Today, I published an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution titled, "Fox's Beck Should Quit Preaching." The article centers in on Glenn Beck's recent comments about socially conscious Christians:
Glenn Beck, a popular conservative and Fox News television personality, is famous for sounding political alarms and giving teary-eyed chalkboard lessons. Most often, his bizarre lectures are aimed at political liberals.
Last week, however, Beck fixed his sights on a new target: socially conscious Christians.
On his radio show, the host told his churchgoing followers to comb their church Web sites for the terms “social justice” or “economic justice.”
“If you find it, run as fast as you can ... Now, am I advising people to leave their church? Yes!” Beck said.
Many churches and Christians use “social justice” to describe ministries to the poor, oppressed and suffering. Beck calls this term a “code word” for Communism and Nazism.
Later, on his Fox News television broadcast, he held up two cards — one bearing a Nazi swastika and the other, a Soviet hammer and sickle.
I contend that Beck's statements fall flat on at least two major points. First, they ignore the Bible's clear teachings and fly in the face of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Second, they fail to make the important distinction between "social justice" and "socialism." These things are not the same.
Beck's blunder has incited criticism from prominent Catholic and Christian leaders. In Defense of Catholics, Joe Carter of First Things came out swinging: "He is too prone to say any dumb thing that pops into his head and too ignorant about history and religion to truly understand the implications of his statement." Jim Wallis of Sojourners led the Christian Left in calling for a boycott of Beck's program. On the right, conservative theologian Albert Mohler offered a carefully worded rebuttal. Even a few leaders of the so-called "Religious Right" had words for Beck. Richard Land of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, for example, responded sternly in the National Post.
Take a minute to read my AJC column and then let me know your take.
Order a copy of my new book, Green Like God
Big Daddy Weave said:
Joe Carter is actually a Southern Baptist. No idea where he goes to church but I've read Carter describe himself as Baptist on the First Things blog.
Posted: March 17, 2010
Jonathan Merritt said:
Big Daddy Weave,
I've tweaked the wording above to be more accurate. Thanks for your eyes on this.
Jonathan
Posted: March 18, 2010
Deb said:
I think you strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel.
Social justice through political solutions (especially when it is not achieved "by the consent of the governed") has long been something I personally find objectionable when advocated by some in the Christian community. I believe _that_ is what Beck is referring to.
Christ did not come as a political savior. It's hard to argue with the idea that charity begins with me, begins at home, and cannot be mandated by the government. It is a gift from God received by and freely given again by those who love Him.
Posted: March 18, 2010
Phillip said:
I think social justice is another trend in the church today. Will it stand the test of time? No. 20 years ago you never heard of it. Id say there are more important things to do with your time than worry about what others are saying of your "social justice." get back to work in the local church and do what is actually told of us in the great commission and stop whining about a radio host.
Posted from my iPhone
Posted: March 18, 2010
Leslie said:
The minute Beck mentioned the Christian church, he took himself out of the political realm and into the theological. Our country separates the two.
Jonathan accurately speaks for the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Whether or not social justice is something to be legislated through politics, it does have profound roots and meaning within Christianity.
Posted: March 18, 2010
Deb said:
O'Reilly queried Beck about this tonight on his show (3/18). Neither of the pair makes a secret about their religious affiliation (O'Reilly Catholic, Beck Mormon). You can check it out for yourself but Beck gave exactly the explanation I mentioned above. "Liberation theology" was also mentioned in the interview, a quasi-theological-political view I found as questionable 30 years ago when I lived in South America as I do today.
The concepts of social justice and liberation theology are creations of modern man and have little to do, IMO, with Christ's ministry or teaching.
Separation of church and state is a Jeffersonian concept, but with the 1st amendment, establishment and free exercise (of religion) clauses -- are meant to protect the free exercise of conscience and religion from the state. Beck shouldn't have to surrender his first amendment rights .
Posted: March 18, 2010
Rocky said:
Dear Mr Merritt,
After reading your opening comments regarding Glenn Beck's stance on 'social justice", it seems "you too" have stumbled along the path of Christianity. The sour choice of words you used to describe Glenn are not from the teachings of the "life and ministry of Jesus Christ"
Words such as "teary eyed' chalkboard lesson", "bizarre lectures", "Beck's blunder". You even posted quotes of other theological commentators who used words such as "ignorant" and "stupid".
These words are degrading and sarcastic.
Is it not written in James 4:11 ?
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge."
Do you claim to be a "judge" Mr. Merritt?
God bless you and
Laus Deo !
Rocky
Posted: March 18, 2010
Steve Walker said:
I did not hear Beck's rant so I defer to your take on it for the most part. But I was in college in the 1980's at the peak of the "liberation theology" movement, Contra wars in Nicaragua and the revolution in El Salvador. Believe me, in that sense Beck is correct - social justice was a code phrase for anti-American and anti-Reagan religious left leaders with a political agenda. Lots of impressionable misguided collge students were taken in by the "social justice" terminology, much like their parents 20 years earlier in the '60's peace movement.
