R. York Moore
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
MP 520: Transforming Contemporary Culture (Cohort 25)
Fuller Theological Seminary
Master of Arts in Global Leadership
MP 520: Transforming Contemporary Culture
Professor Donna Downes
Spring 2012
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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Table of Contents
Introduction: Mission Mutuality around Issues of Injustice and Suffering .................................................. 3
1.
Political: How U.S Budget Cuts Prolong Global Slavery ..................................................................... 4
2.
Financial: As Poverty Shrinks, Should We Worry About Inequality? ................................................. 5
3.
Fashion/Youth Culture: Future of Feminism: Say No to Human Trafficking ...................................... 6
4.
Legal: New York Lawmakers Seek to Criminalize Viewing of Child Porn ......................................... 7
5.
Entertainment (Video): MLB Players Fighting Modern Day Slavery .................................................. 8
Conclusion: Creating Paths for a Mutuality of Engagement ........................................................................ 9
Sources ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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Introduction: Mission Mutuality around Issues of Injustice and Suffering
Evil and suffering are amongst the most important motifs in contemporary Western culture for
the Church to engage non-Christians on as well as one of the most urgent missional aspects of
evangelization. While American postmoderns will hardly agree to the likelihood of a universal
good or morality or to the concept of universal truth, there is a wide belief injustices are
inherently evil and a sense of urgency around suffering. The outpouring of support and
volunteerism after events like 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti and the 2011
Japan disasters demonstrate the Western sense of responsibility to engage circumstances of
suffering. Activism and philanthropic engagement around issues of disease, poverty, human
trafficking and other issues demonstrate an innate sense of justice amongst an emerging
generation of Americans. Suffering and evil are increasingly seen as objects for mission in the
non-Christian contemporary culture and as such provide a rich opportunity for the Church to
engage others through partnership around the ‘common bad.’
Engaging issues of injustice and suffering is a centerpiece of historic Christian mission and ought
to be an integrated component of missional activity and mutuality in partnership with nonChristians. Understanding the contemporary culture’s thinking and approach to mission around
issues of evil and suffering will allow for substantive, effectual, and transformative partnerships
in Christian mission. From a political, financial, entertainment, legal and fashion/youth culture
paradigm, we can see the common-place concern and conviction to act from multiple cultural
vantage points:
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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1. Political: How U.S Budget Cuts Prolong Global Slavery1
Analysis: E. Benjamin Skinner is an Investigative Journalist at the Schuster Institute for
Investigative Journalism, Brandeis University. In this Time-World article, Skinner poignantly
addresses the durable connection between relief and restoration efforts for victims of slavery,
particularly in Cambodia, and the realities of U.S. politics and economic constraints. Skinner
explains that the U.S. State Department is responsible for publishing the Trafficking in Persons
Report (TIP), a detailed assessment of the status of slavery around the world. Skinner
demonstrates how often TIP and the State Department’s tangible response to assist in political
and economic solutions abroad are often hindered by partisan politics and U.S. economic
realities. Skinner also details the frequent congressional expert witness and field work of the
International Justice Mission and that organization’s involvement in assisting the U.S.
government in understanding the realities of global slavery.
Missiological Connection: Skinner dances between chronicling the ebb and flow of abolitionist
efforts in passing substantive laws and policy and the economic and political realities that often
deter these same laws and policies. Significantly, Skinner details the importance of the field
work of the Christian non-governmental organization, the International Justice Mission, in
propelling political efforts forward. For Skinner, there is importance in statistically assessing the
current trends on global slavery and actions based on those trends. Finally, Skinner makes the
appeal that governments have a responsibility to do more than pass laws and dialogue about
injustices like slavery. Interspersed throughout the article are ethical assertions pointing to the
moral responsibility of political leaders and citizens in addressing the global slave trade.
