Do Methodists believe in "social justice"? You bet!

By Dr. John E. Harnish

 

We all know the media (TV, radio, especially the Internet) is overrun with airwave airheads, most of which are not worthy of a response.  But when one of the most popular pundits tells folks to leave my church, I become a tad defensive. Recently the ever emotional and flamboyant Glenn Beck pleaded with his audience, "I beg you, look for the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice' on your church Website.  If you find it, run as fast as you can.  They are code words.  Now, am I advising people to leave their church?  Yes!"  Then, in true Joe McCarthy spirit, he held up a hammer and sickle and a swastika and claimed they both subscribed to "social justice". 

 

Just in case there is any doubt: Do Methodists believe in "social justice"?  You bet!  John Wesley worked as hard for child labor laws and prison reform as he did for personal salvation. Early Methodists, including Wesley, were outspoken abolitionists. On the American frontier, Methodist circuit riders sought to "proclaim scriptural holiness and reform the continent". Frances Willard, a Methodist, led the temperance movement and campaigned for women's voting rights.  One of the sources of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech was the Methodist evangelist E. Stanley Jones and King's last Sunday sermon was preached at Central UMC in Detroit. Our "Book of Resolutions" is full of hundreds of General Conference resolutions on every issue from the environment to education, all in the spirit of Wesley who said "there is no holiness without social holiness".

 

A commitment to social justice does not make me a Communist or a Nazi, it makes me a good Methodist.  It marks me as a disciple of Jesus who cared for the orphan and widow and challenged social norms that were contrary to the Kingdom of God. It follows in the steps of Moses who confronted Pharaoh and led a slave revolt.  It is in the spirit the Old Testament prophet who said "Let justice roll down like waters", and closer to home, it is the fulfillment of the vision of "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

 

Now I wonder, exactly what church does Mr. Beck attend?

 

 

Dr. Harnish is the senior pastor at Birmingham: First UMC. He authors "Monday Memo," a weekly blog. To view and/or subscribe to the Monday Memo, please click here.

By: Dr. John E. Harnish On 3/15/2010
Topics: Other Voices, Reflections

Comments

1. Morris Taber wrote on 3/17/2010 11:09:05 AM
A cogent and accurate response and defense of Methodism's proud support for Social Justice. Thank you!
2. George Ward wrote on 3/17/2010 1:25:08 PM
Well said, Jack, and an excellent summary of what is best in our tradition.
3. Jill Warren wrote on 3/17/2010 4:24:28 PM
Thanks, Jack - yes we do/can! And we need more Methodists to demonstrate it by joining the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Go to http://mfsaweb.org/ to join today - and come to our Annual Meeting 5/19, 6pm at Adrian (MI) United Methodist Church with guest speaker & gubernatorial candidate Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith.
4. Pam Buchholz wrote on 3/17/2010 6:03:32 PM
In his sermon, "On Visiting the Sick", John Wesley insists that it is only when we look someone in the eye that one part of the world can know what the other part suffers. Be a part of changetheworld on April 24-25 when millions of United Methodists will go out into their neighborhoods to serve those in need.