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I have noticed some evangelicals availing themselves of the riches of the Catholic tradition of social thought on these issues. They have become experts on Catholic social thought and have integrated it into their own teaching . The clash of orthodoxies has united Catholics and evangelicals in a marvelous way. Catholics have learned a great deal from their evangelical friends about the power of Scripture to speak to the heart of the believer; evangelicals have gained from Catholics an appreciation of the value of philosophical reflection and "natural law" arguments in debating contested moral issues in the public square.

Are there risks that we Christians run when working for justice, human rights, and the common good?

I'm always concerned that we would get another wave of what sometimes is called pietism or quietism, where out of frustration with the failure to achieve some elements of justice and the common good, there might be a collapse back into the view that we should just take care of ourselves, practice our faith in our churches, and turn over the world of politics to the secularists. So I would strongly encourage all Christians to avoid any temptation to go in that direction.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous Christianity Today articles from the Christian Vision Project include:

A New Kind of Urban Christian | As the city goes, so goes the culture. By Tim Keller (June 9, 2006)

The Conservative Humanist | Those who are pro-life and pro-family should have no problem being pro-human. By Glenn Stanton. (April 21, 2006)

Loving the Storm-Drenched | We can no more change the culture than we can the weather. Fortunately, we've got more important things to do. By Frederica Mathewes-Green (March 3, 2006)

Habits of Highly Effective Justice Workers | Should we protest the system or invest in a life? Yes. By Rodolpho Carrasco (Feb. 3, 2006)

How the Kingdom Comes | The church becomes countercultural by sinking its roots ever deeper into God's heavenly gifts. By Michael S. Horton (Jan. 13, 2006)

Inside CT
Better Than a Cigar | Introducing the Christian Vision Project. By David Neff (Jan. 13, 2006)

More CVP articles from our sister publications are available on ChristianVisionProject.com. Also check out the Christian Vision Project's new video documentary, Intersect|Culture. The videos take you into the stories of ordinary believers who, by faith, changed their communities. The set includes a DVD with 6 videos and coordinating group curriculum.

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