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    In the Christian Tradition, Another Boycott:  Wallis vs. Beck

    In the Christian Tradition, Another Boycott:  Wallis vs. Beck

    It all started last week when Fox News commentator Glenn Beck told people to leave any church that mentioned social or economic justice because they were just trying to preach a socialistic message.  Beck, a Mormon, seemingly ticked off Jim Wallis, president of the progressive Christian group Sojourners.  And the response... the very biblical "Christian Boycott".

    According to a CNN article:

    Wallis says Beck perverted Jesus' message when he urged Christians last week to leave churches that preach social and economic justice.

    Wallis says at least 20,000 people have already responded to his call to boycott Beck. He says Beck is confusing his personal philosophy with the Bible.

    "He wants us to leave our churches, but we should leave him," Wallis says of Beck. "When your political philosophy is to consistently favor the rich over the poor, you don't want to hear about economic justice."

    Wallis says he wants to go on Beck's show to challenge the contention that churches shouldn't preach economic and social justice.

    Social and economic justice is at the heart of Jesus' message, Wallis says.

    "He's afraid of being challenged on his silly caricatures," Wallis says. "Glenn Beck talks a lot when he doesn't have someone to dialogue with. Is he willing to talk with someone who he doesn't agree with?"

    I love the line that Glenn Beck talks a lot when he doesn't have someone to dialogue with.  Don't we all.  Don't we all.

    What do you think about Beck, Wallis, and this new boycott?

    Todd

    Here's the article

    Comments

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    1. CS on Tue, March 16, 2010

      Peter:

      “What you and many of us call �charity�, God seems to call �justice� for the poor in the OT. A quick romp through a Concordance and check the uses of that word bears that out.”

      Could you please provide an example, so I may learn?  I did a quick check through BLB and nothing jumped off of the screen at me.


      CS

    2. Peter Hamm on Tue, March 16, 2010

      CS

      Jeremiah 5, Jeremiah 21:11-13 is one of my favorites, Isaiah 58 (although the word “justice” is not used, I don’t think), I like Amos 5:11-13 a lot, too.

      There are others, of course.

      I think it’s dependent on your understanding of the word “justice”. If it’s merely criminals getting their due, it’s, imho, not a biblical understanding of it.

      Peter

    3. Richard on Tue, March 16, 2010

      Boycott, schmoycott.  How about Wallis organizing a prayer ministry for Beck and encouraging folks to watch his show…now that would be turning the other cheek.

    4. Jim B. on Tue, March 16, 2010

      Jesus’ teachings on justice did not, and do not, involve taking from someone without their consent.  Scripture calls that coveting and theft.  God loves a cheerful giver, but He certainly does not endorse arm twisting and taking by force.  Neither did our Founders.  They understood that “taxation had the power to destroy” (Justice John Marshall), so they did not have taxes on property, since ownership of property and the power to make one’s own decisions was part of respecting the rights of others.  Social justice isn’t what Obama and his minions want, they want the theft and redistribution of all that anyone has: healthcare, wealth, and even the right to determine what is appropriate speech and thought.  Freedom is not a part of what their idea of social justice includes. 

      Glenn Beck is absolutely right to point out the falacies of everyone who endorses the loss of our freedoms.  Included in the loss of these freedoms will also be the ability to preach the Gospel and to do evangelistic work.  It will be a short time until the Social Justice crowd of Obama and his followers find it “unhealthy” or not socially just to preach the Word.  And those who can’t see this will quickly find themselves being prosectued for hate speech by the government that is lying about being socially just.  Besides, who gives them the power to decide what is socially just?  They lie about healthcare and what’s in the bills, they lie about being honest in governement, they lie about not raising taxes, so why would anyone ever believe what that compulsive liar Obama and his ilk promote?

      In case you’re wondering, I’ve read the healthcare bills, and they are lying!  You will lose your healthcare choices, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will determine every medical proceedure you will be able to have, and they will ration care for everyone over 59 years of age.  It hasn’t worked in Britain, and it isn’t working in Canada.  Wake-up America!  There are ways to fix this system without destroying it.  I work within the system, and it terrifies me to see what they are about to do.  If your not concerned, then you’re not paying attention.

