Glenn Beck Promises Week-long Focus on Jim Wallis and His 'Social Justice Nonsense'

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Schools + police + roads + plowing in snow in winter= legitimate, non-socialist roles for government

I'd add health care in there, too

I don't think they really care about "pre-conversion." Doesn't seem like any leader is ever allowed to learn or change his or her mind.

If that's the case, it's because they're completely dishonest in their motives for having him on -- basically, they're bullies looking for easy targets to hate on. Wallis would be smart enough not to take their abuse.

I won't speak for anyone else--but I find it interesting my first response was to essentially affirm we ought take Beck's critique under consideration (ie use of the term as "code" that is distinct from a commitment to justice of the Kingdom) rather than the Wallis response.

However, what Beck has done with this, and moreso the comments made by many on this blog shifted my attitude.

At the end of the day, I believe 98% of folks in this nation fit into a legitimate mainstream of political discourse, and for better or worse hold most basic interests in common. I have no issue with energized debate and political action over how to best address our common interests.

I have a big problem with big voices who shift their energized agendas into fear-mongering that breaks off chunks of the populace into some kind of "end-of-the-world" brigade battling the infidels.

I love conspiracies. I think it is my sociological background combined with a big dose of "warring against principalities and powers" theology. There are unprecedented threats accumulating.

I grasp that.

But the heart of this "Obama=tyranny=Communism=Nazism=Redistribution=a social justice bogeyman" betrays nothing of a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.

The inability of commenters here to have any sense of irony as they essentially explain why social justice is demonic would be laughable if they were not using the argument to fan a whole lot of fear that is very corrosive.

Romans 13. The government's role, according to Romans 13:4, is to restrain injustice by punishing the wrong-doer. I'm not in favor of all the things in the health care reform package, but when huge insurance companies are ruining lives and sometimes even sentencing people to death, they are "doing wrong" and need to be stopped.

I'm curious as to why only the New Testament is to be included in discussion though. The Old Testament, particularly the words of the prophets, has much to each about God's heart.

I don't know how many of us would look all that good if someone brought up EVERYTHING we've ever done or every person we'd ever associated with. One of the things that bugs me about the so-called "political process" is that nobody is ever allowed a change of heart on anything. Being true to one's "principles" is apparently more important than learning.

What qualifies any heathen to rule over Christians in any way?

There's another famous "I never knew you" in Matthew 25, Oh wait, that was for the Jews, right?

So give them to God.

Tax collectors?

Ahh, last I checked, they left their nets and followed Him. I guess they all became itinerant carpenters.

To be honest, I think Wallis is taking the high road of reminding us (and likely himself) that he will not make personal attacks against Glenn Beck. And I'm a fan of Glenn Beck (for those who don't care for that, there are MANY things I disagree with Beck on, most of them the things that make him "conservative")!

Anyway, I heard Beck on the radio clarifying his point about social justice and churches. He was very specific that social justice was not the problem so long as the CHURCH was doing the social justice, and not being a shill for government or colluding with the government to accomplish it. It isn't about churches doing charity, it isn't about whether or not there are enough private dollars to help those in need. It's about ethical boundaries by which we as Christians must live. The rules by which we live daily, such as don't steal, don't covet, etc. do not go away when we bring in government. There are not two sets of ethics.

Agree that Beck will have his researchers working full time to check Jim Wallis's history, which apparently includes being head of SDS at Michigan State. This has become such an unnecessary feud.

"A legitimate role for government is to compel the free market to pay the cost of labor"

Does the "cost of labor" include food, clothing, shelter, and relaxation? Or is that what a paycheck is for?

What if we just do away with any $ pay whatsoever, and just work in exchange of life's necessities, and a few "wants" thrown in as well? Would that solve the problem?

A legitimate role for government is to compel the free market to pay the cost of labor. Part of that cost is health care. If you are not prepared to concede that then you have completely lost your moral compass.

And, far be it from me to speak as an expert on Glenn Beck, but he doesn't seem to be angry, venomous or fearful of Jim Wallis, nor have I heard him say he plans to 'attack' the reverend.

