“It is a call to boldly proclaim God’s message of justice, righteousness, and love to a world in need of redemption and reconciliation.”
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 2: Why Must Christians Serve As Advocates?
All people are created in the image of God, known in theological terms as the "Imago Dei." This concept underpins the Christian ethic of human dignity, worth, and equality. In Genesis 1:26-27, God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (ESV). This declaration is significant. It affirms humanity's unique status as bearers of God's image. It imbues every individual with inherent dignity and worth, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Furthermore, Genesis 9:6 reaffirms the sanctity of human life: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (ESV). This verse underscores the gravity of harming another human being, emphasizing the divine imprint upon every person.
The doctrine of Imago Dei is essential for Christian advocacy. It demands believers recognize and affirm the sacred value and intrinsic rights of every person, irrespective of their faith, circumstances, or personalities. As bearers of God's image, each individual possesses inherent dignity and worth, and is deserving of respect, love, and justice. The doctrine of Imago Dei transcends religious boundaries, and it serves as a common ground for interfaith dialogue and cooperation, cultivating mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration in addressing shared concerns for human flourishing. The Imago Dei serves as a theological basis for reconciliation and restoration. Recognizing the divine image both in oneself and in others fosters empathy, compassion, and a willingness to pursue peace.
Furthermore, the doctrine of Imago Dei challenges Christians to confront attitudes and systems that devalue or diminish the dignity of others. Whether in personal interactions, societal structures, or cultural norms, believers are called to advocate for the full recognition and protection of human life and flourishing, reflecting God's heart for justice and righteousness. The doctrine ofImago Dei provides a theological imperative for Christian advocacy, grounding the call to justice, compassion, and solidarity in the recognition of every person's inherent dignity and worth as bearers of God's image.
The call to pursue justice and righteousness reflects God's character and will for His people.Scriptures teach us to care for the oppressed, seek justice, and act with righteousness. Micah 6:8encapsulates this call succinctly: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV).This verse underscores the inseparable connection between justice, mercy, and humility in theChristian life. It challenges believers to actively pursue justice, extend mercy to the marginalized, and to humbly walk in obedience to God.
Similarly, Isaiah 1:17 echoes this sentiment: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause (ESV). This prophetic command emphasizes the importance to pursue justice, particularly on behalf of the less fortunate and vulnerable in the world. It calls believers to advocate for those who cannot speak up for themselves, standing up against injustice and oppression.
In Psalm 82:3–4, God instructs His divine council: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (ESV). This passage emphasizes God's heart for the hurting and oppressed.
Jesus also cared deeply about justice and righteousness during His earthly ministry. In Luke4:18-19, Jesus quotes from Isaiah, proclaiming His mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (NIV). Jesus was committed to both justice and spiritual freedom, underscoring the integral connection between His gospel message and compassionate advocacy for the marginalized.
Furthermore, James 1:27 emphasizes the practical outworking of true religion: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (NIV). This verse underscores the inseparable link between faith and action, challenging believers to advocate for the vulnerable and disenfranchised while maintaining personal holiness.
The Christian call to advocacy is rooted in the pursuit of justice and righteousness, reflecting God's character, will for His people, and vision for a restored world healed of its brokenness. Scriptures command followers of Christ to embody these values while defending the oppressed, seeking justice, and acting with compassion towards the marginalized.
Christian advocacy finds its fullest expression in the transformative power of love and compassion. These virtues are not merely colorful adjectives to describe our faith but are instead the very heart of it and should guide our actions and shape our attitudes towards advocacy.
The Gospel of Matthew (22:37-39) encapsulates Jesus' teachings on love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”(ESV) This foundational principle underscores the centrality of love in the Christian ethic. Our love for God and our fellow human beings forms the bedrock upon which our advocacy stands. Additionally, the apostle John, in his first epistle (3:17), writes, “If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”(NIV). Here, John emphasizes the inseparable connection between love and compassion. True love compels us to action, to extend a helping hand to those in need, just as Christ did during His earthly ministry.
The life and teachings of Jesus provide a compelling example of love in action. Jesus’ ministry was marked by compassion towards the disempowered, the oppressed, and the downtrodden. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and offered hope to the despairing. His advocacy was not driven by self-interest or political agendas, but instead by genuine love and concern for the welfare of others.
Advocacy that is devoid of love and compassion lacks authenticity and efficacy. It becomes a hollow shell, devoid of the transformative power to effect meaningful change. The apostle Paul clarifies the importance of genuine love for others, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1). It is not enough to display spiritual maturity with our words. Authentic Christians must act in love. When motivated by love, our advocacy becomes a reflection of Christ's love for humanity, drawing others towards the source of all love and compassion.
The concept of prophetic witness holds meaningful significance for the church. Rather than foretelling future events, the church’s prophetic witness entails telling forth God’s message to the world—a message that speaks to hope, justice, righteousness, and the coming Kingdom of God. Through the prophetic voice, believers are called to challenge injustice, proclaim truth, and embody God's redemptive love.
The prophet Amos declares, “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!” (Amos 5:24, NIV). This declaration is an important aspect of the church’s prophetic witness. Amos’s message was not about predicting the future; it was a call to action—a call to confront the social injustices prevalent in his time and to advocate for the righteous judgement of God in the land. As modern-day advocates, we are heirs to this prophetic tradition, called to stand against injustice and to champion righteousness in our own communities and beyond.
Throughout Scripture, prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel exemplify the courage and conviction required of a prophetic witness. They fearlessly confronted political rulers, religious leaders, and societal norms that perpetuated injustice and unrighteousness. Their words were not always welcome, but they remained faithful to their calling to speak the truth.
The concept of prophetic witness remains central to the Christian call to advocacy. It is a call to boldly proclaim God's message of justice, righteousness, and love to a world in need of redemption and reconciliation.
In the pursuit of justice and righteousness, Christians are called, not only to advocate for the marginalized, but also to stand in solidarity with them and to empower them to speak for themselves. This ethos of solidarity and empowerment reflects the communal nature of the Body of Christ and the inherent dignity of every person.
Galatians 6:2 addresses the principle of solidarity: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (NIV). This verse underscores the importance of standing alongside the hurting in times of need, sharing in their struggles, and offering support and encouragement. Solidarity fosters empathy, compassion, and a sense of shared responsibility within the Christian community.
As mentioned above, Proverbs 31:8-9 encourages us to, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (NIV). This passage emphasizes the imperative of advocacy on behalf of the vulnerable and hurting. It calls us to use our voices and resources to amplify the voices of those who are silenced or oppressed, advocating for justice and dignity for all. Solidarity entails more than just offering words of support; it requires a willingness to enter into the lived experiences of others and walk alongside them in pursuit of justice, wholeness, and flourishing.
Empowerment is another essential aspect of Christian advocacy. It involves equipping the hurting with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to advocate for themselves and effect positive change in their communities. It involves providing access to education, training, and leadership opportunities, as well as advocating for policies and systems that promote equality, understanding, and compassion. Empowerment recognizes the inherent agency and dignity of every individual and seeks to cultivate a sense of self-worth and resilience.
