In our first article, we defined social justice as greed motivated and state orchestrated theft. We also contrasted Christian altruism with social justice activism.
Furthermore, we gave some examples of healthy ministries endorsed by the General Conference that are helping Adventist youth be the healing hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
Finally, we discovered that Christianity works by love and harmonizes with the law of God. On the other hand, social justice leads to lawlessness and entangles the church in corrupt politics, even blurring the lines between church and state.
This second installment is quite long, but it’s necessary to carefully investigate how the toxic ideas of Marxism operate through the social justice framework.
[Editor’s Note: Our normal word limit on articles is 2100 words. This article is 5100 words, however we felt that its content and scholarship deserves an exception. Enjoy!]
Like Odysseus’ warriors, once given access to the church, this entity drops from the wooden belly of the social justice movement and begins demeaning, dividing and destroying. Make no mistake, social justice is not about restoration, it’s about revolution. It’s not about healing; it’s about hating!
Marxist vs Christian Worldview
The writings of Karl Marx provide a self-contained worldview that directly competes with the Everlasting Gospel and the biblical truth of creation. Marxism offers a comprehensive worldview for any society or individual that turns its back on God and seeks to promote an atheist and humanist understanding of life and justice, free from any moral expectations or accountability to God.
Both the Bible, and Marxism, provide differing answers to our human origin. According to the Bible, we are created by a loving, personal God for communion with Him and loving sacrificial love for each other. According to Marx, there is no God. Only matter is dynamic, containing the power of motion, change and development (known as dialectical materialism).
The universe is a self-contained, self-originating machine moving towards its ultimate goal which is a classless society. A communist utopia.
According to the Bible, it was the Fall in Eden that caused all human suffering and oppression. But to Marx, it was the creation of private property which led to all the evils of exploitation, class struggle and social injustice.
For Christians, the solution to the Fall is entering the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ, in which we live in the Kingdom of Grace today and the coming Kingdom of Glory tomorrow when Jesus returns.
For Marxists, the solution to society’s ills is revolution by the urban proletariat against their capitalist masters, to recreate the original classless society, with full equality of outcome for all, free from any moral behavioral demands based upon a divinely created order. (Of course, the Party expects conformity to “politically correct” behaviors and beliefs, but these are impermanent and constantly shifting.)
Sidenote: The Marxist worldview follows a parallel pattern to the Biblical worldview. Creation, the fall, and man’s redemption in the Biblical worldview are replaced by Evolution, the catastrophe of private property, and a ultimately the development of a classless society, in the Marxist worldview.
Killer Ideology
This Marxist ideology provides the necessary justification for all the evils perpetrated in its name over the past 180 years.
As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said, “to do evil a human being must first of all believe that what he's doing is good...Ideology - that is what gives evildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the necessary steadfastness and determination.”
History shudders when it recalls the Russian Revolution of 1917, led by Vladimir Lenin & the Bolsheviks, and the USSR between the 1920s -1953 under Joseph Stalin’s dictatorship.
To impose Marxist theory, between 1900-1987, it is estimated that more than 110 million people were deliberately killed in mass deportations, concentration camps, re-education camps, labor camps, Pol Pot and the killing fields of Cambodia, Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, internal repressions, and man-made famines.
Marxism is believed to be responsible for more deaths than any other ideology in human history!
Jesus predicted that killer ideologies aimed at His followers would come, and Marxism is certainly one of them. “A time is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2, emphasis added).
Moreover, as we just discovered, Marxism is a religion, with its own twisted creation and redemption story. The Apostle Paul warns, “...if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9).
Marxism is a killer ideology with a false gospel.
Marxist Justice
In political terms, social justice is Marxist justice. In Why Social Justice is not Biblical Justice, Scott David Allen writes,
“Many Christians have only a vague awareness of this ideology and consequently don’t see the danger. When they hear ‘social justice’ they assume it is no different than biblical justice. Of course, justice is a deeply biblical idea, but this new ideology is far from biblical. It is, in fact, a comprehensive worldview rooted in Marxist and postmodern presuppositions that competes with a biblical worldview.” (p.13, emphasis added).
