It was the scandal of the African slave trade that stirred the conscience of William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect and set in motion a social reform movement in the 1800's to eliminate the slave trade. Today, in the Live 8 Concerts, it is the scandal of extreme poverty in Africa that stirs the conscience of millions and, perhaps, a few evangelicals!
In the Scandal Of The Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like The Rest Of The World?: Ronald J. Sider takes the evangelical church in America to task for its failure to embody the gospel in action by caring "for the least of these."
So if there is any occasion for evangelical Christianity to live what they believe, this is THE occasion to prove the gospel by demonstrating it, so they can recommend it with integrity.
Some are doing just that. The Jubilee 2000 movement has been a collection of Clergy, Politicians, Entertainers and Business people in Britain who have made the cause of debt forgiveness their reason for existence. The Live 8 Concerts are the fruit of this movement. So is the recent announcement by the G8 of the plan to relieve 100 percent of the debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries. (G8 ministers back Africa debt deal.)
Many prominent British Evangelicals are involved. See The Jubilee line that works. Will Hutton, editor of the UK Observer newspaper, argues that it is no longer Morris, Keynes and Beveridge who inspire and change the world - it's Leviticus.
But where are the American Evangelicals in this picture?
Edward Simon is the President of Herman Miller. According to Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline, Simon has said, "Business is the only institution that has a chance, as far as I can see, to fundamentally improve the injustice that exists in the world." (Senge, 1990, p.5)
My prayer is that the Faith at Work movement in America will make the end of poverty a worthy cause to work for.
Some blogs following this event.
Captain's Quarters: Live 8 Starts Slow, Picks Up Speed
It Takes A Church...: ONE really good thing to do...
UPDATED Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Looks like it is happening! Note this article in the Boston Globe PTL!
With antipoverty call, evangelicals seek new tone
" The National Association of Evangelicals -- a conservative group mostly known for its opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage -- joined other religious leaders meeting in London last week to urge those attending the upcoming Group of Eight summit in Scotland to dramatically increase aid and trade benefits to impoverished nations.
''We are lending our voice to this cause in a way we've never before done," said the Rev. Richard Cizik, the group's vice president of government affairs.
(HT: Hugh Hewitt)
