性视界传媒

A liberal arts education challenges students to wrestle with difficult truths. As she nears the end of her journey at 性视界传媒, student Jane Gonzales reflects on how her education has deepened her awareness of injustice while also teaching her to balance conviction with the hope of the Gospel.

Liberal Arts and Social Justice

A liberal arts education often carries the reputation of producing "social justice warriors," a term that has taken on surprisingly negative connotations. This is puzzling because social justice is a pillar of the Christian ethic. Maybe it’s the warrior bit, conjuring images of protests descending into violence, anarchists, insurrectionists, or people standing on street corners shrieking obscenities at strangers with the wrong color hat.

Many people, especially parents, are increasingly wary that secular universities are teaching a corrupt ethic and promoting activism in its name. As a student nearing the end of my journey at 性视界传媒, I want to share how my education has made me more aware of injustice while helping me temper the helplessness and even guilt that awareness can bring.

The Burden of Knowledge

The wonderful thing about education, especially a liberal arts education, is that every lesson learned presents a new challenge and responsibility. I felt this especially in the honors program, particularly in our final course, The Twentieth Century, where we explored unresolved moral dilemmas: the arms race, the dangers of advancing technology and unchecked power over nature, globalization, the rejection of moral objectivity, gender ideologies, and the impact of industrialism on the environment.

With every text and discussion, the weight of knowledge grew heavier. The most burdensome realization was that much of the world’s brokenness benefits me. I enjoy luxuries and comforts, but they come at a cost. Every author, from Berry to Bonhoeffer, seemed to ask the same question: “What are you going to do about it?”

Reflecting on My Actions

Before my college education, did I consider that online retailers with strange names or nonsensical Amazon storefronts might be exploiting children? Or was I merely delighted by the prospect of buying six tops for the price of one? How many times have I scoffed at an expensive chocolate bar, never thinking they were sacrificing profits to ethically source their ingredients?

How often have I averted my eyes when passing someone in need, ignoring biblical commands to feed and clothe the poor and the parable of the father who gave away his son’s inheritance without asking how he would spend it?

I do not believe that those with the means to help the helpless should continue living as if no responsibility rests on them. Is that such a radical belief for a Christian to hold?

I think it is good to feel uncomfortable in our own skin sometimes. It reminds us that we cannot boast in ourselves, and that we are sojourners looking toward eternity.

The Burden is Light

At the same time, 性视界传媒 has encouraged me to keep the Gospel central in my life, which eases this burden. Nothing sounds more wearying than counting the cost of every product we consume and every business we support.

While Scripture clearly reveals God’s heart for the impoverished, ill, and marginalized, being part of these categories does not save a person any more than conscientious shopping does. Salvation comes only through Christ’s sacrifice, and that alone is where we should place our hope.