If you give to the poor, you might be a Marxist

"That's the craziest thing I have ever heard." Yet, that is the impression some people are getting from some comments recently made by Glenn Beck. You know Glenn, the man Time Magazine has called "the hottest thing in poltical rant-ratchet left or right" and he has millions of devoted followers. Glenn is intelligent, atriculate, and entertaining. But, he is not infallible.

Here is a quote taken from one of Glenn's recently aired radio programs:
"I beg you, look for the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice' on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Now, am I advising people to leave their church? Yes!" These words have caused no small stir. They are based upon Beck's limited definition of the term social justice. A term he believes hides an adgenda of Marxism or worse--Nazism!  Making such a statement without clearly defining what you mean is wrecklessly stupid. Or was it all about ratings?? Makes ya wonder.

Beck later attempted to come back and explain himself on his television program. But rather than admitting he had made a bad choice in words and apologizing, he goes into a monlogue to justifiy himself. In my opinion, it was obvious that he could not admit that the statement he made was wrong. And, that encouraging people to leave their churches if those churches practiced social justice was just plain dumb!

There maybe some people out there who are using the term "social justice" to promote a political adgenda. There may be some people out there who have made the term "social justice" a code word for something more insideious. But, by in large, the majority people do not define the term in that sense.

Beck has claimed that social justice is a perversion of the gospel. Now that is crazy! Social justice is at the very heart of the gospel! A loving God moved with comapssion, gave to those who could not help themselves. Jesus said, when we have clothed the naked, fed the poor and tended to the sick and needy, it is as if we have helped Him(cf. matthew 25.34-40). The whole concept of faith being about "You" is false. The gospel and faith is never about you, it is about two things: Loving God and Loving your fellow man. The Apostle James said it this way: "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world" (cf. James 1.27 Message Bible).

From what I read of Jesus He was the social justice subversive of His day. He associated with social outcasts, lepers, prostitutes, and drunks. Jesus said that the healthy do not need a doctor--the sick do (Matthew 9.12). And, He spent the majority of His time touching, healing and tending to them. I believe He expects that we all do the same.

To insinuate that Christ followers are Marxists or a Nazis because they practice and advocate social justice is insulting. For a person to claim that social justice is a pervesion of the Gospel, illuminates the fact that the accusor has not read the gospel or at least not read it from the proper perspective. To encourage people to leave their churches if the words social justice show up, is just stupid.

According to Glenn Beck's, narrow and conspiracy laden, definition of social justice, if you give to the poor, feed the hungry and tend to the needy, you might be a Marxist. Beck should just admit he was wrong and apologize. If he does, he wil find the "Marxist" leaning bible thumpers willing to extend forgiveness. That being a another form of social justice.