Category: Journal Issues

Wallis says that the two great hungers in the world are for spirituality and social justice, but too often we see the two as incompatible. His essay reveals a new movement within Christianity based on a holistic engagement of moral values. He believes that America is ready for a national discussion on moral values. But it must be a debate supporting a broader and deeper view of politics “grounded in all of our values.” He says that abortion and gay marriage should not be the only issues stimulating Christians to action. We must address poverty, war, disease, exploitation, environmental and economic concerns as well as many others. Wallis sees a movement emerging that can “change the wind” and force politicians and governments to take notice and take action on issues of moral values. He is just one of many voices calling Christians to action and shouting the new altar call for the moral values campaign.

Campolo graphically illustrates the misconceptions and prejudices that Christians have about AIDS. Christians often associate the disease with sexual immorality, specifically homosexuality, and ostracize those who are afflicted by it because we suppose they are under a punishment from God for their sins. Campolo believes that AIDS is the modern equivalent to leprosy. We are unwilling to accept AIDS victims into our church communities—even though Jesus embraced and healed lepers, the ‘unclean’ of his day. Campolo then describes the work that REACH ministries, directed by Suzie Slonaker, does with children afflicted by AIDS. He sees in their staff and volunteers people who display “a beautiful expression of God’s love” in forming relationships with these children, showing them that God loves them no matter what. Campolo observes that Bono has made us aware of the plight of those who suffer from AIDS in Africa, and that likewise, Suzie Slonaker and REACH are doing the same at home in the Pacific Northwest.

The prostitute Rahab’s scarlet cord weaves through time, rippling under the power of God’s breath, offering a way to safety and freedom for those who observe it.

The breath of God swirls around and through the community of REACH, refreshing, encouraging “the least of these,” the broken, the down trodden, the forgotten. God’s love for children infected by HIV/ AIDS has called REACH to serve, calls the church to join us in a myriad of programs and education that offer love, hope and courage for children who suffer life-threatening diseases. Through REACH God invites all to the table of healing and justice.

REACH is a slender ministry vitalized by the sweet and sustaining breath of God. REACH is a cord tossed from a sinner’s window marking a place of safety and hope.

A self-proclaimed “Christian environmental evangelist,” Illyn questions the dominant Evanelical Christian culture’s “manifest destiny” approach to natural resources and the subordination of indigenous peoples. Illyn believes that Christians need to rediscover the “bellybutton Christianity” of his indigenous Papua New Guinean friends, recognizing our vital connection to, and responsibility for, the earth that God has given us. Illyn sees the problem as based in the false presupposition that European Christians have been blessed by God to use the earth for their own material benefit; in turn, exiling indigenous populations to its cultural and geographic fringes. The western utilitarian ethic views man (specifically white Christian men) as the pinnacle of an ordered hierarchy of being—with everything below intended to serve those above. Illyn believes that the utilitarian-hierarchical ethic informs Evangelical Christians’ indifferent (and even hostile) attitudes towards environmental ethics. Illyn calls for an Evangelical environmental ethic better informed by “bellybutton Christianity,” which he sees as being closer to the biblical teachings on man’s intended relationship with the rest of creation.