t seem to hear much about that anymore.
Unfortunately, I feel like sudden appearance and disappearance has been typical of most social justice movements that have been championed by Christians, especially young adult Christians. At one point it was feeding the poor. At another time it was fighting AIDS in Africa. Then it transitioned into providing clean water to third-world countries. Now, it seems like the next movement to take prominence is fighting human trafficking.
All of those are great causes, and Christians should be involved in doing something for the betterment of all those things. I’m even involved in helping fight a few of those things myself. But sadly, many Christians seem to jump headfirst into the movements when they’re popular, and then jump right back out as soon as they’re tired or they see another cause that seems to be more trendy.
Not seeing it? Think TOMS shoes. I don’t have to explain what they are. You know what they are. Why? Because they’re popular. Now I have nothing against TOMS shoes. The cause is a great cause. I have no problem with people buying the shoes either. But how many people seriously buy the shoes only because another pair of shoes goes to someone else who needs them? Very few. People buy them because they’re trendy and popular. If a person’s main concern was getting shoes on the feet of someone else, they could donate $40 to Samaritan’s Feet and give shoes to 8 kids. Again, I’m not blasting TOMS or people who buy TOMS. But sometimes we’re attracted to a “cause” because it’s popular at the time.
This issue seems to be very indicative of the “Christian hipster” movement. (If you are unfamiliar with the movement, I highly suggest you read Brett McCracken’s article on Hipster Faith by clicking here.) In his article in Christianity Today, McCracken says the following:
One of hipsterdom’s positive values is its concern for justice–whether it be sweatshops or sex trafficking, water wells or fiance reform. Hipsters almost always champion the cause of the underdog (immigrants, the poor, minorities) over those with power and privilege.
However, McCracken goes on to say:
[A] concern about hipster Christianity is its fundamental disposable, moving-on-to-what’s-next transience. Granted, there is a tension here, because hipsters are rediscovering ancient liturgy and hymns. But one gets the impression that these are valued mostly because they are countercultural and therefore cool in their own way. But cool is all about the “now.” It relentlessly pursues the next big thing, abandoning today’s trend for tomorrow’s with mechanistic speed and efficiency (think trucker hats or messenger bags).
Following God’s commands should not be based on what is cool or “hip” at the moment. And yet that is exactly what I see in many when it comes to the issue of social justice. When something hipper comes along, people abandon their current work for something else. As a consequence, we leave people empty and ministries in need.
One of the problems that long-standing charities face today is that people want to start their own “unique charitable work” rather than join others in something that is already established. What they don’t realize is that they are stripping resources from others who are fighting for similar causes. By trying to be “unique” and start something “new” and “trendy,” they actually hinder the resources and potential of other organizations. Then what happens when the “unique charitable work” decides to move on to something else? The results shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.
Thankfully there are people who are doing things the right way. Shaun Groves has been working with Compassion International for many years. He lives and breathes Compassion. It has become a part of who he is as a musician and as a person. Zach Hunter has been fighting slavery around the world since he was in 7th grade. These guys, and many others “get it.” They understand that social justice isn’t some trendy fad that will come and go like the latest fashion. Serving others is a biblical mandate from God and something all believers should follow now and forever.
We have to quit looking at our faith as nothing more than an application for entrance into college. Many times we think if we can just add one more activity or charitable work to our resume then God will find us worthy. That’s not how it works. Salvation is through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8.9). We can’t earn our way into heaven. We can’t do enough “good stuff” for God to look at us as worthy. We are saved by faith.
That being said, the Bible is also clear that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). We don’t do good works because we want to feel better about ourselves. We do good works to give glory to God, not ourselves.
Trendy Christianity is leaving people empty. It’s leaving workers empty. It’s leaving ministries empty. It’s leaving those in need empty. We don’t serve others to be hip or cool. If being “in the moment” is all we’re worried about, we’ll be chasing the moment for the rest of our lives. Serving others is about serving God. We do it because we’re supposed to and because we want to.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1:27
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