Posted: March 19, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
Last fall I reluctantly stopped attending a church I had joined last spring for the very reason Beck laid out so he just affirmed my prayerful decision. You need to understand the difference between the "Social Justice" preached by Marxists like Jim Wallis, Van Jones and Barack Obama and the true Social Justice preached by Jesus and his true disciples. Jesus and his true disciples urged people to VOLUNTARILY give their OWN money and efforts to help the poor and downtrodden. Wallis, Jones and Obama support taking money by force of government backed up by threat of jail or fines from unwilling people. Jesus said he came to bring the truth to set us free. Wallis, Van Jones, and Obama deal in lies. Makes you wonder who they ultimately serve, does it not?
Posted: March 19, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
"Leslie said:
The minute Beck mentioned the Christian church, he took himself out of the political realm and into the theological. Our country separates the two. "
Please read the Constitution Leslie and overcome your ignorane. The US Constitution does not seperate the two. It prohibits the Federal govt from interfering in religion. Religion influencing people in how they vote or act in office is simply nowhere to be found. As the tshirt I have that Jonathan complimented me on once says - the Constitution protects Freedom OF Religion NOT Freedom FROM Religion.
Posted: March 19, 2010
Steve Walker said:
Mr. Beahan is correct. In my list of offenders from the 1980's I should have also listed Jim Wallis and Sojourners Magazine. Like Jimmy Carter, they always had warm and fuzzy feelings for butcherous dictators.
Posted: March 20, 2010
Bill Beahab said:
From your AJC article:
"Last week, however, Beck fixed his sights on a new target: socially conscious Christians."
As a born again Christian myself, I am outraged by this gross misrepresentation of what Beck actually said. Did you see the show or are you relying on unreliable sources such as the Lame-stream media. He singled out the Jim Wallis "social justice" crowd that use "social justice" as a tool to subvert the true purpose of the church which is to win souls for Jesus Christ and turn it to the Left. Socially conscious is when I take a pay cut to bring my skills to the IT staff of a national charity, when I tithe and contribute to my church voluntarily (according to the laws of man) so they can help people with their spiritual and physical needs. when I donate to other charities.
Posted: March 20, 2010
Rob Gonzalez said:
You have Beck all wrong. He is not asking individuals to stop giving and helping poor people. He is against churches using the power of government to force giving through taxes and legislation, all in the name of "social justice". Jesus never forced people to give and help. It is an individual choice. The more you take from people in the name of "social justice", the closer you get to a socialist society. It is a tool of anti-capitalist, big government, know-it-all elites. Progressives, Nazi's, and Communists all used the idea of Social Justice to kill millions of people. That is the real history of "forced" social justice.
Posted: March 21, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
I find the lack of response by the host interesting.
Posted: March 25, 2010
Laura said:
I think it is interesting that you stopped your quote right before Beck mentioned that "if you go to Jeremiah Right's church, show you leave? Yes!"
I watched his show that day, as I do many days. I grew up in a Southern Baptist home and my parents taught me the importance of charity. Beck's comments have to do with government control. Do I believe in charity and caring for the poor? Yes. Do I believe it's the government's responsibility to carry it out? Absolutely not! Jesus taught that we should be charitable. Beck believes as I do that it is our responsibility to be charitable. That is what we should do. That being said, it is overreaching the governments authority to make us be charitable. It's not charity if they stick their hand in my pocket and take it. It's theft.
I am wary of the phrase "social justice" because it implies a more forceful form of charity. It does not mean that we should care for the poor. It implies that we must somehow level the playing field...or in the worlds of our President "spread the wealth around." I have a problem with that. While the Bible teaches us to be charitable, it also teaches us personal responsibility.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teachings you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
Posted: March 25, 2010
Jonathan Merritt said:
Bill,
I don't need to respond with my view. I already published my view. I've said all I have to say.
Best,
Jm
Posted: March 25, 2010
Rocky said:
Mr. Merritt,
I'm curious. How did you get your view published in that newspaper? Is it possible to get our "civil" responses to "your view" published in that newspaper also?
It seems only fair, don't you agree?
Have a nice weekend and God bless,
Rocky
Posted: March 26, 2010
Jonathan Merritt said:
Rocky,
I am a regular opinion columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I am sure it is possible for others to respond to columns published by the paper, but I don't know the procedure. Look for a "Letters to the Editor" link on www.ajc.com. I am sure they offer space to Georgia residents primarily.
Best,
Jm
Posted: March 26, 2010
CJ said:
JM,
Does Beck's follow up on 3/23 affect your view or opinion of his treatment of "social justice" from his 3/16 segment? If so, I am curious if you still find yourself at odds with his definition of social justice and treatment of Scripture.
