Reclaiming Scripture

As a pastor friend of mine recently pointed out, a major problem of politically liberal Christians is that we tend not to know our scripture. When confronted by conservatives, we often speak from social science and the language of rights. They speak from scripture -- or at least what others have told them about scripture. In the end, liberals wind up ceding the crucial ground of the Bible.

This is a denial of Christian identity. We do not need to go outside of scripture for calls to justice. The Bible -- the literal, word-for-word Bible -- is packed with calls to help the poor and to build just societies. As I read through Paul's letters this semester, I will include some passages that strike me. So let's get started:

In Galatians 2, Paul is explaining the understanding he reached with the Jerusalem apostles, who followed Jesus throughout his ministry. In Gal. 2:9-10, Paul explains:

...and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas (Peter), and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Genties and they to the circumcised; only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do."

The verse is remarkable for several reasons. What does it mean that Jesus's original apostles reminded Paul to remember the poor in his ministry? Certainly, it suggests that they viewed concern for the poor as central to Christian faith. Preaching the gospel to the Gentiles is important, but they suggest to Paul that proclaiming the gospel is not the whole Christian mission. Part of that mission -- an essential, indispensable part -- is caring for the poor. Without that, the gospel is incomplete.

Also, the admonitions of the Jerusalem apostles undoubtedly reflect the emphases of Jesus himself. If the original apostles view concern for the poor as central to Christianity, Jesus must have preached it as central. The gospels, of course, seem to confirm that claim.

Finally, Paul says that he is "already eager" to remember the poor. Paul's attitudes are also significant. More than anyone else, Paul is responsible for core evangelical, Protestant doctrines like justification by faith (not by works, or the law). But Paul readily acknowledges that his gospel of faith must include concern for the poor.

The upshot is this: the apostles who founded the Christian church considered concern for the poor essential to the gospel. It is not something that is nice, yet subordinate to winning souls. No, the apostles and Paul proclaim that concern for the poor is inseparable from Christian faith. If you accept Christ by faith, you must accept the command to care for the poor.

Have affluent, American Christians forgotten that as we seek our own, private "blessings?"