Christianity and Global Justice

Abstract

Abstract This chapter approaches the contributions of Christianity to just societies, governments, laws, and, more broadly, global justice from the perspective of Christian theological ethics. Problematizing the idea that Christian beliefs and action lead naturally or easily to social justice, the chapter contrasts three strands of the tradition: radical biblical discipleship, Augustine, and Aquinas. It registers the added complexities of global politics while taking note of new political, liberation, postcolonial, and decolonial theologies that represent the political perspectives and action of those most vulnerable to injustice. It proposes that the depth and extent of injustice caution against an overly sanguine Christian social ethics. Yet it defends Christian commitment to transformative politics on the basis of salvation in Jesus Christ, the death of Jesus on a cross, Christian hope, and social-ethical partnership among Christians and non-Christians. Christian social action should especially and innovatively target “from-the-ground-up” strategies by popular movements, by consumer boycotts, by faith traditions, by intermediary levels of government, by citizens and voters, and by governance authorities and agencies that work “below” the level of the state yet network with similar entities beyond state borders (such as regulatory agencies and judiciaries).