Last month FOX News personality Glenn Beck had unkind words for churches that emphasize social justice. In the weeks since Beck's comments, many justice-oriented church leaders have come forth to defend social justice and its place in Christian tradition. Social justice isn't a new idea; but all this talk about how and whether Christians should use the phrase gives us an opportunity to explore its meaning. What, exactly, is social justice? What is the relationship between justice and righteousness? And why does social justice matter to the church? Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 8:1-20; Isaiah 32; Luke 4:16-21; 10:25-37. May sweeps, one of the periods during which Nielsen Media Research collects television ratings data, begins later this week. For the next four weeks, television networks will be going all-out to attract viewers. As always, May will feature many highly anticipated season finales. (And this May, by popular demand, Betty White will be hosting Saturday Night Live.) Next week, in honor of May sweeps, we'll look at how God has gone all-out to get our attention and how we can go all-out in our devotion to God.
