Challenges of Social Justice Theory (SJT) to the Biblical Worldview (adapted from By What Standard, ed. Jared Longshore)

1. The promotion of the sense of entitlement – Those who are from underprivileged classes (as defined by these theorists) are told that they should seek to be first and society should make it so. Jesus teaches us to be a servant (Matt 10:42-43).

2. Personal offense becomes the focus – Those who are underprivileged and those who are the cause of their lower status are told to focus exclusively (much of the time) on acknowledging privilege in others (judgementalism by category which is unbiblical), acknowledging their own privilege (aka. repentance in social justice terms), and seeking removal of any offenses due to privilege. The gospel, however, focuses its hearers on their offense towards God and their corresponding need for repentance and salvation.

3. Authority – The Bible serves as the authority for the biblical worldview. The authority (authorities) behind social justice theory is basically any warm body with an opinion. To speak plainly, it is completely idiotic to build your life on any man’s opinion.

4. Vengeance – The Bible would have us trust God in the midst of difficult and unjust circumstances (e.g. Christ on the cross, Joseph in slavery in Egypt, etc). Social Justice Theory completely ignores God’s revealed purposes in suffering, Christ’s example on the cross, and God’s call for Christians to love those who mistreat and abuse them. Instead of encouraging prayer, humility, and patience, SJT calls on its audience to take action and if necessary violent action. This action is deemed just because of the offensive behavior of the privileged class. The Bible, however, teaches us to turn the other cheek.

5. Worldly Focus – Whereas the Bible constantly challenges to keep our minds focused on Christ and the life to come, SJT is totally focused on developing what it believes is one’s best life now.