Moved by “inversion”

One of my favorite theologians and thinkers is a colleague and friend of mine named Andrew Arndt. His thoughts on “inversion” deserve to be read and heard by everyone and I have asked his permission to share them with those who visit this site. A long post, but well worth your time…

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Justice and Consensus

I’ve been inspired and challenged by some of the recent dialog to look again at the tension between justice and consensus. Do we need to have a unified position on specific issues in order to be effective agents of biblical justice? Or can we act as individuals for the common good and not have to worry about any official church/community position? Does this individualism limit the effectiveness of just causes or does waiting on a consensus in the community do more harm than good?

I ponder these questions as someone who believes strongly in community standards, authority, and unity — but also as someone who sees this concept as possibly the most abused aspect of church polity in history.

I’m drawn to the words of Miroslov Volf: “What happens before we have acquired ‘a common language,’ however? …those caught in the midst of personal and social struggles cannot (acquire a common language). They must act — As we must act before we have resolved a contradiction and sorted out between multiple opinions, so too we must act before we have come to a “œcommon human understanding”‘

Langdon Gilkey observes rather academically: Praxis begins with it forced option, one that cannot be avoided. When praxis is called for, puzzled immobility before contradiction or indifferent acceptance of plurality of options must both cease — for to exist humanly we must wager, and must enact our wager.

“We must wager and must enact on our wager.” I like that. What do you think? Does justice require consensus?

Social Shalom

Justice and shalom are closely linked. Shalom is translated peace. Our translation of peace is too weak. Physical shalom is good health. Social shalom is an interwoveness among various social segments of society for the common good. Doing justice is repairing the fabric of society where it is falling apart.

Shalom is the human being dwelling at peace in all his or her relationships: with God, with self, with fellows, with nature. . . But the peace which is shalom is not merely the absence of hostility, not merely being in the right relationship. Shalom at its highest is enjoyment in one’s relationships. A nation may be at peace with all its neighbors and yet be miserable in its poverty. To dwell in shalom is to enjoy living before God, to enjoy living in one’s physical surroundings, to enjoy living with one’s fellows, to enjoy life with oneself (Wolterstorff).

We must add the ideas of justice harmony, and enjoyment to capture the full biblical meaning of the word. Shalom means just relationship (living justly and experiencing justice), harmonious relationships and enjoyable relationships. Shalom means belonging to an authentic and nurturing community in which one can be one’s true self and give one’s self away without becoming poor. Justice, harmony, and the enjoyment of God, self, others, and nature; this is the shalom that Jesus brings, the peace that passes all understanding (Wolterstorff).

Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Shalom…nothing missing, nothing broken.

Proverbs study in justice.

“The righteous are those willing to disadvantage themselves in order to advantage the community.”

Here’s some more scripture to process. Proverbs has many studies in justice. As you read these passages continue to contemplate and define for yourself who the righteous among God’s people are and identify the implications for today’s global reality.

Proverbs 3:27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” – when you now have it with you.
Proverbs 11:10
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Proverbs 14:31
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
Proverbs 24:11
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it.
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
Proverbs 29:7
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
Proverbs 31:9
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.