#1 from Jim on May 15, 2009

You know Darcy, after reading this I can’t help but feel a little guilty about things I will complain about from time to time.

My car wont start…
Gas prices are too high…
The lineup at Costco is too long…

Thanks for making me think and appreciate all we have here in Canada.

#2 from Lorne on May 18, 2009

I am very glad that you, Darcy, have taken an interest in the responsibility of God’s people to pursue “justice” for all, especially those who are powerless to do so for themselves. I am glad that you are putting this issue on the map for us at Northview. The Bible is filled with commands and expressions of God’s concern related to “justice” and “righteousness.” In Biblical terms, “justice” is not primarily about courts, lawsuits or prosecutions. It is about the strong and the “haves” taking care of the weak and the “have-nots” such as widows and orphans. It includes such themes as paying fair wages and not delaying in paying back debts and about working and earning so we will have someting to give to those in need. I am sure our current series in James is going to confront us about our tendency to be respecters of persons and to honour the rich above the poor in our midst.

When Jesus began his earthly ministry, he proclaimed this “mission statement” (Luke 4:18-19) and then proceeded to live it out:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me.
    He has anointed me
    to tell the good news to poor people.
  He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners.
    He has sent me so that the blind will see again.
  He wants me to free those who are beaten down.

  And he has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free.” —(Isaiah 61:1,2)

We are in Christ and the same Spirit who anointed him anoints us for the same mission. Did not Jesus tell us, “Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

When I am tempted to not dig too deeply into reports of injustice, I am convicted by Proverbs 24:1-12 “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.  If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
    Does not he who guards your life know it?
    Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

So, Darcy,bring it! But we also need to inquire of the Lord as to what are the things really on his heart in this regard. We must rescue the perishing -the kids being sexually exploited, and the weak ones being crushed by the strong. But is the church of Jesus also to spend its time and resources on analyzing the oilsands developments like out own MCC is doing? See http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/05/17/edm-churches-oilsands.html?ref=rss

It is good we are pursuing justice, but what does that mean?

#3 from Lorne Welwood on June 02, 2009

There is a “justice” question right here in BC. See, for example, http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090602/national/kgb_deportation

First Lutheran Church in Vancouver has taken in Mikhail Lennikov to prevent his deportation. Is this a proper role for the church of Jesus? If it is “just” to do this, then yes. Should the fact that he once was a low level operative for the KGB mean he should be split from his family, unable to earn and support them? Is he any real security threat to Canada? His supporters say no, but the letter of the law says he does not qualify for permanent residence here. Should there be “justice” without “mercy?”

Would Northview ever do such a thing? If yes, on what basis? If not, why not?

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