Pentecostal Discussions

Poverty and Ecology

by Shane Clifton

I would like to address a debate that has been underway between Josh Ballard and Kate Tennikoff in the comments section of this blog (see here)

Josh's concern is that the cost of fixing global environmental problems will distract us from focusing on the issue of poverty - that the money we spend on global warming would be better spent on world poverty.   This is a common view, and the argument against addressing climate change has further weight if people take the view that the mechanisms of capitalism and industrialization that are understood to contribute to third world development also contribute to pollution and other environmental problems - i.e. that we need to choose between economic development for the sake of the poor and environmental concerns. 

I would argue, however, that this is a false dichotomy.  Indeed, it is now generally accepted that the issues of human poverty and environmental destruction go hand in hand and further, that global society can and should work toward the goal of environmentally sustainable human development.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger

by Shane Clifton

Given the assumption of my series thus far (see here, here, and here), that addressing the situation of global poverty is central to the mission of the church in proclaiming the kingdom of God, the question that then arises is a practical one.  How should this mission to the poor be framed?  What should we do and say, as both individuals, local churches and global movements, that might be said to be an appropriate response to both Jesus’ priority for the poor and the needs of the contemporary situation?

Perhaps the most obvious response, at least for those Christians in wealthy nations, is the assertion that rich Christians should pursue a simpler lifestyle in order to give generously to the poor and, thereby, promote a more just distribution of the Worlds resources.  Representative of this argument is the now classic text by Ronald J. Sider, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger.[1]  Describing the plight of our “billion hungry neighbours,” as well as setting out a biblical perspective on the poor and possessions, Sider challenges Western materialism and provides a compelling argument for plain living and, thereafter, expansive giving.  Concerned particularly with the problem of the distribution of the world’s resources, he provides practical suggestions for ways that rich Christians (understood to include almost all Christians in wealthy nations) can spend less and give more; the graduated tithe, strict budgeting, reduced spending on consumables, use of public transport, second hand purchasing, gardening to reduce food budgets, and community living.[2]

As much as i appreciate the prophetic challenge of Sider's work, i confess i have major economic problems with this argument.  However, i reckon its best if i leave the matter for your response first.

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[1] {Sider 1977 #4080}.

[2] {Sider 1977 #4080}, 149-162.

War: Robert Fisk: The Age of Terror

Patrik Hagman, from God in a Shrinking Universe, has recently brought to our attention a challenging and bleak report from Robert Frisk on the Age of Terror (click here).  In the light of our recent discussions on war, it is worth taking the time to read.

Why has the church ignored the poor?

by Shane Clifton

We need to answer the question about how to help the poor – but before we do, we need to determine whether ministry to the poor is part of the church’s mission.  At first glance, it might seem to be self-evident that the church has a responsibility to the poor.  It is somewhat disheartening, however, to discover that religion, in general, and Christianity in particular, has been described as part of the problem; as something that needs to be put aside if the challenge of poverty is to be finally addressed.  As Karl Marx famously argued:

The social principles of Christianity justified the slavery of Antiquity, glorified the serfdom of the Middle Ages and equally know, when necessary, how to defend the oppression of the proletariat, although they make a pitiful face over it. The social principles of Christianity preach the necessity of a ruling and an oppressed class, and all they have for the latter is the pious wish the former will be charitable. The social principles of Christianity transfer the consistorial councillor’s adjustment of all infamies to heaven and thus justify the further existence of those infamies on earth. The social principles of Christianity declare all vile acts of the oppressors against the oppressed to be either the just punishment of original sin and other sins or trials that the Lord in his infinite wisdom imposes on those redeemed (1).

Extreme Poverty

by Shane Clifton

In the previous post i commented on the global poverty in terms of income.  The issue is that low incomes translates itself into untold sufffering of various dimensions. Here are some more terrible statistics from the HDR.

More than 10 million children die each year before the age of five, and more than 98% of these live in poor countries.  As the report notes, “they die because of where they are born,” a matter that is especially disturbing given that almost all “of these deaths could be prevented by simple, low-cost interventions.”[1]  In some countries more than 50% of children are considered to be underweight for their age, with more than 850 million people worldwide suffering the deleterious effects of malnutrition, which in turn makes them vulnerable to ill health and disease.  HIV/AIDS has had a particularly brutal impact on some countries, with infection rates in certain African nations exceeding 15% of the population.[2]  The effects of malnutrition and disease are exacerbated by the fact that “more than 1 billion people lack access to safe water and 2.6 billion lack access to improved sanitation.”[3]  Taken altogether, these interrelated dimensions of poverty pursue people throughout their lives, so that citizens of the worlds poorest 32 countries can expect to live an average of less than 46 years.  In Sub-Saharan Africa, people born in nations such as Zambia have a life expectancy of as little as 37 years,[4] a figure that is less than half of the average 80 year lifespan of citizens living in the world’s wealthiest nations.