I don't watch Beck, but I was able to find his follow up at this youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9clRzX1aWrk&f
Thanks,
CJ
Posted: March 27, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
"Bill,
I don't need to respond with my view. I already published my view. I've said all I have to say.
Best,
Jm"
I take it then that you stand behind your smear of Beck?
When it comes to Wallis vs Beck, I find it interesting that Beck uses not just quotes from Wallis, but actual audio of Wallis speaking while Wallis snips parts of sentences whih he then twists so that he is claiming Beck meant something he did not.
Posted: March 28, 2010
Jonathan Merritt said:
Bill,
Do you always look to Mormons for theology lectures? Are you really letting someone who believes Jesus came to North America following the ascension teach you about the "meaning of the Gospel?"
As I've said, I already published my opinion on the matter. There are over a thousand verses in the Bible that teach about justice. Compare that to 90 on sex. The Bible's overwhelming stance is that those who follow God will advocate for justice and fight injustice, both individually and systemically.
My stance is that Glenn Beck is an ideologue who is unqualified to be lecturing other Christians on the meaning of our scriptures or the definition of the word "Gospel." I am grieved by people like yourself who somehow find more in common with a devoted follower of a cultic offshoot of Christianity than a committed follower of Jesus Christ with whom you might have theological and political differences.
Jm
Posted: March 28, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
"There are over a thousand verses in the Bible that teach about justice."
Please show me one place where the Bible mentions "Social Justice"?
Please show me one place in the Bible where taking goods or money by force of government from someone to help someone else is condoned?
"Social Justice" as pushed by Marxists such as Jim Wallis, Van Jones or Barack Obama is a perversion of the justice the Bible teaches us about.
Glen Beck would decrease the oppression of the government while Obama (with the the support of Wallis and Van Jones) is increasing it. Jesus said that one of the things he came for was to free the oppressed.
Posted: April 1, 2010
saintrage said:
Phil: I was raised in a church, but I don't attend now. I personally remember social justice being a pillar of my church in the 1960's. Using mathemetics, I calculate that as being between 40 and 50 years ago. Either one of these numbers are greater than 20. Maybe it just wasn't taught in the church that you attended. Furthermore, any idea that has been a part of civil society for more than two thousand years has already withstood the "test of time".
Rocky: the link is letters@ajc.com. Your comments will be printed at the discretion of the editor.
Jonathan: I find it sad that so many of your readers are taken aback by the idea of justice. (Yes, I hear some of you howling now, but justice IS what you seem to be opposed to.) Jonathan, I am thankful that you take on the difficult discussions that need to be had.
Posted: April 8, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
Saintrage: Please do not twist our words to say and mean what we did not say and mean. Serious study will easily reveal that the social "justice" advocated by such committed Marxists as Jim Wallis, Rev. Wright, Van Jones, and Mr. Obama is not only different but opposed to the justice taught by Christ in the bible. Marxism and Christianity do not mix well as they serve seperate masters.
Posted: April 9, 2010
Dave said:
Wow, all this anger here is exactly why I left the church 30 years ago...Jonathan is exactly right. Thanks be to God that a year ago I came back to a church that blieves in Social Justice, and there's nothing Marxist about it. BTW, the Bible says if you have two cloaks, you should give one to the poor and keep ONE for youself. That's socials justice----anyone out there have more than one cloak?
Posted: April 10, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
Dave:
BTW, the Bible says if you have two cloaks, you should give one to the poor and keep ONE for youself.
Bill:
It does not say that you should steal one from someone who has 2 to give away. Theft for a good cause is still theft and it is wrong.
Posted: April 10, 2010
Rocky said:
Dave said:
Wow, all this anger here is exactly why I left the church 30 years ago...
Dave,
It's kinda ironic that your comment seems to be directed to the people who had a response to Mr. Merritt's original topic. I have no anger here and I haven't seen any apparent signs of anger in the others. The only text that might remotely display "anger" is in the body of Mr. Merritt's original article regarding Glenn Beck.
Mr. Merritt wrote:
As a socially conscious Christian myself, I am outraged by this gross misrepresentation of our faith. Is he aware of the prophet Isaiah’s command to “seek justice” and “correct oppression”?
With that said, I can surmise that you might have left the church 30 years ago based on a different reason. However, I'm glad you found your way back.
God bless
Posted: April 12, 2010
Bill Beahan said:
Stu Burguiere is executive producer of The Glenn Beck Program. He has written a colomn in the Washington Post on this which helps expose Jim Wallis' lies:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/g
It is an interesting and informative read.
Posted: April 16, 2010
Rocky said:
Mr. Beahan
Though I'm not a huge fan of the bias left Washington Post, it was refreshing to see that article there. Thanks for posting. Maybe now, Mr. Merritt will rescind some of his negative comments regarding the topic of "social justice" in the context that Glenn Beck was referring (but I won't hold my breath lol).
It's a nice temperature outside, have a good day.
Posted: April 16, 2010