1
(Skinner June 2011)
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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2. Financial: As Poverty Shrinks, Should We Worry About Inequality?2
Analysis: Kenneth Rapoza is a contributing investment reporter for Forbes Magazine. In this
counter-intuitive piece, Rapoza statistically demonstrates that the world’s poor have actually
shrunk though the disparity between rich and poor has increased. While one could argue with
Rapoza’s metrics for measuring poverty, the article demonstrates that that the world’s poor have
become ‘less poor’ and that extreme poverty (those living on less than $1.25/day) has declined
significantly since 2008. Rapoza demonstrates that particularly in emerging markets, the rate of
growth of the wealthy has increased at a faster pace, leading to a greater disparity between rich
and poor globally. The primary thrust of the article focuses on concerns this growing disparity
presents for investors, particularly investors in emerging markets. The concerns Rapoza points
out revolve primarily around a sense of collective outrage amongst citizens who are becoming
increasingly aware of economic disparities, noting particularly the energy of the Occupy
Movement in the U.S., and not the inherent wrong of poverty or overt disparities.
Missiological Connection: While Rapoza focuses on investment concerns and statistical realities
of economic trend data, this investment article speaks in moral categories about the reduction of
poverty and the living improvements of the world’s poor. Rapoza also correctly cites the default
sense of injustice the wealthy in the West have toward economic disparities in the developing
world, not merely with their own economic challenges or constraints. This default orientation
represents a significant connecting point to the Church’s mission in caring for the poor and
engaging with systemic issues around wealth and poverty.
2
(Rapoza April 2012)
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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3. Fashion/Youth Culture: Future of Feminism: Say No to Human Trafficking3
Analysis: Dr. Aviva Dove-Viebahn is a contributor to Ms. Magazine’s National Activism section
with a PHD in Visual and Cultural Studies from the University of Rochester. Dove-Viebahn
surprisingly defends traditional sex work from a feminist perspective while expressing a sense of
moral latitude around issues of forced labor and prostitution. Her interest article revolves around
the assertion that people ought to be free to engage in prostitution while being protected from the
coercive practices of slavery. As a feminist, Dove-Viebahn’s piece emphasizes the unique plight
of women as objects of commoditization and the impact abuse and exploitation has on the
individual. Dove-Viebahn chronicles the effectual work of a variety of non-profit anti-slavery
organizations that are working for women’s rights. For Dove-Viebahn, the issues of sexual
slavery and women’s rights are intimately intertwined as she concludes, “To me, these goals
represent one of the foundations of feminism: that every person should be free from oppression
and harassment–free to choose how to lead their life.”
Missiological Connection: Dove-Viebahn’s concern for women and their unique plight as
victims of exploitation serves as common ground for dialogue and partnership. While there are
places of disagreement (e.g. the legitimacy of prostitution as an industry), the concern for
freedom and the value of the individual represent tangible places for mutual advocacy and
partnership. Dove-Veibahn’s piece as a part of Ms. Magazine also represents the ubiquitous
presence of concern in contemporary culture for issues of human rights and suffering. DoveViebahn references specifically a Christian non-profit that I and InterVarsity are already in
substantive partnership with around issues of gender-based injustices and forced prostitution.
3
(Dove-Viebahn March 2012)
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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4. Legal: New York Lawmakers Seek to Criminalize Viewing of Child Porn 4
Analysis: M. Alex Johnson is a correspondent covering breaking and political news for MSNBC.
In this recent article, Johnson chronicles the emerging dialogue around the illegality of viewing
and possessing child pornography. Johnson reports that the highest court in the State of New
York recently found that the mere viewing of child pornography on the internet was not, in itself,
a crime. This finding, Johnson says, will be challenged by pending legislation designed to
protect children from predators and to punish those who both possess and consume child
pornography over the internet. The new laws will address the ‘dominion and control’ of images
as a morally culpable act. The recent court ruling, Johnson documents, created outrage and a
commitment to act not only on the part of conservative religious and political entities but also
bipartisan political leaders. Johnson details statements from political leaders referencing the
moral reprehensibility of legitimizing child pornography and the urgency to act to put in place
policies to safeguard children.
Missiological Connection: The unique value and vulnerability of children from a wide spectrum
of political and social bases demonstrates a strong opportunity for connection and partnership.
Johnson’s documentation of the widespread appeal for ‘affirmative polices’ that assume a moral
culpability revolving around the consumption of erotic child-oriented images speaks of the innate
sense of sanctity we place on children. These sentiments and convictions provide robust
opportunity for Christians to join with law makers, concerned citizens, and non-profit leaders in
engaging in mission.
