“Learn to do good; seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan, plead for the widow."
--Isaiah 1:17 (NRSV)
Christians are called to seek justice and to actively oppose all instances of oppression. The word "justice" appears hundreds of times in the Bible. Scripture teaches us that all human life is sacred and every person is created in God’s image; we are one human family and the fates of all peoples of the earth are linked; and we are encouraged to take action on behalf of the weak, the marginalized, and the oppressed:
"Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
and to defend the needy and the poor."
--Proverbs 31:8-9 (CEB)
Social Justice is a phrase that encompasses our Christian commitment. Social Justice means all people are respected and valued, their needs are heard, all are treated fairly and have equal access to goods and services, and all have real opportunities to participate in decision making that affects their lives. A commitment to Social Justice encourages us as Christians to both educate ourselves about and actively work against systems of oppression and privilege by denouncing those systems as evil and contrary to the Kingdom of God.
John Wesley was a defender of social justice in his day. He advocated for better working conditions and supported education for children. His last letter was written less than a week before his death to William Wilberforce, a young abolitionist leader in the movement to bring an end to slavery. Wesley offered his heartfelt praise and encouragement to this young leader...Wesley did not shy away from directly addressing social injustice. He encouraged Methodists to model this social witness in their groups and in their personal lives.
For more details, click here for a current list of social issues in The United Methodist Social Principles.
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan, plead for the widow."
--Isaiah 1:17 (NRSV)
Christians are called to seek justice and to actively oppose all instances of oppression. The word "justice" appears hundreds of times in the Bible. Scripture teaches us that all human life is sacred and every person is created in God’s image; we are one human family and the fates of all peoples of the earth are linked; and we are encouraged to take action on behalf of the weak, the marginalized, and the oppressed:
"Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
and to defend the needy and the poor."
--Proverbs 31:8-9 (CEB)
Social Justice is a phrase that encompasses our Christian commitment. Social Justice means all people are respected and valued, their needs are heard, all are treated fairly and have equal access to goods and services, and all have real opportunities to participate in decision making that affects their lives. A commitment to Social Justice encourages us as Christians to both educate ourselves about and actively work against systems of oppression and privilege by denouncing those systems as evil and contrary to the Kingdom of God.
John Wesley was a defender of social justice in his day. He advocated for better working conditions and supported education for children. His last letter was written less than a week before his death to William Wilberforce, a young abolitionist leader in the movement to bring an end to slavery. Wesley offered his heartfelt praise and encouragement to this young leader...Wesley did not shy away from directly addressing social injustice. He encouraged Methodists to model this social witness in their groups and in their personal lives.
For more details, click here for a current list of social issues in The United Methodist Social Principles.
