Social Justice -Biblically Defined

What is social justice? And why do some Christians agree with it, while other do not? These are questions I would like to take a little time to deal with.

First of all, what is social justice? I believe it is ensuring that the underprivileged and needy are treated fairly. Some believe it means the removal of inequalities among people. And I guess that is the way it is largely understood.

This is where I stand. I think there are several verses in the Bible that contend we are supposed to fight for the rights and the needs of the poor and underpriviledged. Psalm 82:3-4 says that we should "Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." That, to me, is the root of social justice.

Read through Psalm 72 and Proverbs 31:8-9. Both of these passages equate justice and righteousness with caring for the poor and needy, with the oppressed. These are traits of good kings and leaders. Why would we disdain it?

In Jeremiah 22:16-17 God says through the prophet that defending the cause of the poor and needy is what it means to know Him. In correlation, James 1:27 says that true religion is, in part, caring for the orphan and the widows. How can we say that God is not concerned with justice for those in need?

Proverbs 14:21 "He who despises his neighbor sins, BUT blessed is he who is kind to the needy." The transitional but indicates by not being generous to someone, you are essentially despising them....which is sin. My footnotes say that: "Sharing food (Proverbs 28:8), lending money, (also 28:8) and DEFENDING the rights (Proverbs 31:9) are ways to show kindness. Such a person honors God (Proverbs 21:31) We see here that if we do not defend the rights of our poor neighbor , (and Jesus' definition of neighbor isn't limited to the guy who lives on your street...look up the story of the Good Samaritan if you don't believe me) we are hating him, which is sin in God's eyes.

Let's take a closer look at Proverbs 21:31. It says, "He who oppresses the poor shows CONTEMPT FOR THEIR MAKER, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Other verses you can cross reference are Proverbs 17:5 and Proverbs 22:6. It seems pretty clear that not only does God want us to care for, to seek justice for, the poor and oppressed, but also to do otherwise is a slap in the face to our Creator.

Some people think this is an idea limited to the Old Testament. Is Christ concerned about these things? If we read Matthew 25:31-46, we see that He is. He said, "Whatever you do (or do not do) for those who are hungry, thirsty, without clothing, sick and imprisoned, you do (or do not do) for Him.

You may ask how a Christian can be devoted to social justice. I ask, how could we do otherwise?