Critical Engagement with Biblical Justice

Critical Engagement with Biblical Justice aims to explore the intersection between Western moral reflection and contemporary critical justice theory toward a philosophically informed Christian moral apologetic. It includes the IJF two-day In Search of Biblical Justice Conference, 6/9-10. The 2023 theme is Connecting Justice, Human Rights, and Civil Rights: The Last Frontier.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY:

This course guides the student's search for biblical justice through critical engagement with a contemporary justice theorist. Students will compare and contrast the ideology of a contemporary justice theorist with the course's information. The successful student will demonstrate the capacity to synthesize salient principles from selected theorists while articulating a personal justice formation paradigm.

LEARNING GOALS:

Successful students will be able to:

• Recognize some of the more prominent moral theories and theorists in the history of Western thought. (Lecture, Reading, and Research)

• Gain competence in the use of the relevant philosophical and theological vocabulary and concepts associated with critical moral reflection, contemporary theology, and critical justice theory. (Lecture, Reading, and Research)

• Analyze the relative merits of competing moral theories and philosophical arguments embedded in the work of various critical justice theorists. (Class Discussion and Research)

• SLO’s 1.1.1-2, 1.2.1-2, 1.3.1, 1.4.1, 1.6.1, 2.1.1-2, 2.2.1-2, 2.3.1, 2.4.1, 2.5.1-2, 3.1.1-2, 3.3.1, 3.4.1, 3.5.1-2

COURSE FORMAT:

Unless modified, the class will meet on Monday evenings for twelve weeks. Class time will be a combination of lecture and discussion

REQUIRED READING:

Gaita, Raimond, A Common Humanity: thinking about love and truth and justice, Routledge Press, 2002, paperback. AUTHORS OF INTEREST for book reviews: Anderson, Carol; Arendt, Hannah; Baldwin, Lewis; Banks, Taunya Lovell; Bantum, Brian; Berry, Wendell; Cone, James H.; DiAngelo, Robin; Dill, Bonnie Thornton; Golash-Boza, Tanya; Hart, Drew I.G.; Jennings, Willie James; Lynn, Richard; May, Vivian M.; Mills, Charles W.; Powery, Emerson B.; Powery, Luke A.; Rothstein, Richard; Thurmond, Howard; Tutu, Desmond; Volf, Miroslav; Walker-Barnes, Chanequa; Wallis, Jim; West, Cornel.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

• Class and conference attendance and participation/assigned readings.

• Pre-conference book review and post-conference 10-page reflection.

PREREQUISITE:

EH 3205, MF 4333 (For students enrolled in the GCBJF program)

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

This course meets a core curriculum requirement of the GCBJF. It can be an elective for the MCL and GCCL.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

12-page Research Paper