The Church on the Wrong Side of Justice Historically? -Debunked

A thought shared with me on this matter…..“One of the disturbing things about Church history is the Church’s appalling track record of being on the wrong side of the great social issues of the day.” “What will our grandchildren ask us when they look back twenty-five or fifty years from now and wonder how we could have just sat by and watched when justice was demanded?”Response 1I am sorry, but I have to object. Just because some Muslims hold to a more violent understanding of Islam and commit atrocious acts does not by default besmirch their faith, their mosques, or their history. The same could be said of any number of believing communities. In addition, church history is filled with many characters who were Christian in name only. The Bible says that we are to look for their fruit. When we do this (as best we can in the pages of history), we often are forced to ask whether or not the person was truly a believer. One final point that I would like to draw from Scripture. Jesus, when questioned on Roman injustice, responded, “But unless you repent, you too will perish” (Luke 13:1-5). Justice was being “demanded” by his questioners and this was his response. I hope my grandchildren will say that I responded with the gospel in accordance with the Word and example of Christ.Response 2A couple more points. On That Day, judgment is reserved for individuals and not systems according to the Bible. Besides, the gathered church will be found blameless in Christ. Second, if your contention has any merit, one could posit the idea that the Holy Spirit Himself has failed to properly lead and guide God’s people. Therefore, your statement could end up making man the judge of God. Third, your statement makes it seem that the church, though led by Christ and empowered by His Spirit, has at least at times needed to play catch up with the world. The world, it would seem, can determine justice (which God Himself defines) better than those whom God has chosen and sent His Spirit to indwell them.Response 3Still yet one more point. If you consider these quotes deeply, we are basically being asked to sit in judgement (in the condemning kind that is a sin) of the entire Christian Church across its history. The Church (meaning those who are actually God’s forgiven people) has already come to Christ and confessed their sin. They have admitted their need for His grace and power to produce within them a love our world so desperately lacks. While they are not perfect, they have been divinely forgiven and enabled to love beyond that of any natural man (woman) who stands outside God’s grace.