As Colson, Mohler and Others Release Video Series on Social Justice (Yes, Social Justice), It’s Time for Glenn Beck to Apologize to Christians
It really is past time for Glen Beck to apologize to Christians for his equating the church’s work in social justice with Nazism and Communism. He’s not just enraging liberals; he’s become an embarrassment to conservatives. And on this point he’s just wrong in the most offensive way.
Although he wasn’t directing his comments at the Heritage Foundation video series, Beck’s comments were made just after the release by Heritage of the series on social justice with Chuck Colson of BreakPoint, Al Mohler of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Sean Litton of the International Justice Mission, and other evangelical leaders speaking on the meaning and importance of social justice.
Beck’s comments are not an issue of left and right but of false representation of the teachings of Jesus on care for the poor and the suffering, and a broadside against those who live out the Gospel in our society.
The criticism of Beck is strong and diverse, from many parts of the religious spectrum:
Jim Wallis, Sojourners
James Martin, S.J., Catholic priest
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Joe Carter, evangelical editor, First Things
The Rev. Canon Peg Chemberlin, president of the National Council of Churches of Christ USA
David Gushee, evangelical, professor of Christian ethics, Mercer University
Marty Duren, Southern Baptist pastor
It’s time for Beck to make amends, or for Fox News to censure him or drop his show.
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He should clarify his statement, but Jim Wallis and his ilk prove Beck right, to an extent. These people openly push for socialism in the name of Jesus, so in certain instances Beck is right.
I bookmarked the Heritage Foundation site for later reading. I’m interested to see what they have to say.
I should clarify my above statement. The problem certainly isn’t justice, but the way certain people on the left has come to define it. Words like social justice have loaded meanings and it’s great the Heritage Foundation is working to change the strict meaning of “social justice.” Justice is something all people should strive for., left or right, Christian or not.
Dare I say that churches that do not help the homeless and poor are doing poor jobs at being churches? I know not every church can afford to help everybody, but helping the poor and hungry in their congregation should be their second most important function, second only to saving souls.
Donnie,
If you’re a Christian(and I’m not saying you aren’t), why do you have to listen Glenn Beck for guidance on issues. I try to listen to God’s calling. If Glenn is not Christian, he has to be a messenger of the other side. Morals and values not based on scripture have no foundation EVEN if they are similar to God’s word.
Even though I’m pretty wildly conservative, I’ve never watched Glenn Beck, save for snippets that people put up on blog posts. If I did watch him, I wouldn’t use him as an instructional guide for my Christian behavior (I prefer to use the Old & New Testaments for that). Social justice is, I think, a loaded term which some Christians misuse. The NT does not give prescriptive instruction for us to expect the gov’t to supply our needs, nor for us to live communally, pooling our resources. But it does clearly tell us to care for poor, sick, needy, widowed, etc. Pretty simple in statement – yet we make it complex in execution.
Whether or not Fox should drop Beck’s show would be a business decision (maybe it will happen when MSNBC drops the useless Olbermann show).
Mike,
I certainly do not look to Beck for “guidance.” I’ve come to my beliefs on my own. He is a convert to Mormonism, so I’d never listen to him on spiritual matters, but I do agree with him most of the time on political issues.
I see no conflict between the Bible and conservative fiscal principles. We are supposed to render unto Caesar, but that is as far as it goes. The Bible doesn’t tell us what government programs we have to support. In fact, the Bible says that we (the church) are supposed to help the poor and needy. It says nothing about giving to Caesar so that HE can help the poor. Not that you suggested such a thing. I’m just explaining my beliefs.
And,for the record, I am not against the government assisting the poor. Some programs could use an overhaul, but I’d never suggest getting rid of them full-stop.
A short aside: most polls indicate conservatives are far more likely to donate money and volunteer time to charity than liberals. Take that as you will.
For those following this thread, I’m writing a post on it with my thoughts that will go up later today.
What Beck would have been saying, in the crowd, while Jesus Christ was on the cross:
“Take that, you peace loving, sandal wearing, long haired, scummy lazy hippy! You’re getting what you deserve, with all of your preaching about justice and kindness and compassion. You make me sick!”