The Deity of Self

We are now moving into a new section in our journey which is that of the "Compassionate Life", which might be loosely translated as social justice. This weeks writer is a twentieth century Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury,  William Temple (1181-1944), who shares some thoughts on the subject with us.

He suggests that the church has two basic roles in social justice. Firstly it is to announce Christian principles to the existing social order and point out where society is at odds with them. Secondly the church must pass on to Christian citizens acting in their regular life the task of reshaping that order and moving into closer proximity to the Christian principles. As someone who is very interested in social justice I am in reasonable agreement with those ideals.

 I guess the problems may arise with varied methods decided on by individuals and Christian organisations; churches, "para-churches" and aid agencies about what that might look like. Temple suggests that our role isn't solving all the problems but highlighting the need and where society has strayed from the principles of scripture. I am not sure that I can totally live there in the arena of social justice. I personally believe we have to a more defined active role that makes us part of the solution as a Christian. Rather than just as Christian individuals within some wider premise of being a good citizen.

One of the things that he later brings up is the simple fact we are "self-centred". I think we are probably even more obviously self-centred than people were in the earlier part of the Twentieth Century when he wrote this. We seem to have made "I" a socially acceptable art form with self awareness, self actualisation self help, self talk, personal visions and the list goes on.

The almighty "I" seems to be very much alive and well. This would definitely seem to be a real impediment to social justice. Because while we are so absorbed in finding out who "I" am and what "I" want, others are homeless, starving and going to Hell while we watch. I guess for me this is why the social justice section is placed towards the end of the book, so that Spirit of God can make us God focussed and therefore we replace the god of Self with the Trinity. There by making us God focussed and in that same process we become "others focussed".   Focussed on making a difference for others who are ultimately change and grow themselves.

Be part of the solution help someone out this week.