Every Christian leader I’ve learned from has eventually taught about spiritual maturity. Although the formation of doctrine is a vital part of our growing faith, church leaders rarely value the formation of Christian theology on social justice, despite the fact we live within the world, and among its people and systems. How, then, do we form a mature Christian view of social justice? Note: In this article I will be using the term social justice to refer to the ideal... Read more
Although the topic of justice might appeal to some Christians, many others avoid engaging in anything with the term “social justice” connected to it. In fact, especially in the evangelical circles I’ve spent most of my life in, these terms have been pitted against each other: Biblical justice vs. social justice, as if one is other righteous and holy while the other is inherently bad. If we want Christians to engage in the work of justice, we need to address... Read more
Why do we talk about the flourishing of all people and things when we talk about justice? As this column is called “Flourishing Faith and Justice” it seems relevant to share why we use the term flourishing and what it has to do with the Hebrew word, shalom. A Flourishing Garden As I frequently do during the first part of our prayer gathering, I had snuck off into another room of the building to write in my journal. After a... Read more
Annually, my family and I go on a road trip that we call a “Kindness Quest,” where we make our vacation kind. Even though kindness and justice aren’t typically perceived as being in the same wheelhouse, spending day-after-day practicing intentional acts of kindness has made me consider the overlap between these two values. Is it possible that kindness and justice are the same thing? The Kindness Quest On the Kindness Quest I teach my kids about loving others and how... Read more
It was a typical sunny Southern California day, but the full-leafed trees in various hues of vibrant green shaded the path along the stream. Although it was actually a horse trail, I didn’t see any of the majestic beasts as I shared with my hiking partner about my current writing projects. Flourishing Faith and Justice here at Patheos was one of these. That was when she asked the question that I knew would become the thesis of this column: “Elisa,... Read more
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