"Economic justice is mentioned 3,000 times in our Scriptures, both the New Testament and the Hebrew Scriptures. This is such a core part of our tradition, and it’s nowhere to be seen in Christian nationalism or on the religious right."James Talarico
It's almost impossible to figure out who's who in the American mish-mash of politics and religion and I'm tempted not to even try. I didn't know Charlie Kirk from the proverbial hole in the ground until his death, only to discover that he was a star of the Republican and Christian right.
Similarly, I had no idea who James Talarico is until I saw this quote from Ezra Klein. Talarico is young, as was Kirk.both of them in their thirties. He is a Democratic political figure from Texas who is also a Christian but with a different perspective. According to one bio he is:
Known for his articulate speeches, progressive faith-based politics, and viral public moments, Talarico has emerged as one of the most compelling new voices in Southern politics. In 2025, he announced his run for the United States Senate, bringing his focus on education, working families, and justice reform to the national stage.
I clicked on the link to his interview in which he points out, rightly, that Jesus never spoke about abortion, or gay people, let alone describe them as a sin or sinners. He is correct in noting that there are thousands of references to economic justice and the sin of injustice that offends God. And that these verses, including some of the sternest warnings Jesus uttered, are steadfastly ignored by Christians to the theological right in the United States and in Canada.
Being what some would describe and condemn as a liberal Christian because of my "going to hell in a hand-basket woke" views I am regularly baffled by the staunch ignorance by those who claim to be Bible-believing Christians of a core teaching of scripture in both older and newer Testaments.
When I might be inclined to dismiss American Christianity as a whole, I am reminded of the millions of Jesus followers, including many Evangelicals, who are determined to live the gospel with courage and compassion.
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