Rev. Jim Wallis: Glenn Beck Is Wrong, Social Justice Is At The Heart Of Gospel (VIDEO)

Christian author and social justice advocate Rev. Jim Wallis appeared on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" Friday evening to talk about Glenn Beck's recent attack on churches and religious leaders who preach social justice.

Last week, Beck, a Mormon, told his fans to scour their churches for any mention of social justice or economic justice. He said that both terms are "code words" that were used by Nazis and Communists and that if a church preached either, one should "run as fast as you can!"

Wallis told "Countdown" guest host Lawrence O'Donnell that not only are Beck's claims false, they're at odds with the teachings of Jesus. Contrary to Beck's claims that social justice is a perversion of the gospel, Wallis told O'Donnell that helping the poor is at the heart of the gospel.

Wallis: "The God of the Bible is the God of justice. Though the poor are in the center of God's concern... Poverty breaks the heart of God. And it breaks the heart of the church. So, this is about Christians who may disagree on politics. Republicans, Democrats, it doesn't matter. Left or right. We have different views on the role of government. Doesn't matter, But justice is integral to the gospel. And across the spectrum, Christians are saying Glenn Beck got it wrong."

Wallis told O'Donnell that Mormon leaders have called him to apologize for Beck's comments. He hopes that Beck will call him to apologize and talk about social justice.

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Comments

[ggoslaw]

05:50 PM on 05/10/2010

An unabashed truth is that God's love is extended first to the poor and then to a lesser degree to the rest of us. Jesus also said, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." (John 12:8) This statement is biblical, how can a theology (Statement in description of and about God)be based on an unchanging fact, the reality of poverty. God has bigger fish to fry, he came to change the hearts of men. Truly I would like to make sense out of this social justice thing. But Can't.

[sprtakis69]

03:33 PM on 05/08/2010

"He hopes that Beck will call him to apologize and talk about social justice."

I have a feeling Wallis will be waiting a very long time. I doubt that silly red phone on Beck's desk even has a dial tone!!!

GB is such a tool!

[grananza]

11:13 PM on 04/26/2010

13And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
--Luke 12

It looks like Jesus was all for that "social justice"

When the old widow through her last two cents into the collection he said that she gave more than anyone else because they gave of their abundance and she gave all that she had. He did not command them thereafter to give also all that they had or to give to the woman.

The first commandment is to love the Lord and the second is to love our neighbor. How can this love truly exist unless it is done by free will. Can one without a free will truly be capable of love?

[bgillette]

03:07 AM on 03/24/2010

Glenn Beck absolutely got it right. I'm a frequent reader of the bible and the term "social justice" doesn't appear anywhere, nor did Jesus EVER practice the type of social justice the the extreme left radical rev. Jim Wallis is talking about.

Just another smear article to by the Huffington post to detract people from the truth.
Glenn Beck is the only one making any sense these days!

[Ivriniel]

12:46 AM on 04/01/2010

The term social justice doesnt' appear in the Bible because it didn't exist back then. The term social justice was coined in order to encompass a number of related concepts that are in the Bible.

What "extreme left radical" stuff that Jim Wallis says are you referring to? I'm willing to bet you don't know anything that Jim Wallis has actually said.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

10:41 AM on 04/07/2010

I took this subject on with my pastor the other day, after church and the truth, Ivriniel, is that the only person Jesus ever referred to as taking from in order to give to others, is himself. This "Reverend" Jim Wallis is quite a character, as social justice is just a sugar-coated term for stealing from one group of people -- mostly out of envy and greed, which Jesus did NOT condone -- to give to another, under the pretense of "fairness". Another thing that the Bible has always taught is to look out for the wolf in sheep's clothing.

[LCDTV]

06:27 PM on 04/04/2010

your an idiot.

[syllable]

01:55 AM on 03/23/2010

Matthew 5:3 ESV /

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

[surf2bnsun]

05:42 PM on 03/23/2010

Wallis said he absolutely believes in the Redistribution Of Wealth Beck does not .... OK ?

Wallis is running campaign against Beck's right to speech what right does he have to take away someone's job because he doesn't like what he says ... turn the channel Rev. Wallis!

Wallis is President Barack Obama's advisor could there be a conflict of interest here?

I happen to think Rev Wallis is a MARXIST ...so? and I believe you said it yourself ... didn't you Rev Wallis?

Why do you want Beck's job for telling the TRUTH!!!

You hide nothing if you have nothing to hide...

