By Jim Denison
The Pew Forum for Religion & Public Life recently discovered an alarming gap between faith and many critical social issues. For instance, only 7 percent of adults who take a position on immigration say that religion is the most important influence on their view. On government assistance to the poor, 10 percent say that religion is their chief influence; on the environment, 6 percent cite religion as their most important influence and consideration.
However, 60 percent of those who oppose gay marriage say that religion is the chief influence on their position. On the issue of abortion, 26 percent overall say that religion is the most important influence on their opinion, including 45 percent of those who oppose abortion.
Faith might not be a significant factor in your views on postal service or transportation issues. But the Bible speaks frequently on immigration, the poor and the environment. Regarding immigrants: “The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt” (Lev. 19:34; cf. Ex. 22:21; 23:9; Jer. 22:3; Eze. 22:29; Mal. 3:5).
Jesus began his public ministry by quoting Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). Scripture consistently calls us to care for the impoverished (Prov. 19:17; cf. Ex. 22:22-23; Deut. 15:7-8; Jer. 22:16).
And God’s Word speaks to environmental issues as well: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters” (Ps. 24:1-2). Our Lord calls us to care for his creation: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). “Take care of it” (shamar) is literally “guard” in the Hebrew; the word means to superintend and protect in all ways.
Why, then, is there a divide between faith and such critical issues today? Why are many Christians passionate about issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage but less interested in immigration, the poor, and the environment?
A brief history of the subject may help. Europe has a long tradition of political parties organized by the church. America’s founders rejected such engagement of church and state: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” (the First Amendment). After the Civil War, however, business leaders began significant involvement with their churches and denominations, leading them into political activism. Many denominations continue this engagement with social issues today.
More “conservative” denominations chose to focus on evangelism and personal spiritual issues. Perceiving a drift into “liberalism” and immorality, however, they organized the National Association of Evangelicals in 1942 to counter this direction. After Supreme Court decisions regarding prayer (Engel v. Vitale, 1962) and compulsory Bible reading in public schools (Abington v. Schempp, 1963) and the legalization of abortion (Roe v. Wade, 1973), some evangelicals organized political movements such as the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition. They continued to focus on personal moral issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, however, neglecting broader issues such as government assistance to the poor and the environment.
Jesus rejected this division between personal and social morality. He was a homeless man. He fed the hungry and healed the sick. He spoke out against injustice in every form. If we claim to follow him, we must share his passion for all human pain.
In a postmodern culture, relevance is the key to ministry. People who do not view our churches as connected to their issues will not give our message a hearing. When we engage cultural and social problems with biblical truth and personal grace, we earn the right to share Christ with those he loves.
The God of Scripture “longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion” (Is. 30:18). He is a Father who cares for every need of every person he created.
I agree completely with the conviction of Randel Everett, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas: “I have no right to preach the gospel to a hungry person.”
May the missionary’s prayer be ours: “Lord, break my heart with what breaks your heart.”