Social Justice

It’s a tired trope that evangelicals only recently began caring about “social justice,” a buzzword that carries connotations of political activism and “the social gospel.” In fact, orthodox Christians have long recognized in Scripture a call to defend and uphold the dignity and well being of all persons, especially the poor and powerless. Take, for example, John Wesley, who led prison reform and abolitionists movements in 18th-century England. More recently, evangelical leaders like Ron Sider and Jim Wallis have promoted Christian engagement in anti-war, environmental, and immigration causes, while facing suspicion of falling prey to partisan politics. At the local church level, sex trafficking, fair trade, and clean water campaigns are trendy ways today for lay Christians to fight social ills, even if that means simply clicking a “Like” button.

Featured Articles

Carl Henry Was Right
Carl Henry Was Right
Christianity Today's first editor grasped what I as a young theologian failed to understand about church involvement in social justice.
Compassionate Evangelicalism
Compassionate Evangelicalism
How a document conceived 30 years ago has prompted us to care more about 'the least of these.
Signs of the End Times
Signs of the End Times
Our pursuit of justice in the present foreshadows the perfect justice of an age to come.