Social Justice as a Core Aspect of the Gospel: How the Early Church Modeled Social Restoration (Exile Series)

Voxology

Philosophy, Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 February 2025

⏱️ 61 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

How the early church responded to injustice offers a roadmap for communities struggling to embody Christ's vision of transformation and Shalom today. Mike and Tim dive deep into real examples from Acts, 1 Corinthians, and Galatians to reveal how the early Christians addressed systemic injustice across ethnic, economic, and cultural lines—while pointing to what it means to live out political engagement by being the church. Referencing powerful historical texts and contemporary critiques, including a provocative new book titled "The Sin of Empathy," this episode critiques legalistic, overly individualized versions of the gospel and recasts Christian political action through the lens of community justice, restorative practices, and the call to be instruments of peace.

Key Takeaways: • Empathy Isn't a Sin—Apathy Might Be – Critiquing reactionary movements that label empathy sinful, while unpacking what biblical care really looks like. • Justice as an Embodied Witness – From caring for widows in Acts 6 to confronting ethnic division in Galatians 2, Mike and Tim explore how the church is called not just to advocate for justice, but to live it. • The Lord's Supper and Social Class – Why 1 Corinthians 11 isn't about personal sin but about disrupting anti-kingdom social structures entrenched in church life. • Communal Faith, Not Individual Escape – Why salvation is about restoring both our relationship with God and our neighbor—and how that shapes our public witness. • Beyond Legalism into Discernment – Wrestling with complexity, nuance, and spiritual discernment as essential tools for modern followers of Jesus.

Resources Mentioned: • Book: "The Sin of Empathy" (Canon Press, not recommended but discussed) • Book of Acts Chapter 6 – Conflict resolution in serving widows • 1 Corinthians 11 – Examining justice and table fellowship • Galatians 2 – Ethnic inclusion and gospel integrity • Ephesians 2 & Genesis (referenced) – Theological foundations for communal justice • Sky Jethani & The Holy Post Podcast – https://www.holypost.com • Quote from Saint Francis – "Make me an instrument of your peace"

Join the conversation as we reimagine church as a community of justice. Have feedback or questions? Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or follow us on social media.

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Music by Timothy John Stafford Follow Tim on Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, everybody, Mike and Tim here.
0:17.5	Welcome to another edition of the Voxology podcast.
0:25.5	Today you are expecting a normal sort of podcast, but in actuality, we are having a confrontation today. And as my friend Tim Timmins says it,
0:34.8	a care frontation. And we're going to confront, the audience and I are
0:39.9	going to confront Tim Stafford about the sin of empathy that he has long enjoyed without prophetic
0:49.6	rebuke. Yeah. There is a book coming out evidently called The Sin of Empathy, written by Canon Press,
0:57.3	which is the Doug Wilson, whatever, not necessarily a fan of him or the theology that they're in.
1:05.1	So not shockingly that someone would write this.
1:08.1	And unsurprisingly, I doubt it will be read by people who are capable of being
1:14.2	guilty of that sin. Yeah. So we're not going to review it. We're not going to spend money on it.
1:19.7	But I just thought of all the books and all the issues to be dealt with the sin of empathy.
1:25.8	And of course, I mean, the way it's going to work is empathy is going to be defined a certain way.
1:30.9	And of course, there are limits to empathy, right?
1:33.4	Empathy isn't just the only virtue that is operative.
1:38.3	But of all the targets to pick at, it's just interesting.
1:42.6	That's today, I know. Especially in this time period. It's like, come on. I know. Just so dumb. So dumb. So dumb. And why? Why? Oh, why are people walking away from the church? I haven't a clue. Haven't a clue. I love you. Yeah, I know. I know.
2:01.3	Me too.
2:03.8	I want to say a couple of shoutouts.
2:07.5	First of all of you that have expressed interest in the non-ference.
2:10.0	Our friend Lisa should be reaching out to you.
2:16.1	For those of you that expressed interest in the pastor's cohort, Mike Erie should be reaching out to you.
2:17.4	And we're going to announce this kind of one more time.
	...

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