Justice, Church, and Society (MF 4333) 

Through probing and insightful lectures and readings, students will learn of the intricate relationship between anthropology, sociology, and theology so they may appreciate the inestimable value of an interdisciplinary search for Biblical justice.

Can either a dominant or a marginalized congregation experience biblical justice in a racialized society?

Can you identify an example of a biblical tradition where a person brought justice to a situation of oppression and injustice? 

Can you identify an example of a biblical tradition where a person brought justice to a situation of oppression and injustice? 

Does God know why humans reject His justice standards?

The justice God demands is measured by how a community treats the poor and oppressed among them. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

These are a few of the questions that this course, the second in the curriculum for the Graduate Certificate in Biblical Justice Formation, will address.

It will also challenge students to bring the transformational potential of biblical texts to bear on critical current justice context, specifically, in terms of the distribution of social benefits and penalties; of the exercise of legitimate power; of fairness and balance; and of honoring the rights or entitlements of people made in the image of God. 

Additionally, this course will challenge students to critique religious behaviors (are they congruent or incongruent with Biblical Justice?) by reflecting upon and contrasting what they love and what God loves.

Topics:

  • Evolution of Racism in American History

  • The Doctrine of Discovery

  • Christianity and Slavery

  • The Slave Bible

  • The 13th and 14th Amendments of the US Constitution

  • Sociology for Theology 

  • De facto vs De Jure Segregation

  • Jim Crow and Nazism

  • The Caste System

  • The Separation of Church and State

  • The Equal Rights Initiative

  • Religious Liberty

  • Christian Nationalism 

  • Implicit Bias and America’s Criminal Justice System

  • Black Church History

  • Policing in America

  • Justice Formation

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: 

This course will further students’ search for Biblical Justice by examining the relationship between Justice, Church, and Society. Students will reflect upon the church's historical role (particularly in terms of its influence on the interpretation, exposition, and embrace or rejection of Biblical Justice) in shaping America’s ideologies around domestic policies and economic imperialism. 

This informed perspective will help students develop educational, advocative, worshipful ministries that resonate with and inspire believers in diverse cultures.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Through participation in this course, students will be able to describe justice in the Biblical worldview and to articulate the inevitable connection between society's values and theological interpretation. 

COURSE FORMAT: 

MF 4333 is a semester-long hybrid course taught as lectures and interactive discussions interspersed with virtual museum tours. Student assessment will include attendance, weekly assignments and reflections, group discussions, and a final paper. 


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Philosophy of Religion