I think you missed the point -- his talking about Wallis on the show and distorting what he believes represents an attack. And the Scriptures do say something about that.

When I hear that argument about using the government to steal money from one who would not otherwise contribute to a charity to help the disadvantaged, two things come to mind. One, would you rather have the government tax your neighbor or watch your neighbod die slowly, painfully because he has no insurance coverage? Second, if Christians are giving to charity to halp the disadvantaged as directed by the Bible, does this mean your neighbor is exempt from the prime directive to "love each other" since he is not a Christian? Is there one set of rules to live by for those officially deemed Christian by following particular rituals and those who claim no such religious affiliation?
I am no theologian but it seems to me that if being "saved" or "born again" does not change me from being self-absorbed to being compassionate to others, then something has mis-fiired and I need to try again. To me being re-born means getting rid of or at least getting control of selfish goals and instead striving to live as God has shown us. If my way of life does not reflect that, then it's time for a re-do. To separate salvation, being saved, or being re-born from a change of attitude, behaviour, or relationships would seem to be impossible. It would be arrogant and ungrateful. It would be tantamount to saying I didn't need to be saved or re-born in the first place, I was good enough as I was. It would make all of Christ's teachings irrelevant.

"...that Beck will have his researchers working full time to check Jim Wallis's history, which apparently includes being head of SDS at Michigan State. This has become such an unnecessary feud."

Yes I'm sure they will be real hard at work looking for truth (or will it look more like obfuscation and slander). H-m-m-m the tension mounts.

There is, for all practical purposes, no true "liberal segment of evangelicalism." The closest thing you'll find is in the black churches, which really don't have a voice in this discussion -- which is ironic because they've always been on the front lines when it comes to social justice. Let's never forget that the civil-rights movement started there and that MLK Jr. was simply a local pastor in the right place at the right time.

"If you want to be charitable, it should be of your own freewill. Taking money (or voting money) from others, in the name of charity, is not charity, but theft."

Curious: Taking my tax dollars in the name of funding invasions of foreign countries under false pretense: is that theft as well?

"The rally cry of the progressive is not, "I will go forth to do all that I can, with all that I have to further the cause of Jesus Christ." No, instead the rally cry has become, "Behold, I come bearing a regurgitated secularist ideology masked as a Christ-centered commandment otherwise known as "social justice"."

My allegiance is to Jesus. I seek His rule.

There is a nursing home close to me with a large rehab unit. There are often persons in power wheelchairs who run their chairs on the road going past the facility. There are no sidewalks. There are no shoulders. It is a two-lane road with no street lights. It is on the edge of the city in an area where there is still not universal provision of sewer, water, and paved roads. I recently received news that a friend of mine in a wheelchair (in a different community) was on the road, hit by a car, and killed. My church is on this road.

Do you think it is OK for us to contact the City and advocate for lights and sidewalks? Or would this be an unyoking of Christ's people from Jesus??

Would you assign me in some political camp because I took such an action?? Would you see me as a brother in Christ in walking towards Jesus??

Ah, but the crows seem to do very well for themselves without my assistance. And I can't be faulted if they're afraid to go up against the finches. Nor do I have an unlimited supply of seed; therefore I throw it where it seems to be most needed and does the most good.

"As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times. Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:4-9

;-)
"

bakabomb said:

"Every morning when I throw seeds on the lawn for the finches, the crows caw at me. It doesn't bother me, and the finches -- tiny though they are -- don't let the crows take their seeds either. We are spreading the seeds of love and truth, seeds that Glenn Beck will never be able to take from even the least among us. So let him caw, it's all bluff and braggadocio. He can't harm us. Hope to see you on Sunday, my brothers and sisters."

I don't understand. Would Jesus only throw seeds on the lawn for the finches and not the crows? Do you favor the finches because they are brightly colored and delicate and their voices are so pleasant while the crows are course and unrefined? Wouldn't Jesus want you to treat ALL of His birds equally?

Jesus would surely want me to appeal to the government to step in and force you to buy the same amount of birdseed for the crows as you do the finches.

:-)