“From ancient times onward, every movement for social justice has been charged with misunderstanding Jesus’ true intentions.” - Peter Gomes, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What’s So Good About the Good News?
Sniffing out the work of God in the world…
“From ancient times onward, every movement for social justice has been charged with misunderstanding Jesus’ true intentions.” - Peter Gomes, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What’s So Good About the Good News?
Ain’t it the truth for our generation, though I feel great excitement over our kids’ generation. I think they’re not just hearing Jesus’s words—they’re GOING to where HE said to go, & they’re coming up with new & wonderful ways to serve a dying world. I pray so hard that The Spirit flaming in them now will only grow as they age, too.
If that does not mess with your head I do not know what would, If I knew where he was coming from I might even agree with him.
Do we aim at social justice, and build structures to codify it in the absence (or stuntedness) of just hearts? Or do we build disciples, and expect social justice to result from the mature disciple’s heart?
Do we preach an angry gospel toward political action, or do we work as salt and light to affirm and cultivate the justice that animated Jesus’ teachings?
I don’t ask the questions as if the alternatives were mutually exclusive, but rather as a matter of emphasis. In both cases, the former emphasizes building human social and political structures that may achieve some good things but end up leaving hearts relatively untouched and feeding angry resentments already festering for centuries; the latter in each case emphasizes the development of moral character that, if genuine, cannot help but result in a progressively just society.
Or maybe qb’s just blowing smoke.
qb
I’m confused by the quote. Mike, could you provide some context? Is the author saying social justice movements have been “charged” (as in accused of or empowered by) misunderstandings of Jesus? It makes a world of difference.
I would guess (based on the books title) that the social justice movements have been *accused of* misnderstanding Jesus. In other words, Jesus didn’t really mean to feed the poor, give your cloak and your tunic, walk two miles, turn the other cheek, etc.
Just a guess, though. I ordered the book today and should know soon but I bet Mike will answer before then.
And? And?
qb
Good post–just as Jeremiah Wright’s approach only inflames racial hatred [particularly among his own congregation]==those among the “white church” who dwell on the past misdeeds rather than growing disciples serve only make matters worse. People who have never participated in racism are tired of hearing the church lambasted and told that we are racist because there are still black churches and white churches.
It would appear that Paul’s approach was to teach the gospel and makes disciples and allow that to change the culture.
I feel that there are more accusations of racism today than exists. In particular in regards to white toward black. After hearing Jeremiah wright–perhaps a lot of black toward white. Of interest is the fact that in the U.S. [in the college setting at least] black students from different parts of the country will not associate with each other. At least that was observed where I used to teach.
qb, the streets and the struggle act to merge the two forces you seek to describe and to separate. In the midst of the real work we and Gomes has in mind, one cannot possibly keep the two apart. The trouble with the church as we have known it is that we have assumed that discipleship will always be proper, polite and respected and, for lack of a better word, “nice.” Ain’t so. Just ain’t so. The streets and the struggle make that impossible, unless of course we’re just playin’.
And by the way, on Rev Wright, here’s the question no one is asking: “How is it possible that black folks could believe some of the things he said? How could they take him seriously?” That is a question we need to ponder long and hard. The world is not as it seems to us. But we resent being questioned or maligned, don’t we? Is it possible that they heard him out because of what their own experiences had taught them about how things work?
While I wouldn’t have put things exactly like Rev Wright did, I do understand his thinking and his suspicions after watching how things actually work for the poor and for people of color. Isa. 10:1-4 comes to mind, as well as a host of other texts. Falwell and Robertson made ridiculous comments after 9/11 and McCain showed up in the former’s pulpit. Where was the outcry then?
Thanks for directed us to Pastor Gomes, Mike.
Sorry. Been away a few days. Yes, Chris. That’s correct. Start with “Mary’s Song” in Luke (1:46-55) and you’ll see why it’s such a scandal!