Statement of Faith and Practice

Most statements of faith are doctrinal--what one must believe, not practice—what one must do.  So most statements of faith do not address oppression/justice issues.  Without intending to, most statements of faith feed the favorite American heresy—a spirituality without justice.  For a severe critique of spirituality without justice, see Amos 5:21-24; Isaiah 58:1-5; and James 2:1-6.  For a description of spirituality with justice, see Isaiah 58:6 ff.  This is what a black theologian James Cone thinks of a spirituality without justice.  It allows “White America to domesticate the gospel for racist purposes.”

1.    God created the universe.  God created human beings in His image.  The creator has order and structure in both the physical and social worlds.  Four social institutions were ordained:

Marriage and the family, the economic (work), the political (government) and the church.  These four social institutions, as they now exist, involve God’s creation design and human creativity.

2.    God, as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, is not only transcendentally separate from His universe, but He is also immanently involved daily in every aspect of His creation.

3.    Adam and Eve rebelled against God and thus introduced sin into the world.  Sin has pervasively damaged every aspect of God’s creation, especially humans, both individually and in their social institutions. 

4.    The Old Testament law was introduced to restrain sin and to show what was right in relationships.  The law covered all areas of life.  Later New Testament redemption was introduced; it, too, is meant to be holistic, to cover every area damaged by sin.  Grace is to be as extensive as sin has been.  The kingdom of God is to be as comprehensive as life itself.

5.    Jesus Christ is central.  He is to be lifted up as Prophet, Priest and King.

a.    As Priest He provides redemption, forgiveness of sin, through His death and resurrection.

b.    As Prophet He fearlessly proclaims the complete truth of God and exposes evil, especially the social evil of political, economic and religious leaders of society (example:  the Jewish religio-politico-economic leaders).

c.     As King He introduces the kingdom of God on earth.  He provides the love, power and principles for a new way of life, a new personal and social ethic (example: Sermon on the Mount).

6.    The relationship of faith and works.  Personal salvation is through faith and grace, not by personal good works.  But personal salvation should result in an abundance of good works.  Good works are the love of God released to love my neighbor.  Faith without such good works is dead. 

7.    The person, fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

a.    The Holy Spirit was given that we might have the power and love to witness for Jesus Christ, that we might understand the truth of God, to detect and expose false teaching, and be able to apply truth to today’s society.

b.    The Holy Spirit was given that we might develop holy, mature, balanced Christian character—the fruit of the Spirit (example: Gal. 5:22—love, joy, peace, etc.)

c.     The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of the Spirit to build up the body of Christ.  The gifts are given so that we can minister to each other’s needs (not to make us super-spiritual) and so we can witness to and glorify Jesus Christ.

8.    The Bible is inspired by God to reveal God to man.  The central focus is Jesus Christ.  It is a book of principles, not laws (rules and regulations).  Its truth lies in the spirit of its principles, not in the letter of the law.  The Bible is to be carefully studied and interpreted with the aid of the Holy Spirit and others in the body of Christ.  This will provide balance among its many important truths and avoid unbalanced private personal interpretations, and avoid faddish teachings by superficially spiritual superstars.

9.    The central focus of the church is persons-in-relationship to each other under their Head, Jesus Christ.  The type of organizations or structure and type of building (house or special building) should be carefully chosen so that the church can most effectively witness to and minister to its culture.  The church should “travel lightly” so that it can remain flexible and mobile under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

10.                  Love, righteousness and justice.  Love without justice has no backbone.  Righteousness without justice produces only personal piety.  Personal piety needs this vision of Christian ministry “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . .to preach the gospel to the poor. . . .to set at liberty those who are oppressed. . . .” (Luke 4:18).  Justice is present when a proper balance of responsibilities and rights produce quality human relationships in a community.

11.                  The kingdom of God, here on earth, is all about justice – Jubilee Justice that releases the oppressed. 

See Matthew 6:33 ‘NEB’, Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 9:7, 11:1-4, 16:5, 28:16-17, 42:1-4, 61:1-4

12.                  A spirituality with justice gospel should produce worship and works, justification and justice, grace and justice, love and justice, faith and works.