Let’s pause here and agree, regardless of one’s political views, that no political or secular worldview, should be dressed up in pure raiment and presented to God’s children as Christianity 101. God calls Adventists to grow His kingdom using Biblical methods—not the faulty and even nefarious methods of this world (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Ellen White put it practically like this,
“Christ’s method alone will give success in reaching people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs. Then He invited them, “Follow me...we need to come close to the people by personal effort. If we would give less time to sermonizing and more time to personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice. Accompanied with the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit” (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing p. 73, emphasis added)
Thoroughly Equipped
For any who question the Bible as an all-sufficient guide or toolkit for healing societal issues, the following passage “begs to differ”:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timohty 3:16-17).
Cornelius Van Til put it well when he said “The Bible is thought of as authoritative on everything of which it speaks. Moreover, it speaks of everything” (Christian Apologetics, p. 19). So how does Marxism work within the social justice paradigm?
Marxianity
It is the firm conviction of this writer, that most of our Adventist youth have little or no idea what social justice really is or where it is leading them.
The reason they are often seduced and led astray by its siren song, is simply because watchmen on the walls of Zion, i.e. pastors, parents, teachers, administrators and all who see the danger, say nothing and fail to present the compelling biblical alternative!
This has certainly been my shortcoming, which I hope to remedy in this series!
In his pivotal book “Marxianity,” Brannon S. Howse warns that through Liberation Theology many Christian preachers and professors are now attempting to merge Marxism and Christianity (p. 9). But truth and error don’t mix! (2 Corinthians 6:14).
All whose discernment is guided by Scripture, will be able to identify these false teachers and reject their un-biblical messages.
It is our prayer that this series of articles will help unbind the strongmen in our churches and empower them to “...contend earnestly for the faith...” (Matthew 12:29, Jude 3).
Conflict Theory
Karl Marx proposed in the 1840s that history is driven by class struggle in which the bourgeoisie (the capitalist or ownership class in society that owns the economic, industrial and financial capital), exploits the proletariat (working class) through their control of the means of production. All the profits in such a system accrue to the bourgeoisie, not to the workers (the proletariat).
This economic base shapes society’s superstructure—its culture, politics, and ideology. Marx taught that capitalism’s inherent contradictions, such as wealth inequality, inequality of opportunity, and a lack of opportunities for social mobility, would lead to endless crises, ultimately prompting a proletarian revolution in which all private property would be abolished, and a classless, stateless, communist society would be established in which the state would control the means of production and the fruits (profits) would be distributed equally across the proletariat.
Imagine
Once this is accomplished, the all-powerful and global state will disband itself (wink, wink) and humanity will live peacefully together in a world without God and without religion, much like the communist utopia described in John Lennon’s 1971 song “Imagine.”
Unsurprisingly, a similar atheistic vision was cast by Satan in heaven just before he was cast out and just before he brought hell to earth (Revelation 12:9, Genesis 3). He too envisioned a world without God or His law, and believed both applied an unnecessary restraint that, if removed, would allow all to achieve a more exalted and glorious state of existence. Lucifer/Satan taught that God’s creatures were naturally “holy” and would do only good if left to themselves (Great Controversy 495-499).
Of course, this grossly contradicts both Paul and Christ’s teaching that the human heart is naturally depraved. Ellen White goes on to say “the same spirit that prompted rebellion in heaven still inspires rebellion on earth. Satan has continued with men the same policy which he pursued with the angels” (Romans 7:24-25, 8:4, John 2:24, Matthew 15:19).
Socialism is Marxism
Some wonder if there is a difference between Socialism and Communism. In her cautionary book, Mao’s America: A Survivors Warning, Xi Van Fleet wrote of her experiences growing up in communist China. She points out that in Mao’s schools, “socialism” and “communism” were used interchangeably. They were simply part of the following six stages which Marxists believe every country must go through in its social development.
1). Primitive Society (Hunters/gatherer society)
2). Slavery
3). Feudalism
4). Capitalism
5). Socialism
6). Communism
Notice that the ultimate reality or utopia in the Marxist plan is communism, with socialism being an earlier stage of development. Although communism has brought horrific results wherever it’s been implemented, its proponents excuse its atrocities, by claiming it will magically work once the whole world complies with its dictates!
