On June 19 of this year I had the privilege of meeting in the iconic Herb’s House coffee shop in Dallas with 13 other men to discuss our common concerns about some teachings and practices being advocated in the name of “social justice.” We had never been in a room together but all accepted the invitation of Josh Buice, who was aware that we had similar perspectives on this growing movement.
After comparing notes and reviewing some of the more troubling dimensions of this movement’s impact on evangelical churches and organizations, we determined to make a public stand together in hopes of warning about the dangers we see in some of what is being promoted in the name of social justice.
Interestingly, and in a way that confirmed the importance of our efforts, we discovered that several of us had described the errors of this movement as the most serious threat to the gospel that we have seen. That is certainly the way that I see it and my fear is that if these issues are not addressed and errors corrected then we will soon be longing for the days when we were fighting over Calvinism and Arminianism.
Today “The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel” is being released to address the concerns that were articulated in that June 19th meeting. It has been produced to encourage a closer examination of things that should be most surely believed among evangelical Christians as well as things that should be most surely rejected. Our hope is that thoughtful Christians will consider the statement and be compelled to go back to the Word of God for careful study as the issues raised are evaluated.
Here is the beginning of the statement’s introduction:
In view of questionable sociological, psychological, and political theories presently permeating our culture and making inroads into Christ’s church, we wish to clarify certain key Christian doctrines and ethical principles prescribed in God’s Word. Clarity on these issues will fortify believers and churches to withstand an onslaught of dangerous and false teachings that threaten the gospel, misrepresent Scripture, and lead people away from the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Specifically, we are deeply concerned that values borrowed from secular culture are currently undermining Scripture in the areas of race and ethnicity, manhood and womanhood, and human sexuality.
Take time to read the rest of the statement, including the 14 articles of Affirmation and Denial by going here.