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

12:53 PM on 04/07/2010

How clever do you have to be, to use Christianity as a way of justifying Marxism? Well, that is exactly what these Marxist / Communists have learned from Day 1... and not one of you has noticed this. Once they were able to learn how to do that, they were able to convince the gullible -- otherwise known as "lukewarm" Christians, as well as non-Christians -- that "redistributing the wealth" is the way to treat those who have worked for every penny that they've earned (many of them being immigrants, who came to this country for the opportunity to prosper). Wake up and smell the coffee, people. Faith, Hope and Charity are what the Bible teaches -- not "redistribution of wealth". Those who skew it are not really preaching the Word of God.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

10:54 AM on 04/07/2010

That does not pertain to social justice. The "poor in spirit", refers not to those who are poor MATERIALLY, but to be poor spiritually, meaning (as my pastor puts it) "The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts." The last part of which means that those who are not bitter, angry, envious of others or have greed in their hearts.

[SiKnSiN]

03:17 AM on 04/08/2010

The scripture quoted was that from Matthew 5:3, which includes "Blessed are the poor in spirit". Yet in Luke 6:20, the scripture reads just "Blessed are the poor". In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, a story is told which leaves no doubt the meaning of "the poor". Luke 18: 18-27..18 And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' 21 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth. "22 And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 23 But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich.
You state, "poor in spirit" means to be "poor spiritually" and being poor "materially" wasn't his true meaning. Yet reading the following passage clearly shows he meant exactly that. Also, it wouldn't make much sense for him to say "Blessed are those who are "poor spritually", for yours is the Kingdom of God."

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

01:52 PM on 03/21/2010

And the sun rises in the East.

[syllable]

11:42 PM on 03/17/2010

Beck's Mormon church prides itself for helping those in need. Isn't this a type of social justice?

[pkb1962]

12:12 AM on 03/24/2010

That is a type of justice, but they are doing it willingly, not being forced to give. If you are being forced to give, then it is not giving, it is stealing from you and giving to someone else.

[InLosAngeles]

11:06 AM on 03/25/2010

Well said. I might replace stealing w/ taxing.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

12:55 PM on 04/07/2010

You are right, pkb. Willingly, is charity. Forced giving is "redistribution of income".

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

12:18 PM on 04/07/2010

There is a difference between charity and "social justice", syllable. The differences are:

Charity: Donating; Giving voluntarily, out of compassion; this is a method that has been used to fundraise for any organizational causes we, as generous Americans, have always believed in. There has never been any problem collecting for the charities or institutions that use funds in the manner that they have stated in their policies or annual reports. However, if there are any organizations that misuse and abuse the system, we are usually notified of it and therefore, can choose not to give to that particular charity any longer. So the word "charity", always means that we have the option to give.

Social Justice: Forced giving, not allowing choice; Under the pretense of "fairness", monies are taken from one group and spent on another group of people. Most of the time, the group of people receiving these funds are portrayed and helpless individuals, when in fact, most of them are able-bodied, but have become dependent upon the gov't for their every need -- and in some case, wants. Not all of this is ethically done, as in a lot of cases; welfare, for one.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

12:33 PM on 04/07/2010

Sorry about the typo in paragraph 2, line 3; the word is not "and", but "as".

[JohnDuke]

02:18 PM on 03/16/2010

To strive for "social justice" any church or political movement has first to take the blindfold from the eyes of Lady Justice. Then the accountants can come in, number, and grade the each group. Those who have less should have more. Those who have more should have less. So, leaders can gather together those who have less into a "lessers block" to demand material equality and "justice" on Earth.

Among humans, "social justice" can only be a battle cry meant to pit some people against other people, race against race, or neighbor against neighbor.

Justice is blind for a reason, and humans can do little more than acknowledge that all people arrive in this world equal, endowed by their creator with certain (limited) inalienable rights, such as the rights to life, liberty, and several property ownership.

[ConstitutionWorks]

12:30 PM on 03/16/2010

Rather than question whether Wallis is actually born again, suffice it to say that he's typical of liberal christians. They are either not in complete agreement with scripture, or they're completely off base. The gospel has nothing to do with social justice, but is all about salvation. Without salvation, nothing else in eternity matters. Social justice is a matter of works; works only follow the gospel, and are not a part of it's presentation. Social justice is a part of "liberation theology." It is not orthodox, but it is decidedly unbiblical. While individual christians and the church are to be compassionate, and treat others as they themselves would want to be treated, we are never taught to focus on "social justice."

The Bible is the standard for our conduct, and anyone who reinterprets, ignores, or adds to scripture, is way off base; like the Rev. Jim Wallis. We are taught not to judge others when we don't judge ourselves first. Jim Wallis needs to get himself on track and in line with scripture before he criticizes others on topics he apparently knows little about.