This is why Marxists loudly promote globalization and have an evangelistic-like furor about them. Make no mistake, Marxism, and therefore social justice, is missional and it is in fierce competition with The Great Commission!
The fact that 58% of young professionals (millennials), now find some form of socialism desirable should be a harbinger of what is to come and evidence that Marxism is effectively winning the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Watchmen on the Walls of Zion...Wake up!
Students of Bible prophecy should also see how this Marxist vision is compatible with that of “the beast” and “dragon” power in Revelation 13 (more on this in our next article).
Oppressed and Oppressor
Rather than seeing the world divided between the saved and the lost, Marxists see the world as divided between oppressed and oppressors. Rather than seeing the solution as spiritual, Marxists seek to impose an economic and political solution.
“Hitherto, every society has been based, as we have already seen, on the antagonism of oppressing and oppressed classes…the history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggle. Freeman and slave…lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman, in a word oppressor and oppressed” (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles, The Communist Manifesto p. 9).
This is why when Christians fully embrace Marxist ideology, they become political activists rather than gospel workers. Evangelism takes a back seat to Marxist methods of agitating against supposed systems of societal oppression. This is unfortunate, since it is only through the gospel, that harmony, healing, and heart change is possible!
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Ephesians 2:13-16).
For those tempted to consider the Gospel irrelevant to societal concerns, and believe that Marxist methods are more effective for achieving a just society, the following quote is a beautiful corrective:
“The giving of the gospel to the world is the work that God has committed to those who bear His name. For earth's sin and misery, the gospel is the ONLY antidote. To make known to all mankind the message of the grace of God is the first work of those who know its healing power… (Ministry of Healing, p. 142, emphasis added).
Modern Marxism
The truth is that social justice is a rebranding of Marx’s basic approach. It simply exchanges Marx’s proletariat for some currently preferred disadvantaged group. Next, it assigns blame to another identity group for the “disadvantages” and just like that, an “oppressed” vs “oppressor” dynamic is created.
Then like old Marxism, neo-Marxism allows envy, greed, and hatred to do their baleful work, creating division and by design, a shift in power. This is called the “Hegelian Dialectic” process which Howse defines as follows:
“The strategy consists in creating cultural conflict by generating scenarios that intentionally pit one view of an issue against another, and then proposing a socialistic approach (the economic system underlining communism) as the solution...thus hoodwinking the unsuspecting populace.” (Marxianity, p. 9).
But why did Marxism need to rebrand itself?
In 1973, Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s Gulag Archipelago was published, sending shock waves around the world, destroying communism’s moral authority in the eyes of many. Also, by the mid 20th Century it had become clear that workers in Capitalistic countries were not interested in disrupting their lives by attacking those who made their salaries possible, since they were living much more comfortably than their ancestors had, and certainly better than workers in communist countries.
So, Marxists shifted their approach from stirring up animosity based on economic roles to addressing power dynamics along the lines of race, gender and sexuality. Tapping into America’s “original sin of slavery,” they found desperately needed moral clout with which to attack America, and endless opportunities to agitate especially within America’s educational and political arenas.
Oppressed vs Oppressors
In this updated Marxist worldview, ethnic minorities, non-white immigrants, women, and LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Allies plus others) adherents became the “oppressed” class.
Those tagged as “oppressors,” the new “bourgeoisie,” are white, able-bodied, heterosexual, Christian, and male (See, e.g., Voddie Baucham: “Biblical Justice vs. Social Justice,” https://youtu.be/i60eQZPG5XM.)
In due course, coercion then force is employed to take “wealth, commodities, opportunities and privileges” from the “oppressors,” and redistribute them to those labeled “oppressed.” This is what social justice calls “equity,” but God calls it theft, a violation of the 8th Commandment, and a deeply disturbing, anti-Christian form of injustice!
Sidenote: Christian churches and institutions that naively embrace social justice are often shocked to discover that they have joined forces with the LGBTQIA+ community as well as anti-white, anti-male, and even anti-church rhetoric.
Disparity is Discrimination?
How does one know when they are being oppressed by the new Bourgeoisie? Social justice activists claim that disparities of outcome, unequal outcomes in society across social groups, are automatic evidence of injustice. Whenever the “oppressors” have more wealth, power, influence, access or success than the “oppressed,” this is regarded as proof of discrimination.
