The False Dichotomy of Gospel Preaching and Social Justice

In this brief post I’d like to suggest that some evangelical Christians have created a false dichotomy, pitting “preaching the gospel” against “social justice.”  Some evangelical Christians believe that activism, advocacy, and justice work is an add on to preaching the Good News of salvation.  Verbally proclaiming the gospel in sermon and witness takes priority over acting justly toward those with whom we share the Good News.  Here is a quote from the president of a Christian college who argues for this dichotomy,

St. Francis famously exhorted, ‘Preach the gospel at all times.  Use words if necessary.’  We know what this aphorism was designed to stress: the importance of the ‘adorning’ role of our deeds (Titus 2:10).  But were we to press the saying literally, it would be false.  The gospel is inherently a verbal thing.  It requires verbal expression.  Social action can never take its place.
    At [Christian College] we are striving to keep in mind it is this proclaimed gospel that is ‘the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes’ (Rom. 1:16), not our social action.  We view justice and compassion ministries as buttressing our gospel witness, not replacing it.

In our culture academic and public intellectuals have been attacking the efficacy of language to convey truth claims for some time.  It is appropriate that the president of a Christian college would react against that trend.  Christianity makes truth claims using language.  The Good News is Christianity’s most precious truth claim.  And Christians rightly should defend its validity.  But should Christians contrast verbal proclamation with physical charity?  The Good News “requires verbal expression,” yes.  But does it not require actions of justice and compassion?

Christians are familiar with John the Baptist, who while in prison wondered about Jesus’ ministry.  The Gospel of Matthew says,

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

It is impossible to imagine Jesus only verbally proclaiming the gospel.  It would be as if our Lord’s Prayer went simply, “Thy will be done” and neglected to add “on earth as it is in heaven.”  But that was not how the Prayer was prayed by Jesus.  He said, “Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  Jesus began his ministry by going to “Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God, is at hand; repent and believe in the  gospel.’”  Can you imagine a verbal-only kingdom?  A kingdom with only benevolent words and no charitable deeds?  Or can you imagine a verbal-only law?  A legal code without enforcement?

Yes, the gospel requires verbal proclamation.  Inherent also in the gospel are acts of justice and compassion.  Such charity does not buttress the gospel.  Justice and compassion do not “support” or “defend” the truth claims of the gospel.  Acts of justice and compassion are part of the truth claims of the gospel.  As surely as the gospel proclamation is incomplete without verbal expression, so too is the gospel deficient without actions of justice and compassion.

Comments

[Nina Ruth]

I liked the Rick & Kay Warren link...but I think YOU did a great job in expressing yourself on the issue of social justice (not being an "add-on") as well!!!! Keep it up! You have something to say!