"Advocacy is rooted deeply in the teachings of the Bible. The concept of advocacy, in the Scriptures, encompasses both a spiritual and practical dimension, calling believers to emulate Christ’s compassion, justice, and solidarity toward the marginalized…” - Dr. Luke Bray.
Passages believes Christians should have a theology of advocacy which compels them to action. To help us explore this subject, we commissioned a paper by Passages’ Visiting Scholar, Dr. Luke Bray. Please enjoy Part 1: What Does It Mean to be An Advocate?
In Christian theology, the concept of advocacy is rooted in the character of God and the teachings of Jesus. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God's concern for the marginalized and oppressed, calling Christians to emulate His compassion and justice. From the Old Testament prophets denouncing social injustices (Jer 22:3; Ezek 22:29; Zech 7:9–10) to Jesus' ministry of healing and spiritual liberation (Mark 2:1–12; 5:1–20; Luke 8:43–48), the Scriptures resound with a clarion call for advocacy on behalf of the ostracized and the hurting.
In His teachings, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the “paraclete.” In John 14–16, Jesus clarifies the work of the Holy Spirit portraying Him as an advocate, comforter, and counselor to Christ's followers. The term “paraclete” originates from the Greek word “paraklētos,” which denotes one who comes alongside to offer aid, support, or defense. Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will be sent to them after His departure, to guide them into all truth, to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to empower them for the work of theKingdom (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8). The Spirit serves as the ultimate advocate for believers, providing comfort, wisdom, and strength.
In a later letter, the apostle John also describes Jesus himself as the advocate for Christians before the Father: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1,ESV, italics added). This description emphasizes Jesus' role as an intercessor, pleading on behalf of believers and embodying the ultimate source of righteousness and redemption. The ministry of advocacy exemplified by Jesus serves as a paradigm for Christian advocacy. His example compels believers to demonstrate similar compassion and justice and to stand in solidarity with the hurting and the marginalized. Just as Jesus advocates for the oppressed and spiritually destitute, Christians are called to do the same in their communities.
This theological understanding of advocacy encompasses both a spiritual and practical dimension. Spiritually, believers are called to intercede for others in prayer, serving as the compassionate presence of Christ in the world. Practically, advocacy involves speaking out against injustice, standing up for the rights of the vulnerable, and working towards cultural change to address social brokenness and oppression (James 1:27). James, the brother of Jesus, instructs believers to not only offer words of comfort but also tangible assistance to those in need (James2:15-16). Likewise, the book of Proverbs urges us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8).
As recipients of the Holy Spirit's empowerment and as beneficiaries of Jesus' advocacy before the Father, Christians are called to join in His mission to care for those in need and to speak on behalf of the oppressed. This theology of advocacy not only shapes individual lives but also transforms communities and societies and reflects the redemptive love of God in a broken world.
