A good job for faith

A friend mailed me a link of a Tearfund interview of Jim Wallis, an American  social  prophet and the founder Sojourners magazine. He talks among other things about the role of prophets in politics and maintaining integrity in politics, how to bring justice to the poor, about good and evil in people, the war in Iraq.

I find it interesting how he challenges us to reach BEYOND like Jesus always challenged people (you will not worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth). He also encourages us to demonstrate a better way in politics, environmental issues, on justice, not just to protest against things (in Finnish case most often with ignorance).

He says: "The two hungers in the world today are for spirituality and social justice. The connection between the two is the one the world is waiting for. Spirituality without justice in an affluent society can turn into consumerism and narcissism. But the fight for justice without spirituality can lead to dispair, bitterness, anger and burn-out. "

And: "God hasn't given up on his world and neither should we!"

"When I read the Bible, God doesn't call us to charity. God calls us to justice. The Bible doesn't talk about poor people; it talks about poverty and the causes of poverty. The word oppression was a Biblical word. This is a Biblical word- hardness of heart, structures, policies, the way things are arranged." "...sometimes you just can't keep pulling bodies out of the river; you've got to send somebody upstream to seewhat or who is throwing them in." 

Comments

[Mimosa Lankinen]

Yeh, so to the point! I was at the conference in Keuruu this past summer, and was so glad to hear at the saturday evening's youth event a speech that encouraged young people to get involved in the society, if God has called them to politics, or to be a teacher, or whatever..for them to walk on that track and follow their dreams. God has definetily called us to influence! To be active in a positive way, and not passive isolated group separated from the community it lives in. We are here to be the salt and the light.. Mimosa

[Mathias]

Good post, Niina! I receive the Sojourner e-letter, and it often contains interesting articles.

How are you these days? Are things ok? Hope you have a good syksy, ja että Jumala siunaa sinua!
=)

[Gabi]

would love to chat with you dear friend, haven't heard from you for sooo long. also about your take from Istanbul and the direction God is showing you. eager to hear more. love from budapest