A couple weeks ago, John MacArthur and others issued “The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel.” It was controversial and stirred some pots. The statement covered 14 different subjects, and there were things I liked. But the overall theme was that Christians should focus on sharing the Gospel, rather than laboring for social justice.
If you’re familiar with John MacArthur, then you probably know that he’s never wrong. Just ask him. He’s got it all figured out. And he has determined that working for social justice, while commendable, isn’t ultimately important, so don’t focus your time there.
We can all point to sayings, principles, teachings, etc. that have guided us for many years–maybe a pithy saying learned from a parent, or a youth pastor, or from a book. I can point to several such guiding principles in my life. One came from Chuck Colson, from a message I heard him give in 1985 at a conference in Washington D.C. It was during the Moral Majority’s heyday, when the only thing that mattered (according to James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and others) was fighting abortion.
Colson said he’d been criticized for not joining the fight against abortion. But his thing was prison ministry. He said God gives different people different passions and burdens. We shouldn’t expect everyone to share our particular passions. He cared about abortion, but that’s not what God called him to. There are things you’re passionate about, but I’m not, and vice versa. That’s okay.
I don’t think John MacArthur understands that. God has given numerous people a burden for issues of social justice–the poor, hunger, race relations, refugees, prison reform, human trafficking, income inequality, etc. (lots and lots of issues in this area, most of which many Republicans dismiss as “liberal” for some stupid reason). MacArthur implies that the goal should always be to bring salvation to people. So, if I may put words in his mouth, you help people as a way to get their attention so you can share the Four Spiritual Laws.
Is it not okay to feed a hungry child, not because he’s unsaved, but because he’s hungry?
Is it not okay to heal the sick, just because they are sick?
The United Brethren Discipline instructs members, “Take care not to despise each other’s gifts (Romans 12:3-8).” While this passage specifically talks about spiritual gifts, for me, the principle also applies to the burdens and passions God gives to people. Don’t look down on what somebody else has been called to do. Respect and honor their obedience, even if God has called you to something totally different.
God has given many people (including me) a burden for issues involving social justice, or the “social gospel.” It may or may not involve overt evangelism. What it does involve is faithfulness.
