Evangelicals versus Glenn Beck

CNN is hyping up the Evangelical leader who is taking on Glenn Beck over Jesus' teachings about social justice.  CNN is doing it because it casts the competition in a bad light (andno doubt casts aspersions on the conservative views of Christianity and by extension, conservatism in general).  The Reverend Jim Wallis is no doubt benefitting from the exposure, although that's not likely the motivation for the combative retort.


According to the CNN report, the flare up started when,

The Rev. Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, a network of progressive Christians, says Beck perverted Jesus' message when he urged Christians last week to leave churches that preach social and economic justice.

Hmmm, progressive Christians. I wonder what their take is on things like homosexuality, or abortion. I'm just asking, not making a judgement.

And what exactly is social justice as espoused by Christians? Yes, Jesus talked about helping the poor and the sick, and children. But show me one place he mentions that those tasks should be taken on by government. In fact, I would argue that enforcing social justice by having it imposed through government edict is an abdication of personal responsibility to God. If you have to do it, you aren't making the personal commitment to do as Jesus would havew you do - you are doing it because you have to do it.

And imposing it on others is not a very Christian thing to do either.

Now they are free to try to get a boycott of Glenn Beck. It's been tried before - good luck with that. They'll need it, because it's failed before. Beck's show is impressively strong. Beck may not shrink from the challenge of a debate by the Reverend, but there's no gain for him in accepting it - it elevates his philisophical opponent to his level, and his opponent while using the word "Sorry" on the sign, still doesn't display anything other than being judgemental. Whether Glenn Beck was judgemental in the first place is also beside the point.

There's a great and relevant quote that talks about that very issue.

You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

~Matthew 5:38-42