Social Issues

An incarnational faith – one that lays great emphasis upon the facts of God’s full engagement with the world through the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ – means that the issues of society are the concerns of God. For God matter matters – spirituality is not a running away from the world but a deeper way into it and through it into the beyond which lies so close to us in it. The life of Christ is sure indication to us of the justice and the mercy that is at the heart of God, and of God’s option for the poor, so that the whole created order may find redemption and fulfilment in its creator. The Church has sought to be alert to these issues and has engaged not only in pastoral work with those who are oppressed personally, mentally or physically, but also has addressed the causes of oppression through political and societal means. Many of the welfare services we take for granted in the UK were initiated by the Church of England which has retained its interest and critical involvement through the years.