Calls for Justice

September 26, 2018

By Steve King

The #MeToo movement, Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser Christine Blasey Ford, sexual abuse in the Catholic church, racism, and immigration—these “calls for justice” dominate the headlines. I believe they also call for us to pray and grow in Christ together so that we respond with discernment and wisdom.

I believe the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ is welded to a discerning and passionate call for justice in the world. There are several resources I want to recommend to you, which have helped me and our elders grow in our understanding of the gospel’s connection to justice:

• Generous Justice by Timothy Keller provides an extensive scriptural overview of the topic of justice and demonstrates how the gospel calls us to a life of generous justice.
• Christianity Today provides insightful articles each month which help us learn how to think critically on major issues through a biblical and gospel-centered grid.
• Our Elders are reading Heal Us, Emmanuel—A Call for Racial Reconciliation, Representation and Unity in the Church, written by 30 evangelical church leaders from diverse backgrounds.
• I am greatly benefiting from my involvement in a Cherrydale small group’s study of Divided by Faith—Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith.

Several of our leaders are participating in a conference this fall addressing the risk of child sexual abuse in ministry environments. We have recently reexamined our policies and procedures, especially in our ministry to children and teens, and are pleased to report that training and procedures are solid, and we are committed to a ministry that is above reproach.

Our mission is to make disciples who love God and people above all else, so ignoring the major moves in the culture around us is not an option.