text: Not sure I quite follow, Monte. But the political aspirations (social justice passions) of 1st Century Jews were very much tied to flesh and blood suffering at the hands of the Romans. It wasn't simply theoretical injustice. By any rational standard, Roman oppression was the overwhelming cause of Jewish want and suffering. 
  
  I think Christian social justice combatants have to grapple honestly with the theological significance of Jesus failure to endorse political solutions for social injustice before urging the church to engage in divisive political battles. To repeat myself, Jesus' refusal to seek political reform or avail Himself of political power are like "the dog that didn't bark."