4
(Johnson May 2012)
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5. Entertainment (Video): MLB Players Fighting Modern Day Slavery5
Mark McKay, CNN correspondent, reports on the growing trend amongst Major League
Baseball players in the United States to promote social justice causes. Particularly in this video
report, McKay details David Batstone’s ‘Free to Play’ program, an innovative program created
to help fund the Not for Sale Campaign’s anti-trafficking efforts in Asia. McKay interviews
several players who share their motivation for supporting Batstone’s program. Various players
are highlighted, sharing their motivations for participating in the anti-trafficking program. Of
particular note is the emphasis players put on supporting the dream of children and the normative
expectations kids should have to play. Motivations range from the conviction that trafficking is
inherently wrong to feeling emotionally connected to the issue due to their own personal
parenting obligations. Fans can also pledge money based on their player’s performance,
leveraging the entertainment of baseball for social justice.
Missiological Connection: Entertainment and sports are often a form of escape from the
problems of this world and life in general but increasingly, Americans want their entertainment
to serve a higher purpose. Linking sports and entertainment to causes creates opportunities for
partnership, dialogue, and philanthropy. David Batstone, a personal friend and Christian leader,
has done an exemplary job of creating space for mutuality and effectual engagement around a
shared conviction-that human trafficking is inherently evil and that no one should be ‘for sale.’
McKay’s video report demonstrates the widespread interest in popular culture for engaging in
social justice, presenting rich opportunities for influence and partnership.
5
(McKay April 4, 2012)
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Conclusion: Creating Paths for a Mutuality of Engagement
As the dominant culture begins to value issues of justice and engage in the fight against systemic
evils, there is a rich opportunity to engage and invite partnership with traditionally non-Christian
and even anti-Christian organizations and leaders from a wide spectrum of societal institutions.
Several common convictions emerge as has been demonstrated by the aforementioned secular
sources. Amongst these are a value for human life, a desire for human flourishing, a passion for
children, a belief that we are responsible for others-even when they are distant, and the value to
pursue righteousness and fight injustices. Caring for those who suffer and addressing systemic
issues of injustice are not merely the concerns for the Church but have now come to the center of
an emerging American generation. While this trend has its benefits, without the unique
leadership of the Church, contemporary culture will often devolve into humanism or create new
problems by ill-formed solutions.
InterVarsity in the U.S. is engaging non and anti-Christian student organizations and leaders
from a wide variety of industries around mutual convictions in the areas of suffering and
injustice. Durable partnerships in areas of mutuality have spawned multi-year, multi-campus,
multi-organizational coalitions, changed state law, altered college administrations, created large
amounts of financial resources for front-line justice work, and have led to thousands of students
coming to faith and engaging in Christian community. Providing thought leadership, creative
activism, and theological integration, InterVarsity’s robust and perennial commitment to social
justice has led to 8 consecutive years of dramatic evangelistic and conversion growth. Much of
this growth has relied on partnerships of mutuality with non and anti-Christian student
organizations.
Connected by Evil: Missional Mutuality and Contemporary Culture
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Sources
Dove-Viebahn, Aviva. 2012. Future of Feminism: Say No to Human Trafficking. Ms. Magazine
March 2012 [cited May 23 2012]. Available from
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2012/03/30/future-of-feminism-say-no-to-humantrafficking/.
Johnson, M. Alex. 2012. New York Lawmakers Seek to Criminalize Viewing of Child Porn.
MSNBC May 2012 [cited May 23 2012]. Available from
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/09/11622317-new-york-lawmakers-seekto-criminalize-viewing-of-child-porn?lite
McKay, Mark. 2012. MLB Players Fighting Modern Day Slavery. CNN April 4, 2012 [cited
May 23 2012]. Available from http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/sports/2012/04/04/cfpbaseball-players-strike-out-slavery.cnn#/video/sports/2012/04/04/cfp-baseball-playersstrike-out-slavery.cnn.
Rapoza, Kenneth. 2012. As Poverty Shrinks, Should We Worry About Inequality? Forbes April
2012 [cited May 23 2012]. Available from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2012/04/25/as-poverty-shrinks-should-we-worryabout-inequality/.
Skinner, E. Benjamin. How U.S. Budget Cuts Prolong Global Slavery. Time World June 2011
[cited 5/23/2012. Available from
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2080202,00.html.
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