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<\/div>\n

The question comes to me as to why I think it is that we so often see sin most systemically in the urban<\/span> context. Good question. Here are my thoughts:<\/p>\n

Because the operative word for defining systemic sin is \u201csocial<\/span> justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because, when we define \u201cjustice\u201d in general terms and \u201csocial justice\u201d in sociological terms, we bifurcate the two and see the biggest problems in the urban context. This is a mistake.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why: the word \u201cjustice\u201d is no different than \u201csocial justice\u201d in biblical categories \u2014 just run your eyes quickly through Exodus or Deuteronomy or the prophets (and don\u2019t just go to Micah\u2019s famous text). There you learn that \u201cjustice\u201d refers to \u201cwhat is right\u201d (say, tsedeqah<\/span> or mishpat<\/span>) and what is right is determined by \u201cwhat God says\u201d (Torah<\/span>) and behind what God says is \u201cwho God is\u201d (the perichoretic<\/span> splendor of love and holiness and beauty). So, in biblical categories \u201cjustice\u201d is indistinguishable from \u201csocial\u201d justice because it is the Nature of God that determines \u2014 we are talking ontology here \u2014 what is right because God is<\/span> What is Right.<\/p>\n

So, when we define \u201csocial\u201d justice as the cracks into which the poor fall and the marginalized can be found, we most often are operating now with a meaning of justice that comes from Mill and Hume and those sorts, in other words, from what gives us individual freedom and protection of rights and personal happiness. But, this is not biblical at all: Christian justice is anything that conforms to God\u2019s perichoretic splendor \u2014 in other words, Love. As Jonathan Edwards said it, \u201cheaven is a world of love.\u201d<\/p>\n

When we define justice as \u201csocial\u201d justice, instead of God\u2019s justice, we find its biggest glaring problems in the City and so we focus the terms on those problems. But, friends, think about it, urbanites and suburbanites each struggle with the glory of God.<\/p>\n

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The question comes to me as to why I think it is that we so often see sin most systemically in the urban context. Good question. Here are my thoughts: Because the operative word for defining systemic sin is \u201csocial justice.\u201d Because, when we define \u201cjustice\u201d in general terms and \u201csocial justice\u201d in sociological terms, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy is sin urbanized?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The question comes to me as to why I think it is that we so often see sin most systemically in the urban context. Good question. 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