Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective (people)

Etienne Gilson

"Piety is no substitute for technique." Right intentions do not take the place of doing things right.

William Easterly

"The end of poverty will come as a result of homegrown political reforms (which are already happening in many poor countries), not through outside aid. The biggest hope for the world's nations is not Bono, it is the citizens of poor nations themselves."

Nozick

"we are not in the position of children who have been given portions of pie by someone who who now makes last minute adjustments to rectify careless cutting."

Kay Hymowitz

Children of divorced and remarried have results somewhat similar to that of children from single-parent homes. The effect of a father and mother figure is essential, more than just the extra income from the father. Educated women still believe as marriage as the best for having children.

Rudy Carrasco

Closest to the need will understand it best. The farther away the help is, the less effective it will be.

Abraham Kuyper

Dutch neo-Calvinism, sphere sovereignty. If there is no help coming from anywhere else, than yes state must help, but when the state intervenes it must do so quickly and sufficiently. "All state relief for the poor is a blot on the honor of your Savior."

Henry Hazlitt

Economics in one lesson -- secondary consequences. Every public job created destroys a private job. Increasing the minimum wage means employers will be hiring less employees or they will have to have higher prices. Higher prices hurt the poor. Higher minimum wage = no change, or a negative change for the poor.

Amy Sherman

Focus on the needy person more than the need. Having the right motive and attitude for mercy ministry is crucial. Charity is not to be indiscriminate. You must take off your racial blinders.

Bob Woodson

It is possible to injure with the helping hand. Charity has no place in a war against poverty. Charity often demeans the receiver. People in need shouldn't have to sacrifice their dignity by receiving help. If people are always getting, they eventually become angry not only at the gift but the gift-giver. Relationships depend on reciprocity.

James Madison

Political leaders should be deemed incompetent judges of religious truth.

Chuck Colson

Relationships are crucial. Mentoring reduces repeat crime rates.

Luigi Taparelli d'Azeglio

Sicilian priest, first used term "social justice" in 1840.

Jay Richards

Wealth is not a pie, just because someone is richer doesn't mean someone else must be poorer. There is no zero-sum economy. Capitalism is not greed. Self-interest is not selfishness. Foreign aid is NOT a good thing, if the US dumps all of our extra cotton somewhere, then we ruin the cotton business in that place. Aid is bad for local economies.

Dorothy Sayers

Work is essential and good. "The only Christian work is good work well done." Doing work well honors God. We should do work because we want to, not as a burden. Work is not something to dread.

David Gushee

families are best, esp. because of 2 incomes (strength in numbers)

Stephen Monsma

it is too simple to think in only person and government

Michael Novak

problem with social justice is the meaning of the term. Social justice rightly understood is the disposition or skills needed to improve other conditions. It is a virtue. It is working with others to accomplish a common good. Social justice is using the elementary skills of civil society. Social organizations must work with other organizations.

Hayek

wrote "the Mirage of Social Justice" says that social doesn't make sense, and the term is inconsistently used. No single person has knowledge to give every person what they need or deserve.