Social Justice
The Salvation Army as an international movement and an evangelical branch of the universal Christian Church, believes that all people are made in the image of God and that each person, in the eyes of God, has value, worth and dignity.
The Salvation Army has from its inception applied Biblical principles to the social problems presented by humanity and society, and this continues to be our work. We believe that Jesus Christ is the answer for humanity's deepest need.
The Bible consistently emphasises justice, and particularly social justice.
in how people are treated
in the just division of resources
in how people relate to each other
in caring for others
(Zechariah 7: 9-10)
Jesus taught the two-fold responsibility - to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul,strength and mind, and your neighbour as yourself.
The Bible teaches against:
the luxury of the rich and the deprivation of the poor
pride and arrogance
indifference to the needs of others
oppression and exploitation of the poor
institutional corruption
It teaches:
responsibility and accountability for others out of our love for God.
(Romans 13: 8-10)
The Salvation Army recognises that poverty can never be completely eradicated, but acknowledges its Christian responsibility to the powerless and those suffering economic hardship. We therefore have as our purpose, to glorify God, to bring others to know Him and to so live and work in society that each person has the opportunity to live with worth and dignity.
1 comment:
I think I could sign on to that!
The only thing I might quibble withg is the idea that poverty can never be eliminated. I believe extreme poverty - ie. people living on less than a dollar a day - can and should be eliminated in our time.
Grace,
Aaron
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