Justice or Christianity?
By Chuck on Nov 17, 2008 in Featured
I’ve recently heard that some people are beginning to call our younger people (including college-age) “The Justice Generation.” Everyone from major Christian organizations, campus ministers…to Mtv are all calling for involvement in the world and community. On Mtv last night they were pushing record sales by having a portion go to an organization that serves the community. My hunch is this will really help boost sales. First of all, of course I think the support of such organizations is great. But, I also have some thoughts/concerns/cautions/questions I would like to throw out about this recent push toward justice:
- I’m bummed that, once again, the church isn’t leading this movement. This type of service to our community and the needy in the world is no longer a way we can be different. The reality is the secular culture is pushing this more than the church.
- The push to serve the community we live in can be a biblical push, however I also think that Jesus can be lost in our push to serve. This is a huge concern. We have to be able to help our people understand biblically why we serve - beyond just being a part of a cultural or generational value. If we don’t provide a biblical framework and reasoning for our service we’ll eventually lose.
- Along with the push to serve, we have to equip our students with how to help their friends understand that this cultural movement was originated with Jesus! The Church must begin to show the world that their concern with the needy and helpless is a biblical concern. However, we must also be willing to face the push back that will come - people will automatically question us as to why the Church hasn’t been doing this all along. Great question.
- I’m concerned that young people will begin to understand Christianity as service rather than worship of Jesus. Service is simply a form of worship. Jesus defines Christianity and is the reason we serve. We cannot lose Jesus in our serving.
This is about Jesus. I pray we can keep our focus…
I can’t think of anything that Jesus talked about more than service or giving or generosity or putting others first.
While it is true that we mustn’t lose Jesus in justice, i think it is much more accurate to say that we “find” Jesus in justice.
I would be very fine with our generation becoming the “justice generation.” I don’t even mind if companies realize that taking care of their communities helps their sales. It is much better than companies thinking that their sales are better if they don’t help their communities.
Justice is inseparable from the Gospel and from Christ.
Adam | Nov 17, 2008 | Reply