In our current state of affairs, it is quite unfortunate how discussion about justice is so polarized. Ideological debates about how to pursue justice are often totalizing. In the process, it can be all too easy to obfuscate real human issues and undermine the potential for constructive dialogue. While it is true that life-visions of the just do differ—and such differences should not be minimized or ignored—it has been my impression over the past several years that tribalism has magnified our differences to the detriment of not only ourselves, but those most in need of an advocate.

If Christians are called to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with [our] God,” what does that look like today? What does a Christian social ethic look like in a time full of so much vitriol, confusion, and cynicism? One thing is certain: it does not conform to a party platform. God’s heart is bigger than our boxes.

As Christians first-and-foremost, our biggest concern is remaining faithful to Christ. When Jesus calls, our response should be to leave everything, for “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for [His] name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). In your pursuit of the Kingdom, you will become a stranger in a foreign land. You will not fit in.

For this edition, we encouraged our staff to address hard topics. Our goal is to start a conversation about what it truly means to “plead the cause” of the widow and the orphan—what this looks like, why it’s important, and how this pursuit can be rooted in a genuine desire to love Christ and glorify God.

Because of our limitations, we have not addressed every justice issue, but thankfully the conversation does not stop here. Justice requires conversation and collaboration. We encourage you to engage with our ideas.

I hope you can join us as we pursue the heart of Christ for what is good, true, and just.