WALDROP: A Biblical view of ‘class warfare’

“You’re creating class warfare” is a popular accusation made against those who expose, condemn and seek to reduce the great gulf between extremely rich and desperately poor members of our society. Many rich and poor people live within arms reach of each other, but, sadly, the stigma from negative-sounding political labels can make the rest of us forget the class warriors who used to be our friends and teachers. Who are they? Well ...

Take the prophet Isaiah, for example. One of his many “class warfare” statements was: “What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” (Isa. 3:15). Do you think his knees wobbled as he condemned such economic disparity?

Remember Ezekiel’s “class warfare” demand to his government: “Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people!” (Ezek. 45:9-12ff). If his lips quivered, it came from conviction. He was not embarrassed over a buzz word intended to silence him. Are you?

Then there is Amos, speaking about “the lifestyles of the rich and poor”: “They sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as though they were dirt on the ground; and, they deny justice to the oppressed.” (Amos 2: 6b-7a). Was he deflected by “class envy” charges when he said that God would “crush them like an overloaded and overturning cart,” for their economic callousness (Amos 2:13ff).

The prophet Micah indicted the country for abuse of homeless women and children: “You drive the women of my people from their happy homes and remove my blessing from their children forever” (Micah 2:9ff.). Was this class warfare or human rights?

Hear the prophet Jeremiah’s message against the judicial system: “They do not plead the case of the fatherless convincingly or defend the rights of the poor. Shouldn’t I punish them for this? Shouldn’t I avenge such a nation?” (Jer. 5:28b-29). And against the religious community: “It is horrible and shocking that the prophets lie and the priests support them; and the people want it” (Jer. 5:30-31). Powerful judges and clergy were victimizing children and poor people … class warfare, again, or a call for simple justice?

At the close of the book of Proverbs, the King’s own mother reminds him: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Prov. 31:8-9). Does “class warfare” trump health care for those who can’t find it?   

The New Testament Apostles preached: “You have insulted the poor. Isn’t it the rich who are exploiting you? Aren’t they the ones who are dragging you into court?” (James 2:5-6). Furthermore, “Now listen, you rich people: you should be crying and moaning because of the misery coming upon you.” (James 5:1). Is this class warfare again … or economic justice (2Cor. 8:13-15).

Jesus’ mother knew that he would be accused of class warfare long before his economic parables (The Last Judgment in Matt. 25:31-46; The Laborers in the Vineyard in Matt. 20:1-16; The Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31; etc.), and his Sermons on the Mount (Matt., Chapters 5-7) and on the Plain (Luke 6:20b-25b). Mary sang with joy that he would “pull down the powerful from their thrones, lift up the lowly, fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty” (Luke 1:52-53).

“Send the rich away empty”? Now, who wants to charge Jesus with “class warfare”… anyone?