If on the other hand, the “oppressed” have more than the “oppressors,” this is considered “justice.” The alleged goal is equal outcomes for all groups in society. Historically, engineered compliance to the Marxist agenda has never led to a utopia, unless by utopia one means corruption, poverty, brutality and mass death!
Sidenote: The term Utopia literally means “no place,” or “nowhere.” But when it comes to Marxism and therefore social justice, “utopia” should really be redefined as hell on earth!
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, a radical disciple of Marx, used this concept of disparity between the Kulaks (mostly small farmers, “wealthy” enough to own some land and few farm animals) and the Soviet people, to promote “dekulakization.” This policy, under Stalin, led ultimately to the deliberate mass murder by starvation of up to 12 million small farmers across the Ukraine and the Caucasus.
As Pravda (“truth”), the official Soviet newspaper, wrote at the time to justify the mass murder on a scale never seen before in human history, “As individuals, the Kulaks are guilty of nothing. As a class, they are guilty of everything.”
[Editor’s note: An excellent movie about the Ukraine “famine”: Mr. Jones (2019). James Norton plays Gareth Jones, a Welshman who discovered and exposed the fact that harvests were plentiful, but Stalin was confiscating all the grain and selling it abroad for hard currency to fund other priorities of the Soviet state, leaving the Ukrainians to starve to death by the millions. Meanwhile, New York Times reporter Walter Duranty (played by Peter Skarsgaard, who portrays Duranty as the sleazy monster he must have been) did everything possible to cover up the enormous crime. This is one of the most effective anti-communist movies ever made. (Note: graphic and disturbing, with a scene of cannibalism; for adults only.)]
In this outworking of Marxist ideology, the Soviets went from differentiating between groups on economic lines through the standard “oppressor” and “oppressed” prism, to understanding different groups as being inherently virtuous or intrinsically evil, and hence worthy of extermination.
Unlike many social justice advocates today, Marx knew where his worldview would lead:
“We have no compassion, and we ask no compassion from you. When our turn comes, we shall not make excuses for terror. There is only one way in which the murderous death agonies of the old society and the bloody birth throes of the new society can be shortened, simplified, and concentrated, and that way is revolutionary terror (Karl Marx, Suppression of the Neue Rheinische Zietung, May 18, 1849).
Marx was correct. His “doctrine of demons” has not only devastated economies and shipwrecked souls but has also led to the deaths of over 100 million in the USSR, China, and other countries around the world (Stephane Courtois, et al, The Black Book of Communism, p. 4, 1999).
Marxism is a death cult and wherever it is taught, seeds of violence and even genocide are planted! Jesus said, “by their fruits you shall know them.” When we apply this litmus test to Marxism, we should be stirred to reject social justice and drive this wooden albatross from our churches and away from our children! (Matthew 7:15-20).
Echoes of this dangerous “disparity equals injustice” deception can be heard in the United States today. For example, social justice activist Ibram X Kendi believes not only that there should be a Constitutional Amendment stating that “Racial inequity is evidence of racial policy…” but that it should be enforced by adding to government a Department of Antiracism (Ibram X. Kendi, “Pass an Anti-Racist Constitutional Amendment,” Politico, 2019).
Anyone who dares suggest that disparities are caused by other factors such as education, skill, ethics, culture, talent, family dynamics, choice, intelligence, God (Proverbs 10:22) or, in the case of the Parable of the Talents--competency and character (Matthew 25:15, 23) or even sin (laziness, dishonestly, criminality etc.), quickly find themselves in the crosshairs of social justice movement.
They are often accused of “blaming the victim!” Then, like the Kulaks, they are diminished, de-platformed, cancelled, and ultimately endangered. Little do social justice influencers realize where this evil ideology is taking them and their unfortunate followers!
Watchmen on the walls of Zion wake up!
Equality of Outcome
Equality of outcome is the Marxist’s, and therefore social justice warrior’s, dream. But as beautiful as it sounds, it conceals thunder. It is both naive and dangerous!
Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister in the 1980s, understood this very well. She argued that if a society wanted equality of opportunity for everyone and invested in a nationwide K-12 education program in which everyone received a basic education, then equality of opportunity must of necessity lead to inequality of outcome.
Why would this be the case? Because some would work hard, others would do as little as possible. Some would invest spare cash in books to expand the mind, and others would invest spare cash in drugs, also to expand the mind (albeit in different ways). Give equality of opportunity, there will inevitably be inequality of outcome. You cannot have both equality of opportunity and equality of outcome because of the variability of human endowment, motivation, intelligence, strength, virtue, etc.
This classic liberal worldview, involving the striving for equal access to equal basic opportunities for all, is now replaced with the unachievable quest for “equality of outcome.”
Thus, no matter how hard one works, no matter the wisdom or folly of one’s life choices, no matter whether one drinks water or vodka, all must be guaranteed an equal outcome in society. The net effect of an “equality of outcome” goal for society is that those who can, increasingly don’t, and those who can’t or won’t simply don’t.
Social and economic stagnation sets in, quality standards collapse, and eventually the entire system collapses, because no individual has any incentive whatsoever to strive for excellence, to use their God-given abilities, and to advance themselves, or their family. This leads to economic and social stagnation, as witnessed in the USSR during the years of Brezhnev onwards, leading to the eventual collapse of the USSR.
Sidennote: This might come as a shock to some, but under the leadership of William Bradford, the pilgrims tried “equality of outcome.” It almost wiped them out, for all the reason mentioned above. Fortunately, they switched to a “system of private ownership and individual responsibility, and productivity soared” (Brannon Howse, Marxianity, p. 16).
Working for what you have is not just a biblical principal it is a Divine command. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10, emphasis added).
Social Engineering
Because equality of outcome can never happen in system governed by simple laws uniformly applied, there needs to be massive social engineering by an all-powerful Socialist state. Thus, in the USSR, the Communist Party assumed absolute control, nobody could question their authority, and they re-engineered through the decades in a futile attempt to create equality of outcome for everybody else.
It was said that the only place where full equality was reached between all people was in the Siberian forced-labor camps where life was short, brutal and death was a merciful release from the suffering!
Intersectionality
As if the disparity and equality of outcome hoaxes were not enough to inflame society and create further division, in 1989, Kimberley Crenshaw introduced Intersectionality, which some have called “ the oppression olympics.” Intersectionality is a concept that arose out of Critical Race Theory (CRT) which we will study later in this series.
According to Crenshaw, race, gender, sexuality and other identity markers are understood to be cultural constructs rather than absolute realities, yet oppression is experienced along all these dimensions and sometimes along multiple dimensions, e.g. black, disabled, lesbians experience oppression along the axes of race, disability and sexual orientation.
Intersectionality empowers people in the “oppressed” group, to compete to have multiple axes of alleged oppression, thus giving their voices more legitimacy and rank vis-a-vis other social justice activists.
Today we can see the toxic results this is having on society. An ever-growing number of people now see themselves as victims in competition with each other and at war with the “oppressors.”
Obviously, this is not a solution, but a recipe for societal agitation and never-ending division as people sub-divide into smaller groups, with ever increasing fury and entitlement toward vengeance!
Jesus warned that this kind of global freezing would be a sign of His soon return. He said, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Sidenote: The idea that there are many different races is false. The Bible teaches that there is only one race, the human race (Acts 17:26, Ephesians 2:13-16).
As one preacher apply put it, “we are all one race of many colors.”
Standpoint Epistemology
“Intersectionality” lends itself to the equally disturbing teaching found in social justice called “standpoint epistemology.”
The idea here is that a person who identifies as a member of the “oppressed” class has “critical insight” not only into their own subjective “lived experiences” (which makes sense), but also into the implicit and explicit biases of those within the “oppressive” class (you might want to read that again).
This “gnostic” superpower to judge the thoughts and intents of others with increased authority depending on their standing on the “Intersectionality” ladder, is essentially playing God! (Sandra Harding, The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader: Intellectual and Political Controversies, 2004 p. 7-8, Fault Lines, Voddie T. Barcham Jr. p. 93-94).
Jesus said, “…I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:23).