[glh1]

12:12 PM on 03/19/2010

"Social justice is a matter of works; works only follow the gospel, and are not a part of it's presentation."

Yes, and the Bible teaches that faith without works is dead. If Christians don't live the teachings of Christ (that's the "presentation" of the gospel, by the way), why would unbelievers see us as any different than the world? People were attracted to Christ because of the way he lived his life; because he cared for the poor and spoke up for the voiceless. That is why they came to him - and only after coming, only after he had their attention, did he speak to them of sin and forgiveness and eternal life.

Continuing, as Christians, to be apathetic toward the plight of the poor and needy in this country and in others, is not Christ-like, and in fact undermines the Christianity we claim to live by. Jim Wallis is exactly right.

[mashkiki]

11:38 PM on 03/15/2010

In this human experience we are granted free will by our God. We have a choice to use it with good intent or ill-intent. The state has NO BUSINESS in this “contract” between God and the human being. Each of us will individually attract to ourselves that which we emanate. When “social justice” is applied it is often by someone who wants to violate the personal relationship between another and their God. We can inspire others, but “social justice” occurs when we are forced to use our free will in a way that others see fit.

[Brad Bomkamp]

05:36 PM on 03/15/2010

I agree Glenn's "Social Justice" comments were wrong and inaccurate. But if he is such an idiot then why and how has he garnered so much attention? There are many Liberals that would sell their soul to get a following like Glenn Beck. Many of the comments here are shameful and ridiculous and yet you lash out at him for being shameful and ridiculous. I don't agree with Jim Wallis all the time but at least he has said that he will not attack Glenn's character. Maybe some of you should practice what you preach.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

12:26 PM on 04/07/2010

He is not exactly wrong in this instance. Social justice is not warranted in the Bible, although it is a way for radicals who believe that a certain group of people are "owed" something, to assure that the monies for that "something" -- whether for "free" income or benefits -- come from a group of people who are more successful. Clever individuals like Wallis, create an essence of "fairness", which actually convinces the gullible that it is okay to take from a group of people who work their fingers to the bone to earn everything they have, to give to those who do not. He is a master of manipulation, being able to skew what is right and wrong -- when in fact it is never mentioned in the Bible.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

01:41 PM on 04/07/2010

Oh, and Brad...when you state that Jim Wallis is not going after Glenn Beck's character, he isn't -- however, he is going after his job. Now, who in their right mind would go after someone's job if they themselves didn't have anything to worry about? In this case, what this so-called "Reverend" seems to be afraid of, is being exposed for the Marxist that he really is.

[StephCaster]

10:03 AM on 03/15/2010

Just Glenn Beck wasting another hour of America's time, as he does every day. Or, more accurately, lowering America's collective IQ by another point.

[pkb1962]

12:20 AM on 03/24/2010

Are you kidding me, he is the only one out there showing the history of our country, founded on capitalism, not socialism. Founded on blood, sweat and tears, not give me this, give me that-Marxism, as Jim Wallis stated he is, a Marxist. Wake up people. Do you really want to make people dependent on the government to take of yourselves? Talk about lowering America's collective IQ, what do you think public education does everyday.

[Christopher Charles]

01:11 AM on 03/30/2010

There are also a lot of these things that tell the history of our country called books. The bonus is they know way more about American history than Glenn Beck. Go ahead and enjoy him all you like. He and Rush Limbaugh are irrelevant. They only exist to keep up the spirits of rich people, racists, and morons who believe anything people tell them, like this genius above. There is a big difference between a safety net and a complete takeover. I'm really glad that intelligent people are in charge of our country again.

Oh and the government did takeover the health care of a poor woman named Terry Shiavo. Who was responsible? All the people whining and complaining now.

[Lisa Winne-Clark]

12:31 PM on 04/07/2010

Agreed wholeheartedly. If more people opened their minds, instead of listening to those who fill their heads with rhetoric about who is right and wrong -- perhaps they would be able to determine that, themselves by watching and listening to what goes on around them, rather than believing what they want to believe, based solely on hearsay. Glenn Beck provides proof of everything he states, which is why not one of the people he has asked to call him on his show, have ever done so. Does that ever occur to the people who prefer to call him names, rather than to see it all for themselves?

[reallyrand]

07:15 PM on 03/14/2010

I get it

[JeauxSchmeaux]

06:40 PM on 03/14/2010

I'll give Beck this much, he shovels the bullsh!t faster than you can wade through it.

[DaithiO]

02:29 PM on 03/14/2010

And Mr. Beck, can you tell us what political movement stripped churches of any power to engage in anything relating to social justice? You ought to know it: you use the word a lot.