Social Justice, Contrary To Conventional Wisdom, ...

Social Justice, contrary to conventional wisdom, is more actively supported by evangelicals than mainline Protestants finds Calvin College research fellow Stephen Monsma. Of 500 welfare-to-work programs studied, 96 were Protestant programs, 61 sponsored by evangelical churches vs. 35 by mainlines. Among the evangelicals, 4% encourage their clients to make personal religious commitments and 7% use religious values and motivations to encourage clients to change their attitudes or values. 51% of the evangelical programs receive government funding compared to 40% of the mainline programs. Monsma says, “Evangelical programs can compete with anyone else in terms of effectiveness.” (Christianity Today 7/06)