The Salvation Army and Social Justice Karen Shakespeare January 2010

From the local worshipping community to the international administration, social justice for The Salvation Army is rooted in faith, and characterised by action, particularly on behalf of the oppressed.

Why social justice ?

The Old Testament Justice is the foundation of God’s character; a justice that is revealed in love and mercy (Psalm 89:14). Justice is the foundation of God’s character; a justice that is revealed in love and mercy (Psalm 89:14). Human beings, who are created in the image of God, should reflect that character (Genesis 1:26-27). Human beings, who are created in the image of God, should reflect that character (Genesis 1:26-27).

The Old Testament The separation from God that is caused by human rebellion leads to injustice. Healing can only come through hesed, the relational, faithful and covenanted love of God (Isaiah 9:7, 1 John 1:9). The separation from God that is caused by human rebellion leads to injustice. Healing can only come through hesed, the relational, faithful and covenanted love of God (Isaiah 9:7, 1 John 1:9). The reign of God will bring reconciliation and restoration to human community. Justice is a sign of God’s Kingdom. The reign of God will bring reconciliation and restoration to human community. Justice is a sign of God’s Kingdom.

The New Testament The central theme of Jesus’ message is the coming of the Kingdom of God. The central theme of Jesus’ message is the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom will be inaugurated in Jesus and God’s justice will be re- asserted. The Kingdom will be inaugurated in Jesus and God’s justice will be re- asserted. The redemption offered through Jesus affects the whole of creation, including social structures (Colossians 1:20). The redemption offered through Jesus affects the whole of creation, including social structures (Colossians 1:20).

The New Testament Justice is therefore not only social justice, but Kingdom justice. It is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in human society. Justice is therefore not only social justice, but Kingdom justice. It is the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in human society. The justice of the Kingdom is the outworking of God’s covenant love for humanity. The justice of the Kingdom is the outworking of God’s covenant love for humanity.

The church….. …..must be a sign of God’s coming Kingdom …..must be a sign of God’s coming Kingdom …..should speak about justice …..should speak about justice ….. should act prophetically to bring about justice in a broken world. ….. should act prophetically to bring about justice in a broken world.

Think… When faced with a practical situation, how do we discern what is justice in God’s eyes? When faced with a practical situation, how do we discern what is justice in God’s eyes? How do we know how to act justly? How do we know how to act justly?

How can we work with other agencies?

The Salvation Army “at all times will be overtly and explicitly Christian” (Shaw Clifton 2008), but it is willing to engage in intelligent and sensitive networking with secular agencies in the cause of social justice.

Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides a framework for justice for the philosophy of many agencies and organizations.

This statement resonates deeply with a Christian understanding of the worth and dignity of every human being, creates common ground and makes space for working together in the cause of global social justice.

Are rights enough? Reinhold Niebuhr says that human justice will always be imperfect and that without the “grace” of love, justice is always diminished. Reinhold Niebuhr says that human justice will always be imperfect and that without the “grace” of love, justice is always diminished. Thus Biblical justice is not only an issue of human rights, but also of grace. Often we need to go beyond the ‘rights’ of people if we are to give them Kingdom justice. Thus Biblical justice is not only an issue of human rights, but also of grace. Often we need to go beyond the ‘rights’ of people if we are to give them Kingdom justice.

Read and Reflect… Read Matthew 20: 1-16 Is this a story of fairness, or of grace?

Consider… How might the Christian concept of Kingdom justice which is motivated by love influence The Salvation Army’s work with secular agencies? How might the Christian concept of Kingdom justice which is motivated by love influence The Salvation Army’s work with secular agencies?

What can we learn from history?

History demonstrates that the relationship of the church to the socio- political context has often shaped its response to society. History demonstrates that the relationship of the church to the socio- political context has often shaped its response to society. During the earliest days the Church was outside the structures of society, but eventually it became ‘respectable’, and in some cases an institution of society. During the earliest days the Church was outside the structures of society, but eventually it became ‘respectable’, and in some cases an institution of society.

Success and failure… Despite considerable influence for good, the close relationship between church and state has sometimes compromised the Church’s ability, or motivation, to work for social justice and social reform. Like the ‘court prophets’ of the Old Testament who tempered their prophecy to suit the mood of the time (Jeremiah 14:13), the church has failed to critique the prevailing wisdom. Despite considerable influence for good, the close relationship between church and state has sometimes compromised the Church’s ability, or motivation, to work for social justice and social reform. Like the ‘court prophets’ of the Old Testament who tempered their prophecy to suit the mood of the time (Jeremiah 14:13), the church has failed to critique the prevailing wisdom.

The Salvation Army Two of The Salvation Army traditions that have shaped our self- understanding and theology are particularly relevant to the area of social justice- Two of The Salvation Army traditions that have shaped our self- understanding and theology are particularly relevant to the area of social justice- a call to the marginalized a call to the marginalized a culture of activism. a culture of activism.

The roots of the movement in the East The roots of the movement in the East End of Victorian London, coupled with the social awareness of William and Catherine Booth, have ensured a historical commitment to the poor and marginalised throughout our history. The pursuit of social The pursuit of social justicebecame a feature of the Army’s response to societal need.

A challenge…. We need to acknowledge that as The Salvation Army has become more established, and in some countries, integrated into the fabric of society, we have sometimes preferred to work within the established norms of the culture, engaging in social service rather than speaking prophetically against the root causes of social injustice.

To consider…. Has The Salvation Army’s a-political policy, or acceptance of public funding affected our willingness to become involved in social justice issues? Has The Salvation Army’s a-political policy, or acceptance of public funding affected our willingness to become involved in social justice issues? Is it ever right not to pursue social justice? Can it be more costly to speak out than to remain silent? Is it ever right not to pursue social justice? Can it be more costly to speak out than to remain silent?

What should be the Army’s response in the 21 st century?

A re-exploration of a rich heritage and an honest appraisal of the demands of true discipleship are resulting in a resurgence of interest in issues of social justice at all levels of The Salvation Army. A re-exploration of a rich heritage and an honest appraisal of the demands of true discipleship are resulting in a resurgence of interest in issues of social justice at all levels of The Salvation Army.

When does social justice begin? When individuals take responsibility for living differently, offering a new model of being human as citizens of God’s Kingdom. When individuals take responsibility for living differently, offering a new model of being human as citizens of God’s Kingdom. When the church lives justly, creating an inclusive, counter-cultural society in which all are offered a place and none are marginalized. When the church lives justly, creating an inclusive, counter-cultural society in which all are offered a place and none are marginalized.

Think, reflect and act… What are the opportunities and challenges in your context? What are the opportunities and challenges in your context?

Isaiah 1:17 reads ‘Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.’ Throughout its history The Salvation Army has ‘encouraged' and provided for the oppressed.

An alternative reading of Isaiah 1:17 says ‘Seek Justice, I rebuke the oppressor.’ ‘Seek Justice, I rebuke the oppressor.’ The role of the prophet, as one who speaks forth the word of God, is therefore to challenge those structures which lead to oppression, marginalisation and poverty.

How should The Salvation Army live out its prophetic calling in the 21 st century? How should The Salvation Army live out its prophetic calling in the 21 st century?