Posted by
Peter and Helen Evans on Sunday, May 20, 2007 1:00:56 PM
Following is an excerpt from an interview with Jim Tonkowich, President of the Institute of Religion and Democracy. Let's here what he has to say about the Church's stand on welfare and social justice:
Helen: Let's talk about social justice. That's something that's been proposed as a way to help the poor. Again, it sounds very nice when not analyzed. Everyone wants justice, but is it Christian?
Jim: The devil is in the details. People who go to the book of Isaiah and find the political platform of the Democratic party aren't playing quite fair. I think there is a certain amount of bait and switch happening. "Social Justice" has become a problematic term because it's been used so much by the left. It's their calling card term. You're right... who is not in favor of justice? It's a great idea in the abstract. "Should our society be just? Should there be economic justice?" Of course, but it depends how it's defined and the left has been defining it in socialist terms.
Peter: Yes, equality of outcomes rather than equality of opportunity. Pierre Trudeau was campaigning in Canada in 1968 under the banner of the "Just Society." He won on that platform, too.
Helen: The question still remains. It's fair, it's nice, but is it Christian?
Jim: Well, we must qualify it by saying what we mean by social justice. For instance, paying taxes is considered a "good thing." A recent article in the Wall Street Journal indicated that if you pay taxes, even a dime, you're part of 60% of the population. In other words, only 60% of the population pays taxes and taxation is "progressive" meaning, the more money you make, the more the IRS takes. Well, I'm not sure that's fair or just. Then many people are turning around and squawking about "tax breaks for the rich" but they are the only taxpayers. It's not justice to give tax breaks to people who are not paying taxes.
Obviously we don't want people kept at a disadvantage, we don't want a system where people are getting rich at the expense of others and there are people who will argue that the capitalist system we have works and others that will argue it doesn't.
Peter: Taxpayers can reasonably argue that the poor in North America are kept in relative comfort by their taxes; or at the expense of the rich. [see our article, ]
Jim: Yes, because the tax system has become an income re-distribution system.
Helen: Let's talk about some ideas about the rich that are in the air we breath. Some will quote Jesus saying that a camel can go through the eye of a needle easier than a rich man can get into heaven. Doesn't that mean the rich are bad?
Jim: Well, that idea is not thoroughly Biblical. You can't just pull out one verse and understand the doctrine. The Bible has stories of people who were wealthy beginning, in fact, with Abraham. Abraham was tremendously wealthy, as were Isaac and Jacob. Moses was a man of great privilege. Of course, you find Paul saying that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. It's not THE root of ALL evil - that's not a good translation. And it's the "love of money" not just "money" itself. Also, it's in 1 Timothy, where Paul specifically says to tell those who are rich in the world to be rich in good works. He specifically addresses those who are wealthy. Basically, he's saying to use your wealth wisely and be a good steward.
Helen: What about the parable where the rich man asks Jesus what to do to get to heaven and Jesus says give up all you have and follow me? Is that a judgment on all wealthy people?
Jim: No, that would be a very superficial reading of that text. That seems to be a call to Apostleship. Just as Peter was to give up his net, drop it and follow Jesus. They did it. It was the same call to that rich man. There are some who did precisely that. St. Francis was very wealthy and even took off all his clothes to give them to the poor. John Wesley made a fortune selling books and he gave it all away.
Helen: Are we all called to do that?
Jim: No, even speaking for ourselves, even speaking for myself. We American Christians need to examine our lifestyle. C. S. Lewis said you should not live up to your station in life. We should below the way we could live because, first, it would be ostentatious and, second, it allows you to give more.
Helen: So isn't that an argument for social justice?
Jim: No, social justice and redistribution of wealth are not the same, as I understand those terms. Redistribution of wealth is a state solution rather than a personal, virtuous decision.
To read the entire interview go to "http://peterandhelenevans.com/articles-JTonkowich2.html".
Peter and Helen Evans, "http://peterandhelenevans.com. This husband and wife team - freelance writers and speakers - teach a philosophical approach to conservatism, and are scheduled speakers at Blogging Man "http://www.bloggingman.org/" . They are also real estate agents in the Washington, DC area.
Jim Tonkowich is the president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy