Robert McAfee Brown & The Developing World (PhD Edit)

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Robert McAfee Brown (1984) comments that in the Bible, in places such as Exodus, God takes a position against those who promote oppression and injustice.[1]  God at times does take sides in human struggles,[2] and God does side with the oppressed.[3]  Christians are sometimes in the delicate and tricky position of staying true to Biblical standards and yet standing with those who are oppressed and within the world system,[4] even if they are not believers and live outside of Christian morality.[5]  Those in power who call themselves Christians need to be respectfully challenged if they are perceived with a significant deal of evidence, to be involved in abusive practice.[6]  Western Christians need to examine the side they are on in many of the world’s social struggles, particularly in regard to the third world.[7]

In my mind there is a danger that Christianity, whether conservative or liberal, becomes overly influenced by cultures where it exists.  Christian thought must stay true to Biblical and theological principles at the expense of being led astray by societal movements that later in history may be deemed to have been corrupt.  Any historical corruption of the Christian Church is, in the end, a poor witness of Christ and the gospel and weakens the credibility of Christian ministry in the minds of many critics.[8]

Back to what Brown stated, as certain Christians may be on the wrong side of history on certain social issues.[9] 

Brown believes the Bible teaches that there is hope for those in the world who are poor and oppressed.[10]  He explains that if God sided with these suffering persons in Biblical times, he also does today.[11]  I can grant this proposition,[12] and state that although the salvific work of Christ for humanity should remain the core of Christian faith and philosophy, simultaneous to this Christians must help in an earthly physical sense, those they are attempting to assist in a spiritual sense.  This is an important and essential way of making theology practical. 

In a somewhat similar way Brown raises issues about the suffering of the poor. He desires liberation for those within third world today (the developing world) from suffering and oppression.  A reasonable view of Reformed soteriology and theodicy should be very concerned with the everyday lives of women and the poor, and all persons. 

ANDERSON, RAY S. (2001) The Shape of Practical Theology, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.

BROWN, ROBERT MCAFEE (1984) Unexpected News, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.

GEBARA, IVONE (2002) Out of the Depths, Translated by Ann Patrick Ware, Minneapolis, Fortress Press. 

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[1] Brown (1984: 34).

[2] Brown (1984: 34).

[3] Brown (1984: 41).

[4] Anderson (2001:181). 

[5] A good Christian witness will treat non-believers with love, care and respect.

[6] Brown (1984: 160-161).

[7] Brown (1984: 160-161).  Anderson (2001: 181).  The third world is also known as the developing world.

[8] Anderson reasons the Church needs to repent for wrong doing in its existence.  Anderson (2001: 180-181).

[9] Brown (1984: 160-161).

[10] Brown (1984: 14).  Gebara (2002: 107).

[11] Brown (1984: 14).

[12] Brown (1984: 14).