Why Social Justice
Why Social Justice?
Why Social Justice?
Social justice has become a visible part of Christian conversation. More and more believers are attaching their faith to public causes, community concerns, and the wounds of the world. Sometimes that concern can become fashionable, especially in corners of Christianity that have learned how to turn almost anything into a statement. But often it comes from something deeper: people trying to make sense of their faith in a world where suffering is not theoretical.
But why?
Why is justice so deeply tied to the Christian faith?
When Jesus sent his followers into the world, he sent them to announce the good news of his kingdom. And kingdom is not just a religious word. It means the place where the King’s will is done. The place where the generous, healing, truthful leadership of Jesus is actually experienced.
That matters, because many people we hope to reach are not living in circumstances where the good news sounds good at first hearing. They are carrying the weight of poverty, racism, abuse, violence, displacement, exploitation, and systems that have treated them as disposable. For them, the problem is not that they are resistant to hope. The problem is that hope has often arrived without touching the thing that is crushing them.
Justice is what we do when we face that dissonance honestly.
Before we ask people to believe our good news, we may have to help remove some of the obstacles that make it hard for them to hear it as good. Not imaginary obstacles. Real ones. Heavy ones. The kind that sit on bodies, families, neighborhoods, histories, and futures.
Social justice is not just a buzzword. At its best, it is the down-and-dirty work of the kingdom of God.
So when Christians criticize justice as though it compromises the gospel, I wonder what world they have allowed themselves to see. Because once you have stood close enough to the suffering of others, the question changes.
It is no longer, “Why social justice?”
It is, “How could the gospel be good news without it?”
More Blog Posts By Malcolm du Plessis
The bible is a relay race from one generation to the next — and it is not a story of clean handoffs.
Social justice is trending in Christianity. Sometimes it becomes fashion. Often, it begins as conviction — people trying to make sense of faith in a wounded world.
“Jesus was not results driven. He was always focused on the process and never the outward performance. It is inconceivable to think of him reveling in big outcomes for the sake of influence.” (Malcolm du Plessis)
"We live in a world of leveraging - where people use their platforms and their privileges to get places and get things done." (Malcolm du Plessis)
"Four bible sentiments to consider when collaboration entails negotiating a business agreement." (Malcolm du Plessis)
"The sixties birthed the civil rights and the contemporary worship movements. Sadly, they have run on separate tracks ever since." (Malcolm du Plessis)
"I read this story many years ago. And have read it many times over the years. It has the same effect on me each time I review it." (Malcolm du Plessis)
“The book of John describes the incarnated Christ as being full of GRACE and TRUTH. Inextricably intertwined.” (Malcolm du Plessis)
Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
That less visible space, on the outskirts of Christendom, where unconventional and unlikely candidates do life and mission together in less-formal structures.
"I found this cutting many years ago. No doubt there are countless such stories throughout history. So much food for thought." (Malcolm du Plessis)
"In recent days, when I have listened to worship music, my historic convictions have been freshly reinforced." (Malcolm du Plessis)
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Bishop Tutu, let’s listen to Nontombi and Malcolm …
"It will quickly become obvious to you that Common Hymnal is multi-ethnic." (Malcolm du Plessis)
"Make contact with the rest of the team prior to the writing session, identifying a leader to set the stage and guide the team through potential challenges along the way.” (Malcolm du Plessis)
“This business is named “Music Publishing” because of the way that songs were publicized and monetized before the invention of the LP. Back in the day, songs were spread by being transcribed onto sheet music, and printed, promoted and sold by Music Publishers.” (Malcolm du Plessis)
"A friend recently made a tongue-in-cheek comment about the trending theology of contemporary worship: “God is great. And we are great."" (Malcolm du Plessis)
"It has felt, increasingly, like I moved from South Africa to South Africa, excepting, in my old South Africa, we knew we had a problem." (Malcolm du Plessis)
“We live in a consumer society, in a culture of big, loud, and fast brands, where production and performance rule. It is very tempting to want to harness these elements of cultural influence to accomplish the work of God.” (Malcolm du Plessis)