Social Justice v Biblical Justice.

What is modern day social Justice?

Oxford Dictionary

social Justice

Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

"individuality gives way to the struggle for social justice”

Modern social Justice, removes individual identity and replaces it with the rights of Groups. It not only calls for the equality in opportunity, but equality in outcomes, or Equity.

Social Justice, is a forced redistribution of advantages, resources and outcomes to Groups considered minorities or Groups considered oppressed.

one statement describing social Justice, is that:

“… social justice is both a process and a goal. The goal of social justice is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society in which the distribution of resources is equitable and all members are psychologically and physically safe and secure.”

now some of that sounds pretty good. however for us this Should ring some Alarm bells, especially the words “ALL GROUPS”

Modern Social justice, has Many ideas and principals that are contrary and opposing to the Word of God, and what we believe as Christians.

just a few examples of those groups steeped in the social justice movement are, The BLM movement, Feminism and Women’s Rights, including the rights to abortion. The Redistribution of Wealth and power and the approval and encouragement of of LGBT+ movement.

(now we covered some of this last month, so were going to try and avoid it tonight)

Equity, is one of the Big Principal, of social justice.

Equity, goes beyond equal opportunity, and redistributes opportunities based on group representation.

it is Described as DIVERSITY.

put by one writer.

“Having a variety of racial, sexual, gender, class, religious, ethnic, abled, and other social identities represented in a space, community, institution, or society.”

again this sounds pretty good and in some circumstances may be needed.

However this is no longer based on merit but on voice!

One example would be a college setting racial ratios, or sexual ratios, on its student applications for a nursing course, instead of it being based on performance and grades. An “A” grade student would miss out on a place, in preference to a “C” grade student who was part of one of these minority or oppressed groups.

So What is Biblical Justice?

We Know as Christians that God, Being Holly, and righteous, Demands Justice.

Gods Justice Demands punishment for Sin,

for us Gods Justice is Hell.

Without this principal, an understanding of our own Sin, and how grievous and serious it is to God. We cannot truly understand Gods Grace, through what Christ Accomplished on the Cross.

Leviticus 19:15 NIV

“ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

biblical justice holds to the the idea of equality, that regardless of who you are your skin color or your background you are treated the same.

So at the foundation of Biblical Justice, is that a one receives what the justly deserves.

So what Does Biblical “social Justice” look like

World Vision describe “social Justice” as:

“From a scriptural point of view, justice means loving our neighbor as we love ourselves and is rooted in the character and nature of God. As God is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love”

all throughout the old and the new testaments we can see the Banner of Biblical Social Justice being waved.

i like how this verse in proverbs contributes.

Proverbs 31:8–9 NIV

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

as Christians, we are called to this, and called to so much more, to look after the sick the widow, and those in need.

i see several defining differences between biblical social Justice, and worldly social Justice.

Worldly Social Justice.

1. Firstly and most importantly worldly Social Justice ignores the righteousness and holiness of God. This ignores the idea of Gods Boundaries on Sin, and makes all causes and all groups inclusive and acceptable.

2. worldly social Justice ignores the individual, and the responsibilities of the individual before God.

Biblical Social Justice

1. Biblical Social Justice, Begins with an understanding of our own sin.

2.Biblical Social Justice Comes out of a heart attitude of love and gratitude to God, Followed by obedience to the word of God.

So the questions to discuss, are personally and locally how have we and do we see the social Justice movement.

and

How can we as individuals and a Church, Better be obedient to Gods Word, and practice Biblical Social Justice here locally.