Part 1 (of a 3 part series.)
Is there a problem of injustice in our world? If so, as Christians we need to seek a solution!
There is a new ‘virtue’ that is taking many by storm inside and outside of our denomination, as it seeks to solve the dilemma of injustice. Is being woke, and implementing its philosophy the solution to the legitimate problem of injustice? There are three parts to this article.
Part 1. Addresses what ‘woke’ means and we will call it- solution A to the problem of injustice, while also viewing injustice from a Biblical standpoint and we will call it solution B. (Bible)
Part 2. We will examine woke ideology more fully and compare its tenets alongside solution B according to Scripture.
Part 3. It all comes down to worship. Specifically, how does woke ideology compare with the three angels messages of Revelation 14.
According to google, the word ‘Woke’ can be understood by their adherents: ‘as those individuals who are ‘informed, educated and aware of social injustices and have progressive values that remain vigilant against injustices, especially in the face of discrimination and violence against an oppressed group of individuals. These oppressed groups are often associated within identity in regards to: race, color, gender, sexual preferences, etc.’ It is maintained that such identities groups are to be protected because they have a shared experience as a victimized group and are in need to social justice. There and two basic groups: the oppressors and the oppressed.’
So lets be honest—injustice does happen. Individuals and particular groups have in fact been historically mistreated. To deny that injustice exists, would be to deny the fallen condition of the human heart.
Before delving into woke solution A, let us first review Gods version of Biblical justice B, because God doesn’t merely request that we do justice, He commands it!
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily… and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness as the noonday” (Isaiah 58:6,8,10).
“Cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow…” (Isaiah 1:16).
Without exception, every human being is precious and created in the image of God. Each ultimately belongs of God by creation and redemption. We are to treat every person as precious image bearers, recognizing that all are Gods children and deserve more than our good intentions. This means we need to distinguish between true Biblical justice and its counterfeit. The same God who commands us to seek justice, commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to, “prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” As Christians we must have a quest for justice.
The problem happens when our quest for justice is not compatible with the Bible. Truth cannot be sacrificed on the alter of any extra-biblical humanistic ideology.
Disclaimer: Social justice that flows from Scripture is not synonymous with either the Republican or the Democratic Parties or its policies. There are plenty of problems on both the right and left sides of the political aisles, thats a separate topic! I pray we can set aside tribalism and confirmation bias and seek the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, who will not be placed into a leftist or rightist ideology. Rather, we must recognize that all truth is in Christ and in His Word, and it’s more important to keep our focus on The Way, The Truth, and The Life, rather than than be influenced by propaganda in the media outlets of our day.
What is the root cause of oppression and injustice, and what is the remedy? Is it an evil political system, a construct that must be abolished in order to free the oppressed groups from the oppressors? We know from even a scant understanding of history, that some systems of government are more oppressive than others. However, if we allow unbiblical world views to shape our view of justice, we may even unwittingly cross the line from Christian truth tellers, into a danger zone that results in hurting instead of helping others. Some woke adherents are well-meaning individuals who happen to care about those of whom Christ cares about. However, does their worldview lines up with Scripture? We will examine their tenants and doctrines.
A Woke Worldview
The ‘progressive’ world view is the idea that society itself is comprised of two basic groups. Those who are the oppressors and those who are the oppressed.
The oppressed need to be protected from the oppressors, and must be given a ‘safe place' where their ideology isn’t threatened with micro-aggressions or ‘hateful’ speech. It is believed that either you are on the side of the oppressed, or you are shutting down and denying the reality of injustice, and ignoring oppressed voices. Guilt of the oppressors is inherently through your color, gender, race, religion, etc.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an example of woke ideology. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, May 28, 2020, ‘the view that the law and legal institutions are inherently racist and that race itself, instead of being biologically grounded and natural, is a socially constructed concept that is used by white people to further their economic and political interests at the expense of peoples of color.’
It’s interesting to note that guilt is placed on individual groups the are inherently immoral, rather than individuals being held accountable for wrong. However, Jeremiah 31:30 says the opposite, “ But everyone shall die for his own iniquity.” While it is true that we have failed to treat people as image bearers and have also failed to embody the gospel; we must be careful not to fall prey to unbiblical solutions to the sin problem. Unfortunately, (due in part of our own insubordination), and the general downward turn of morality, we are now living in what appears to be a secular world view by the majority, even within our ranks.
Ellen White wrote these pointed words, to our church in her time,
“At Minneapolis…Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit…The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world…The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been kept away from the world” (1SM 234,345).
Why Are false ideologies fast replacing Scripture? In part, because we as a church have failed to give the gospel in its beauty and and have fallen short of our mission as priesthood of all believers. When we lack Holy Spirit power we turn to the state to solve the problems of society. For every action there is a reaction and woke is a reaction due to our inaction! Humans are problem solvers. If one idea isn’t working, try another! As a result we have woke ideology—which is only one of many extra-biblical world views.
Let us dive deeper into why woke ideology feels like a solution to woke social justice A adherents, as we delve into the roots of woke ideology—which is relativism. You will see why woke ideology would not exist without relativism at its foundation. Relativism teaches the dangers of absolute truth. Why? Because woke ideology fears that absolutism leads to intolerance. As a result-your truth is your truth, and my truth is my truth, and everyones own truth is relative; there are no absolute truths. Anything goes! It is a modern replacement for the Biblical inalienable rights of the individual- of which used to be the traditional grounds for a free society. ‘We hold these truths self evident’, was the rationalists dream. No longer.
Is Biblical justice B able to survive on an inner-directed value system? Today, according to google, ‘Love is love,’ is a common phrase which, ‘affirms the validity and equality of all loving relationships, asserting that all forms of mutually felt love are good and should be respected and free from judgement, regardless of gender or sexual orientations of the people involved.’ One is encouraged to listen to ‘your heart’ for your own set of values. In the past generations one was to find God and become humble and come to see their true depravity- left alone without God, and as a result- to embrace a new identity in Christ Jesus, realizing that,“the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
In contrast to the inner directed woke ideology, Christ Himself said, “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak…” John 8:28 and Galatians 2:20 guides us in how we are to be directed, “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” In contrast to woke ideology, Biblical justice B is not relative and is not up for debate, it is as absolute as God Himself!
To be continued in Part 2. Where did wokeness originate? Is it a new religion?
****
Jewell