Last week, on his radio show, Glenn Beck condemned churches that promote “social justice”.
“I beg you, look for the words ’social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church web site,” Beck urged his audience. “If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words. Now, am I advising people to leave their church? Yes!”
He claims social justice is “a perversion of the Gospel,” and “not what Jesus would say” and fears that concern for social justice is a problem “infecting all” faiths.
Many people are upset with Beck for these remarks and Rev. Jim Wallis, a prominent evangelical argued :
“I don’t know if Beck is just strange, just trying to be controversial, or just trying to make money. But in any case, what he has said attacks the very heart of our Christian faith, and Christians should no longer watch his show.”
Religious conservatives have long argued that government-run welfare is ineffective or that it undermines genuine charitable instincts by non-state actors. But the claim that charity in and of itself is irreligious is new and bizarre.
Of course, I don’t know why anyone would listen to Beck’s interpretation of gospel. But many people regard his opinions on economics, history, or foreign policy to be worthy, so why should theology be spared?
I have always been amazed at conservatism’s ability to use anti-government animus to hold together vastly different ideological positions. Surely Beck’s version of the “libertarian gospel” is pushing the limits of that coalition.
