Welcome to the Social Question!
It's been a year!
It has been just over a year since I started writing on Substack. This platform has grown into more than I could have ever imagined! I have been challenged and encouraged while writing these essays for you. Your feedback and interest have made me a better pastor, writer, and Christian. Thanks to you, the word is getting out that there are abundant theological and ethical resources waiting for us to rediscover, apply, and continue developing for the issues we face in our society today. I am more hopeful than ever that a new wave of ministry is upon us, one that will produce fresh innovations for faithfully following Jesus in his kingdom.
I finally got around to crafting a welcome letter for new subscribers. This brief post is great to share with others who might be interested in my writing here. The best way you can support my work here is by sharing it with others. Thank you for following along so far!
Dear Reader,
Thank you for subscribing to the Social Question! I’m glad you’re here.
In 2016, my wife and I took a vacation to Japan together. It was one of the best weeks of my life! The food, the sights—everything about our trip was amazing… except for the public transportation. The subway system in Tokyo is intense, and we often found ourselves getting lost during the first few days as we tried to navigate the city. It wasn’t until a kind man pulled us aside and explained the map of Tokyo’s subway system that we regained our bearings and could move about the city with confidence.
In 2020, I found myself lost in a very different way. Like most people in our country, I felt tossed around by the societal forces of Trump’s first presidency, the increasing awareness of racial injustices, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Christian pastor, I was completely unprepared to address any of these issues with my congregation, let alone all three at once. I often felt like I was making it up as I went along; it seemed as though we were all in new and uncharted territory. As a pastor, it pained me to think that my Reformed theological tradition had nothing to say about the social issues we were all confronting.
I was exhausted, heartbroken, and defeated. I didn’t know where to turn.
One day, a new thought struck me for the first time: What if my Reformed theological tradition has something to say about the issues we’re facing, and I’ve just missed it? What if my Reformed ancestors did address complex social injustices, and we’ve simply ignored or forgotten their work? What if there is rich theological ethics just waiting for us to rediscover and apply anew to the demands of the present age?
It was that thought that began my journey focusing on missiology and theological ethics—a form of spiritual cartography that aligns our beliefs with how we should live. My own Reformed tradition, as it turns out, has abundant resources just waiting for us to apply and further develop to address the issues of our time. However, this work necessitates serious effort from those who wish to see Jesus’ kingdom break into the world as we know it.
In 2021, our family moved from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., to the inner city of Indianapolis to begin cultivating a new kingdom-oriented church in one of our city’s most neglected neighborhoods. This work of spiritual cartography has been crucial to our ministry efforts as I’ve sought to apply the best of the Reformed tradition to the unique demands of the urban context. In 2022, I began pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Urban Mission with Soong-Chan Rah at Fuller Theological Seminary to further advance my work.
This Substack is the result of my ministry labors and doctoral studies. ‘The social question’ was a term used by the likes of Abraham Kuyper and Pope Leo XIII around the turn of the 20th century as industrialization and globalization brought about significant economic and social injustice for the poor and working classes. In a world marked by increasing economic exploitation, racial injustice, and social polarization, today’s ‘social question’ demands that the Church address the issues faced by those who live on the margins of our cities.
Using this platform, I aim to answer a simple yet pressing question: What does it mean to follow Jesus in urban contexts that are shaped by significant social inequality, social polarization, and spiritual confusion? I hope that, as I explore this question from various perspectives, I can assist you in creating a map that addresses the profound issues you encounter in your context.
I know I keep using the word “Reformed,” which may turn some of you off. Before you hit ‘unsubscribe,’ consider that I might be using this word differently than you’re used to. I am rooted in the Reformed tradition, but I believe you will find that I critically examine our shortcomings while remaining hopeful about our potential. The Reformed tradition may not provide the best map for today’s issues, but it is a good map, and I think you will find it useful even if this tradition is not your own.
On this site, you’ll find reflections on topics like:
The theological integrity and social implications of church planting
Unique insights from the Reformed tradition for social issues today
The church’s failures—especially Presbyterian ones—on race and justice
Reorienting our lives toward solidarity with the oppressed
Engaging immigration, anti-Blackness, economic injustices, and other pressing social issues
Practical steps churches can take on mission that is oriented to the kingdom of God
Occasionally, I also write on issues like grief, gardening, and leadership as well.
If you’re just joining, here are a few recommended pieces to start with:
“What is the Mission of the Church?” – for a foundational vision of how theology meets public life.
“A Presbyterian Failure” – an honest reckoning with institutional shortcomings.
“A Theology for Nonpersons” – a call to recover the image of God in those the world forgets.
There are three ways you can support my work:
1. Engage with my posts by sharing feedback, questions, or even criticism. How does my writing challenge you? Where am I off? What topics would you like to hear more about from me? Your comments help me become a better writer and pastor.
2. Share this Substack with friends, church members, or colleagues who care about the church’s witness in the world. Your recommendation is the best way for this work to grow.
3. Become a paid subscriber to support this work. While I remain dedicated to providing all my content for free, many of these posts require significant time for research and writing for you. As an urban church planter and a father of four, your support enables my wife and me to afford some babysitting and enjoy a night off together.
Thanks again for subscribing. I hope this space challenges, encourages, and equips you to think more faithfully about your role in Christ’s kingdom mission.
With gratitude,
Ben Hein
