Biblical Justice, Social Justice, Black Lives Matter

[Bootstrap]

Could someone help me understand the biblical argument against standing up against injustice?

I'm trying to follow the biblical argument here.

In the Old Testament, prophets frequently sought justice on behalf of other people. Think of Nathan confronting King David. A lot of the prophets confronted kings on behalf of the poor. Of course, that didn't always work out well for the prophet, kings have a lot of power, but confronting authorities on behalf of the poor and the oppressed was a significant part of what Old Testament prophets did. The other two major themes were whoring after other gods and general sinfulness. Together, those three themes define much of what Old Testament prophets talked about.

Jesus protected the woman caught in adultery from being stoned and intervened on behalf of various people who were looked down on in their society. Paul boldly confronted Peter on behalf of the Gentiles. In the New Testament, when apostles stood up to authorities, it was generally on behalf of the Gospel. Paul also used his status as a Roman citizen to avoid being mistreated by Roman authorities, the apostles ignored commands to not preach the Gospel. But I don't see a prohibition of doing that kind of thing on behalf of someone who is oppressed or a victim of injustice. I also don't see any indication that this was something they did much.

I see real danger of being distracted from the Gospel itself when we get involved in political causes, and I think it is also important to consider how we get involved. But I think that same danger is present on either side of these issues. If your main point was that you don't want to get involved on either side of worldly politics or that you want to avoid unintentionally supporting ugly factions on any side of this issue, I would understand that. To me, it can sometimes feel like some people want to strongly denounce people who are standing up for the rights of others and implying that they have nothing to be upset about. Or even denouncing black people in America with ugly stereotypes. That's just as politically involved.

I know people who think of Christians as haters. A lot of that comes from politically entangled, emotional denunciations that imply some people have no value or should be silenced. And I have heard that from Christians too. I certainly understand Christians who simply want to refrain from all worldly politics, not getting involved in these issues at all. Personally, I am trying to understand whether and how I should be involved. I suspect there may be a way. I don't know what it is. So far, it's leading a Bible study that is very close to the text.

[RZehr]

Vengeance is mine, I will repay sayeth the Lord

[JimFoxvog]

Vengeance is mine, I will repay sayeth the Lord

This is important about not taking vengeance. It's something I think we Anabaptists understand better than some other groups. However, it says nothing about speaking out against evil, which is done by God's people in both the Old and New Testaments.

[barnhart]

Could someone help me understand the biblical argument against standing up against injustice?

I think a common understanding among Mennonites is a standoff relationship with government. This is rapidly deteriorating with the influx of conservative talk radio and christian radio in the 80's and 90's. The "deal" being struck with government is I will leave you alone (I will not vote nor criticize your governance) and in return I expect to be able to live my convictions with little or no backlash. What is replacing this, I don't know.

[Josh]

Could someone help me understand the biblical argument against standing up against injustice?

I think a common understanding among Mennonites is a standoff relationship with government. This is rapidly deteriorating with the influx of conservative talk radio and christian radio in the 80's and 90's. The "deal" being struck with government is I will leave you alone (I will not vote nor criticize your governance) and in return I expect to be able to live my convictions with little or no backlash. What is replacing this, I don't know.

Yet another clear reason why the Lord has led communities of sincere believers to ban the radio.

[RZehr]

I think a common understanding among Mennonites is a standoff relationship with government. This is rapidly deteriorating with the influx of conservative talk radio and christian radio in the 80's and 90's. The "deal" being struck with government is I will leave you alone (I will not vote nor criticize your governance) and in return I expect to be able to live my convictions with little or no backlash. What is replacing this, I don't know.

I don’t see anyone listening to talk radio. I agree that we do have sort of standoff relationship with the government, but I don’t see that as some sort of pragmatic deal making. I’ve never heard the idea that this is some sort of agreement between us and the government. It would be easier to dabble in it. We actually don’t get involved because we believe we should have no part of it, and we pray to God for the government instead.
Expect to live out convictions with little or no backlash? I don’t remember ever hearing that suggested. It is much more common to be warned that the peace we are currently being afforded by the US government has a likely expiration date, and not to expect take freedom for granted. I doubt there is any in our churches that look to the 1st Amendment as a guarantor of much.

[Wade]

Could someone help me understand the biblical argument against standing up against injustice?

I think a common understanding among Mennonites is a standoff relationship with government. This is rapidly deteriorating with the influx of conservative talk radio and christian radio in the 80's and 90's. The "deal" being struck with government is I will leave you alone (I will not vote nor criticize your governance) and in return I expect to be able to live my convictions with little or no backlash. What is replacing this, I don't know.

Yet another clear reason why the Lord has led communities of sincere believers to ban the radio.

It seems very clear. I wish people that do listen to the radio could see this and how the ingesting of it causes a redefining of things away from a biblical understanding.

[joshuabgood]

Now if they would just ban the internet...well at least one has. Hello, Appalachia Mennonite Church. Our Easterned th Easterns.

I respect them btw though I am in a little different place re internet.

[ken_sylvania]

Now if they would just ban the internet...well at least one has. Hello, Appalachia Mennonite Church. Our Easterned th Easterns.

I respect them btw though I am in a little different place re internet.

Good thing you mentioned it. I wouldn't have guessed it from the previous sentence.

[Josh]

Now if they would just ban the internet...well at least one has. Hello, Appalachia Mennonite Church. Our Easterned th Easterns.

I respect them btw though I am in a little different place re internet.

More accurately, Eastern never started allowing Internet use - but some of their more powerful bishops just started using it anyway for business use. The split is composed of members who want to, you know, actually abide by the membership standards they agreed to and haven’t voted to change.