Evangelicalism and Social Movements

Stuart Buck points to an interesting post and discussion about Evangelicalism and social justice movements.  The question from Mark Schmitt was:

The right question, I think, is not whether religion has an undue influence, but why it is that the current flourishing of religious faith has, for the first time ever, virtually no element of social justice?(emphasis in original)

Building off the work of Robert Fogel doesn't strike me as such a great idea in this setting, but that is nonetheless from where he starts.  Read the whole thing and the comments - they are interesting, generally not raving, and thought provoking. 

But I also think they are wrong - in the question asked and the answer provided.

Wrong primarily in the sense that they want religion to conform to their expectations - Schmitt and most of the commenters think that Christianity should be fundamentally about transforming social structures.  It isn't - at least not primarily.  Primarily, its about worshiping God.  This should take more time to explicate, but my view is fundamentally formed by the Westminster Catechism, Question 1:

Q:  What is the chief end of man (humanity)?

A:  Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever?

This doesn't preclude social justice movements or activities, by no means, all Christians are called to these activities - to care for the widow, to love mercy - but Christianity is not primarily about the amelioration of poverty on this Earth. 

Strictly speaking, Schmitt states that there was 'virtually no element of social justice.'  This I think is inaccurate.  Abortion was cited in the comments, but people don't like to think about that as social justice.  But what do you make of World Vision, Samaritan's Purse, International Justice Mission and orthers?  And what (no time to find a link) that giving from Evangelicals is considerably higher than the general population?  Is this just working in the system?

Stuart Buck provides criticism to a commenter claiming that there is little call to self-sacrifice in Evangelicalism, which he points out is incorrect.  Might I add the story of Jim Elliot to Stuart's list?  Or doesn't that count because it isn't primarily about social justice but evangelism?  But this would illustrate part of my criticism of Schmitt his expectations regarding Christianity and its unwillingness to exclude the spiritual and temporal things.

All of that said, I still think Evangelicalism has adopted too much of American culture in its approach - Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, Jerry Falwell, being excellent examples of that tendency, but we also reach beyond that - talk to a few of us, we might surprise you. 

Comments

[G.J.]

What about "NeoCalvinism," which is very socially concerned?

FYI, we're Reaching beyond "all that" and surprising folks at
http://www.newpantagruel.com -- dop in some time.

+G.J.