I look forward to reading your work this week! Here’s a few things to ponder: As Christians, how do we
view injustice? And what is our response to it? We need to begin to ask the questions: What is the
relationship between Christian beliefs vs Government action? And what measures are there to ensure
these are carried out equally? Martin Luther King Jr. dared to question some strongly held beliefs which
resulted in gross injustices for Black Americans. In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King
Jr. acted upon his strong values concerning injustices around him. He would be assassinated in April
five years later in Memphis, TN.
From a Biblical perspective, look at the Old Testament prophets, especially Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Habakkuk, who warned of judgment. All were contemporaries who witnessed Jerusalem’s attack in 597
BC and eventual destruction in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Most, except Jeremiah who was taken to
Egypt, were deported to Babylon. Not only did these prophets warn Judea, but they cried out for each
to take personal responsibility for one’s own actions and repent. When there is no personal and
corporate repentance, judgment must fall as it is in the character of God. Judah sinned against the Lord
by worshipping many false gods, and they sinned against each other in the form of institutional
injustices, violence, and plundering. Hab 1:4 responded, “Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice
never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” Again a bit earlier when
King Jehoshaphat appointed judges (by the way, our Founding Fathers wisely adopted this Biblical
practice of giving the authority to appoint judges to the President), he admonished them to “let the fear
of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or
bribery” (2Chron 19:7).
So what does this mean for us, the Church, today? It’s easy to point the finger at others, but Scripture
again tells us to examine our own hearts. Judgment begins in the house of the Lord, according to 1 Pet
4:17 and Ezek 9:6. What do we need to clean up inside each of us? And what injustices around us
need to be changed? We are all made in God’s image who sees us equally, so let’s honor one another.
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The Christian View of Injustice: Letters to Birmingham
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Christian View of Injustice and Their Response to Injustices
How Christians View Injustice
Injustice is a vice in every society and should, by all means, be fought as it has multiple
negative implications such as the growth of an unfair society. Christians view injustice as a sin
and unethical deed which should not be tolerated as the bible says in Romans 2: 10-11, “But
glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
For there is no respect of persons with God (Revised Standard Version, 1952/1979).” They see it
as a responsibility of every Christian to defend the rights of the voiceless, the needy, and those
who are destitute.
Response to Injustices
As Christians, we should ask God for vengeance when faced with injustices as it is his
prerogative. As illustrated in Psalms 94, God is portrayed as our avenger and judge of all
(Revised Standard Version, 1952/1979). He alone should avenge our sins as a way to proclaim
his holiness and glory to bring praise to his name.
The Relationship between Christian Beliefs Vs. Government Action and Measures to
Ensure Both Are Exercised Equally
Christian beliefs and government actions are two major societal institutions and close
relationships. However, they should operate independently from each other without interfering
with their freedom of operation. To ensure the equal practice of both disciplines, states should
enforce laws that ensure that freedom prevails amongst both entities. They should ensure that the
government only restricts Christian freedom when it has a compelling interest to ensure the
safety of all citizens. Also, they should not establish Christian beliefs and or limit their freedom
of exercise. Christian beliefs should not govern the operations of the government actions.
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What We Need to Clean Up Inside Each of Us as Christian
The holy book urges Christians to cleanse their hearts of all sin and malice. According to
Ephesians 4:31-32, the bible tells us to let all wrath, anger, slander, and bitterness (Revised
Standard Version, 1952/1979). Similarly, they should cleanse themselves of hypocrisy as
postulated in Mathew 23:26 which rebukes Pharisees that they should ensure to clean the inside
of the cup, that the outside may be clean (Revised Standard Version, 1952/1979).
The Injustices That Need to be Cleaned
Christians should avoid all social injustices and treat their neighbors as they want to be
treated as commanded in the bible. According to Zechariah 7:9-10, Christians are required to
judge righteously, be kind to one another, and avoid oppressing widows, the poor, the orphans,
and do not devise evil in their souls against others(Revised Standard Version, 1952/1979). They
are required to judge everyone fairly regardless of their present social status.
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Reference
Revised Standard Version Bible (1979). Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the USA. (Original work published in 1952)
