Your Big Question

Christians have had a real impact on the fight for fairness and justice in this world. The history of the UK alone is filled with Christian men and women who have been outraged by injustice and then done something about it – often politically and ofetn directly. Christians have not sat by and watched the horrors of the modern world unfold – indeed you’ll find them in all the places others are afraid to go.

Some commentators would have us believe that our faith is a private matter and doesn’t belong in the political or real world. But surely this doesn’t hold water. Why should people without faith have a monopoly on discussing and implementing their motivations?

No, Christians care about the unfairness in the world. Indeed the Bible frequently describes how God is heartbroken and outraged by injustice. We are called to be in the world and impact this world for the better – we are bringers of salt and light.

But this perhaps only answers half of this complex question. How do we have the most impact on an unjust world where poverty and unfairness seem to predominate. I suppose we could say this isn’t really an either/or matter. It isn’t that we have to choose between spiritual and political means. Christians are in politics they care about the world and so they can have a major political influence.

But what does the most lasting good? Is it politics or the spiritual? We might say that all political dynasties and ideologies have come and gone. None have stood the real test of time – even democracy and capitalism. We trust that God is at work in the world – that he cares passionately about it and that our prayers will be, and are, answered.

I would argue that you cannot change the injustice of the world through politics (or charity) alone. Unfortunately politcs gets tainted by people, as does charity. But with our spiritual renewal we become changed from the inside out and perhaps it is only when huuman hearts and minds are changed that we will really see an end to injustice.

Let’s not pretent that this will be anything other than a long term project – but God’s plan is to renew the world and to renew us.