When it comes to biblical justice, only God can judge’ one’s conscious or unconscious bias which He does based on “each” one’s individual “works,” not on their political or racial identity groups (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Frankly, for fallible human beings to claim the ability to do what only God can do, is buffoonery at best and blasphemy at worst! (Exodus 20:1-6, John 10:33).
Truth is Subjective
The Bible is the Christian’s best guide on how to actively relieve suffering in the world, but it is also well able to deliver thoughtful readers from the compassionate sounding but counterbiblical teachings found in the belly of the social justice movement (Isaiah 8:20).
However, Social justice advocates teach that a person's subjective lived experience is now the ultimate guide to one’s personal truth. They argue that an appeal to an objective, external source of authority, e.g. the Bible, is intrinsically an act of oppression.
Therefore, the Biblical call from Gospel preachers to repent of sin including the LGBTQIA+ lifestyles, is to be rejected, since the appeal is based on a revealed morality in an external source – the Bible, which is an act of oppression.
The Bible is now considered by many to be the ultimate source of oppression in the West, as it rebukes, reproves, exhorts, commands, teaches and guides, and invites every member of humanity to put off the old man, and become a new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15).
The logical conclusion is, as Marx wanted all along, the elimination of the Judeo-Christian worldview and the expulsion of Scripture from society. Thus, intentionally or unintentionally, the elimination of the Christian witness, the rejection of Christianity, the Bible and of Jesus Christ becomes the endgame for social justice warriors!
Sidenote: If you have a courageous pastor or professor who preaches the unvarnished truth of God’s word, you are profoundly blessed in these last days!
For the bible warns “... the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Moreover in 2 Thessalonians the bible warns that many will be deceived and lost because they “refused to love the truth and so be saved” (verse 10).
Gloomy Worldview
One can see how these gloomy and unbiblical aspects of social justice can cause evil surmising even within the church—the perfect climate for the divisive Marxist agenda. Jesus warned, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness…” (Matthew 6:22-23).
In the final chapter in Steps to Christ, entitled “Rejoicing in the Lord,” Ellen White tells the story of a woman who had a gloomy outlook on life. She saw herself as a victim not only of her own “failures and mistakes” but of the “disappointments” others had caused her.
This woman reached out to the prophet for counsel and that night Ellen White had a dream that she was walking in a beautiful garden with this woman. But rather than noticing “the flowers and enjoying the fragrance” this woman, kept calling Mrs. Whites “attention to some unsightly briers.” The angel that was walking with them, turned to the woman and said “Let the thorns alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the roses, the lilies and the pinks.”
Ellen white went on to give this discouraged woman the following counsel.
It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life, —its iniquities and disappointments,—to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God from his own soul and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others. Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving His Father's throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne—these are the pictures which God would have us contemplate (EGW, SC, p. 117-118).
Notice, Sister White did not deny that there is pain and oppression in the world, or that some have not suffered more than others. Neither is she suggesting that we should be passive not active when we see injustice in the world.
What she is saying though, is that Christians must not get mired in all this, adopting an “oppression is everywhere” and “I am a victim” mentality. Instead, Christians should see themselves as triumphant in Christ! Seventh-day Adventist should gather around themselves “…God’s promises like fragrant flowers…” (p. 117).
Sidenote: Isn’t it interesting that it was the Devil not God who offered Eve “the knowledge of good and evil?” Our enemy specializes in worldviews that hyperfocus on evil and cause all who take part, to be consumed with discouragement and open to Christless solutions (Genesis 3:7). Dear friend, don’t eat the fruit!
Marxism and its atheistic belief system is in opposition to this counsel. It sees the world through the lens of oppression and criticizes everything. It cares little for the oppressed or for true justice but weaponizes grievance, to achieve power through division.
Unlike Christianity, Marxism is not interested in “civil rights” but in civil war! Social justice not only finds its roots in Marxism, but as we will discover in our next issue, it is rooted in Catholicism and Spiritualism.
Students of Bible prophesy and all watchmen on the wall of Zion! Beware of the “the beast” and “dragon” connection (Revelation 13:1-18). Along with Marxism, these two “warriors” are also hiding in the wooden belly of the social justice movement.
God help us!
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Gary Blanchard is President of the Northern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.