What is social justice?

At our gathering at The Bohemia last week, we discussed what we understood by the term 'social justice' and how it fits into the life of a Christian. These were the discussion notes we used to inform that conversation.

What do you think?

What is social justice?
"Social justice is what faces you in the morning. It is awakening in a house with adequate water supply, cooking facilities and sanitation. It is the ability to nourish your children and send them to school where their education not only equips them for employment but also reinforces their knowledge and understanding of their cultural inheritance. It is the prospect of genuine employment and good health: a life of choices and opportunity, free from discrimination."            

Mick Dodson, Annual Report of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

In the Bible, the concept of social justice is described using the Hebrew word tzadeqah, meaning to be “right with God and therefore committed to putting right all other relationships in life.”

Tim Keller, Generous Justice

"We often dismiss injustice, poverty, trafficking, homelessness and hunger as the result of poor social, economic, or political policy. It is vital for us to understand that injustice grieves God and is contrary to his will and purpose... [Our efforts to eradicate injustice] is not simply social service or social action; it is the wider work of redemption...

The only true transformation happens from the inside out. It is the transforming presence of the Kingdom of God in the world that ensures the true presence if justice... at both a personal and community level."

Strickland & Roberts, Just Imagine – The Social Justice Agenda

Q: What strikes you about these descriptions of social justice? How do they compare to your own understanding of social justice?

Justice, mercy and faithfulness
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Micah 6:8 

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law - justice and mercy and faithfulness."

Matthew 23:23 

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness [justice] and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Romans 14:17

Q: Does this ordering of the three elements of our relationship with God surprise you? 
Q: Do we get the balance between justice, mercy and faith right in our own lives and church? 


What’s the difference between justice and mercy?
"Mercy is like the ambulance at the bottom of a cliff, ready to help those who fall. Justice builds a fence at the top of the cliff to protect them from falling in the first place.

Mercy wipes the tears from the eyes. Justice asks, 'Why are you crying?'

Mercy welcomes the hungry to gather round God's banqueting table. Justice addresses why some are under the table aching of hunger while others are sitting on top of the table aching from gluttony.

Mercy seeks and saves those lost in darkness. Justice asks, 'Why is it dark? Who is keeping it dark? Who is benefiting from this darkness? Is it I, Lord?"

Brad Jersak, Can You Hear Me?

A prayer for the would be activist
May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers,
half-truths and superficial relationships,
so that we may live deeply in your heart.
May God bless us with anger at injustice,
oppression and exploitation of people,
so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain,
rejection, starvation and war,
so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless us with enough foolishness
to believe we can make a difference in the world.

Franciscan Benediction