What Does Justice Even Mean To A Christian?

It was a typical sunny Southern California day, but the full-leafed trees in various hues of vibrant green shaded the path along the stream. Although it was actually a horse trail, I didn’t see any of the majestic beasts as I shared with my hiking partner about my current writing projects. Flourishing Faith and Justice here at Patheos was one of these. That was when she asked the question that I knew would become the thesis of this column: “Elisa, what does justice even mean to a Christian?”

I’ve had a blog, Average Advocate, on the topic of change-making and social justice since 2010. That is a long time to write about justice without addressing it through the lens of my faith. My audience is everyone–mostly the humanist religious “nones,” along with Muslims, Christians, and any combination of the above. I don’t hide that my view of morality and justice is driven by my faith in Jesus, but as I’m not specifically talking to Christians, there hasn’t been a reason to make a case for why we need to care about social justice.

Social Justice: A Birthright and Responsibility

Actually, let me rephrase this. Christians get to care about justice. In fact, I’ll argue that we get to care about justice more than anyone else. I’m not saying that justice is exclusively for Christians, which would be especially nonsensical as it is a part of many religions. But I am pointing out that caring about justice is our birthright. We can’t conveniently forget about justice as it is our responsibility as followers of Jesus. We might be called to model and invite others onto the narrow path, but too often we are known for perpetuating inequality, oppression, and hatred instead.

Can You Be the Most Loving Person In the Room?

If caring about justice is our prerogative, why not be at the helm, leading the way? My husband was once challenged to be the most loving person in the room. It doesn’t mean others can’t join him to try to “out love” each other. But when it becomes his goal, he loves others quite well. Unsurprisingly, this leads the way for others to want to respond with love. Once I saw him get into an absurd under-bidding war, generously knocking-off thousands of dollars in a sale simply because he wanted to bless a family! Then they wanted to bless us in return. This is counter intuitive to capitalism, but a determination to love others ended up creating the most fair price on the market.

Macro-Love

Love is just another word for justice, but it is what love looks like on a large, public scale. I often refer to justice as “macro-love,” as it is the most extensively big and wide way to carry it out. It is how we love others through our systems, businesses, and other structures. Dr. Cornel West states it best, “Justice is what love looks like in public, just like tenderness is what love feels like in private.” If tenderness shows love in friendship and families, justice fosters a flourishing world. 

If we are to be known by our love, and start trying to outbid each other with acts of genuine love, I have no doubt justice will take root and grow. I can only dream of what this world would look like!

This is why it is vital that Christians make the connection between justice and our faith, for faith without action cannot represent our Christian faith. This connection is what we will be exploring in this column, Flourishing Faith and Justice. Let us reanimate our faith by learning what justice means to us as followers of Jesus.