    5. sgillesp on Tue, March 16, 2010

      Jim B - Jesus was not in the least bit concerned about paying taxes and did not and would not call it theft.  It was the zealots who called it that.
      I’ll grant that we now live under an entirely different governmental system - of, by and for us - so, I hope you still have a copy of the similar statements you must have made during the Bush administration regarding the war in Iraq, which costs much more, was entered into under much more illusory justifications, and which many, many, many of your fellow countrymen did not agree should be prosecuted, but are paying for it anyway.
      And regarding charges of “lying,” I’m sure you understand that is a pretty accusation to make, especially on these pages.  I would love to see your proof.  (It is not ‘lying’ to say something will have this or that consequence, if you don’t believe it will work out that way.  As an example, I won’t say you’re lying when you accuse the current administration of aiming at taking away our right to preach or evangelize; I will say I think that is paranoid).

    6. Kent Anderson on Wed, March 17, 2010

      Hard to boycott something your never pay attention to.

    7. CS on Tue, March 23, 2010

      Peter:

      “Jeremiah 5, Jeremiah 21:11-13 is one of my favorites, Isaiah 58 (although the word “justice” is not used, I don’t think), I like Amos 5:11-13 a lot, too.”

      I looked up those verses and I didn’t see anything that meets the modern usage of, “social justice.”  I saw some that dealt with justice empirically, and some that dealt with caring for those in need, but nothing that said, “Justice is established by engaging in charity.”

      “I think it’s dependent on your understanding of the word “justice”. If it’s merely criminals getting their due, it’s, imho, not a biblical understanding of it.”“

      When we try to redefine words, things get ugly.  That’s why I used a dictionary definition which is in line with what the Bible says.  Justice is about the proper reward or punishment being given in righteousness.


      CS

    8. Peter Hamm on Tue, March 23, 2010

      Wow, CS, we’ll have to disagree.

      I think the people who are re-defining the word “justice” are those who make it merely about reward or punishment.

    9. CS on Tue, March 23, 2010

      Peter:

      “Wow, CS, we’ll have to disagree.”

      That’s unheard of!

      =)


      CS

    10. sgillesp on Tue, March 23, 2010

      The centerpiece needs to be “what is meant by ‘the kingdom of God’?” Before I studied that, I tended to see the Bible (and the gospel) in terms of an individual relationship with God and my individual destination (heaven).  But the kingdom of God (and study the word ‘shalom’!) is a much bigger concept and Jesus was drawing on deep roots when he used it.  When Jesus said, ‘as the Father has sent me, so send I you,’ he was commanding us to do more than be charitable to the poor person we know.  Especially as we have more power via our vote than Jesus’ contemporaries could have imagined, we have an obligation to confront systemic evil and injustice.

    11. CS on Tue, March 23, 2010

      sgillesp:

      “Especially as we have more power via our vote than Jesus’ contemporaries could have imagined, we have an obligation to confront systemic evil and injustice. “

      You’re right, but feeding people, clothing them, and giving them aid is not justice.  Justice would be taking oppressors to court and having them pay for their wrongdoings.


      CS

    12. sgillesp on Tue, March 23, 2010

      But it IS justice to add weight on the side of the sick against predatory insurance companies, for example.  To seek just systems, is to work for justice.

    13. CS on Tue, March 23, 2010

      “But it IS justice to add weight on the side of the sick against predatory insurance companies, for example.  To seek just systems, is to work for justice.”

      But that is an example of empirical justice, like I described.  A wrong has been committed, and the goal is to bring balance to the system and correct things.

      In contrast, if, in response to that injustice, all you did was set up a clinic to treat those who are ill, that action would not qualify as justice.  That would be goodwill and charity.


      CS

    14. sgillesp on Tue, March 23, 2010

      Actually, I’d say, that would be mercy.  And justice and mercy go hand in hand - to do one without the other is to miss half the work.

    15. Gerry on Tue, March 23, 2010

      For anyone who may still be interested, Beck played tape on his show today of Jim Wallis acknowledging that he is a Marxist.

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