The Christian view of compassion is: “We give because it is right for us to do so.” The Social Justice view of compassion is: “We give because others have a right to what we have.” The first view is biblical. The second one isn’t. This isn't the first time orthodox Christianity has faced this challenge. The Social Gospel was a movement within Protestantism in the late 19th and early 20th century that was concerned with issues of social justice such as economic inequality, poverty, alcoholism, crime, racial tensions, slums, unclean environment, child labor, poor schools, and the dangers of war.
I admit the first part of this essay was thoughtful and well done. However, you strayed from the Gospel message in the last part when you equate Christianity with Western Civilization. Christianity began in a non-western area, grew considerably during non-civilized times, and a sizable number of Christians today live outside the so-called Western Civilization. Does this mean they weren't/aren't real Christians?
Two sizable errors:
1. The fall of Western Civilization doesn't equal the fall of Christianity. The Roman Empire (once converted) fell prone to the same error of thinking a political state is synonymous with a religion. Christianity survived, even thrived after the fall of the Roman Empire, and Christianity will survive the decline of Western Civilization. I am not advocating for the fall of Western Civilization, simply that the Gospel message isn't tied to a nation or civilization.
2. Democracy and socialism are not opposites. One is a political system (democracy) and one is an economic system (socialism). Democratic nations can and do have a form of socialism, heck the US has certain aspects of socialism (Social Security, Unemployment benefits, government welfare are all examples). Other democratic nations have even more traits of socialism (Great Britain and Australia come to mind). Speaking of economic systems, no nation is a pure socialism nowadays (China is a hybrid) and no nation is a pure capitalism (read Ayn Rand to see what pure capitalism would look like in this world). To use the word in any other sense, as you do, is really fear-mongering and sloppy thought.
Aside, the Bible doesn't support any one political or economic system. God clearly works for people to have freedom, but personal freedom doesn't necessarily mean democracy. For example, Heaven is a feudal system with God as an all-powerful King whose word is law and He is a ruler who owns everything. Thus, there isn't a democratic capitalist society in Heaven. To be a Christian, we accept his Lordship over our lives!
I admit the first part of this essay was thoughtful and well done. However, you strayed from the Gospel message in the last part when you equate Christianity with Western Civilization. Christianity began in a non-western area, grew considerably during non-civilized times, and a sizable number of Christians today live outside the so-called Western Civilization. Does this mean they weren't/aren't real Christians?
Two sizable errors:
1. The fall of Western Civilization doesn't equal the fall of Christianity. The Roman Empire (once converted) fell prone to the same error of thinking a political state is synonymous with a religion. Christianity survived, even thrived after the fall of the Roman Empire, and Christianity will survive the decline of Western Civilization. I am not advocating for the fall of Western Civilization, simply that the Gospel message isn't tied to a nation or civilization.
2. Democracy and socialism are not opposites. One is a political system (democracy) and one is an economic system (socialism). Democratic nations can and do have a form of socialism, heck the US has certain aspects of socialism (Social Security, Unemployment benefits, government welfare are all examples). Other democratic nations have even more traits of socialism (Great Britain and Australia come to mind). Speaking of economic systems, no nation is a pure socialism nowadays (China is a hybrid) and no nation is a pure capitalism (read Ayn Rand to see what pure capitalism would look like in this world). To use the word in any other sense, as you do, is really fear-mongering and sloppy thought.
Aside, the Bible doesn't support any one political or economic system. God clearly works for people to have freedom, but personal freedom doesn't necessarily mean democracy. For example, Heaven is a feudal system with God as an all-powerful King whose word is law and He is a ruler who owns everything. Thus, there isn't a democratic capitalist society in Heaven. To be a Christian, we accept his Lordship over our lives!