In Search of Biblical Justice

Students in this course will identify characteristic features of the Bible's teachings on justice revealed through God's self-disclosure and reflect upon their availability to be a catalyst for Biblical Justice in our world.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY:

This course is designed to guide the student's search for Biblical Justice by first examining what God declares about justice and righteousness in His word and secondly reflecting upon the responsibility of Christians to originate, implement, and sustain worship, educational, and advocational initiatives that promote the transformational characteristic of Biblical Justice for all persons across all callings who are interested in doing what is right and just, intrinsically.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Through the successful completion of this course, a student should have:

• An understanding of justice as revealed in Christian Scripture: 1.1.1-2, 1.2.2

• An ability to think theologically and critically about God's justice requirement:1.4.1-2, 2.2.1-2.

• A foundation for investigating and promoting the transformational character of Biblical justice as the mission of the Church in the 21st Century: 1.6.1-2, 2.1.1-2, 2.2, 2.4.1-2, 2.5.1-2, 3.1.1-2, 3.4.1, 3.5.1-2.

COURSE FORMAT:

We deliver this semester-long course through a series of lectures and collaborative discussions. Student assessment will include attendance, an in-class survey on the first day, weekly assignments, participation in group discussions, a final paper disclosing how this course impacted the baseline information they provided at the first class, and, for cohort students, their contributions to a group project. In addition, students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Biblical Justice Formation Program meet regularly to originate an initiative that may lead to the critique of an identified structural or systemic source of an injustice experienced in communities across our nation and other countries. This worshipful, educational, or advocational initiative may evolve into a group project for the cohort.

REQUIRED READING:

Barram, Michael, Missional Economics: Biblical Justice and Christian Formation (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI., 2018) ISBN 978-0-8028-7507-5

July 13, 2023, by SLF. This ECD is subject to change.

Brueggemann, Walter, Tenacious Solidarity: Biblical Provocations on Race, Religion, Climate, and the Economy (Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN. 2018) 978-1-5064-4770-4

Harink, Douglas, Resurrecting Justice: Reading Romans for the Life of the World (IVP, Downers Grove, Ill., 2020) ISBN 978-0-8308-5276-5

Jennings, Willie James, The Christian Imagination: Theology and The Origins of Race (Yale University Press, New Haven & London, 2010) ISBN 978-0-300-17136-5

McGhee, Heather, The Sum Of us: what Racism Costs Everyone and how We can prosper together (One World, New York, 2021) ISBN 978-0-525-50956-1

The Poverty and Justice Bible, (American Bible Society) ISBN 978-158516-973-3

Parker, Angela N., If God Still Breathes, Why Can't I? (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2021) ISBN 978-0-8028-7926-4

*Westfall, Cynthia. L., and Dyer, Bryan, R., EDS, The Bible, and Social Justice: Old Testament and New Testament Foundations for the Church's Urgent Call (Pickwick Publications, Eugene, Or., 2015) ISBN 13:978-1-4982-3807-6 (Paperback $29.00; Kindle $ 9.99)

Supplemental Text (On Reserve*):

Gilbert, Kenyatta R. Exodus Preaching: Crafting Sermons about Justice and Hope (Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN., 2018) ISBN – 13:978-1-5018-3257-4

Hays, J. Daniel, From every People and Nation: A biblical theology of race (IVP, Downers Grove, Ill., 2003)

*Houston, Walter J., Justice – The Biblical Challenge (UK: Equinox Publishing Ltd., London, SW3 55R, 2010) ISBN 9781-84553-888-0 (Paperback $42.00; Kindle $31.78)

Marshall, Chris; The Little Book of Biblical Justice (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2005) ISBN 978-1-56148505-5 (Paperback $5.99; Kindle $5.99)

Nicholas, Jessica, God Loves Justice: A User-Friendly Guide to Biblical Justice & Righteousness (S&E Educational Press, LA, Cal., 2017) ISBN 978-0-9989031-0-1

On Social Justice: St Basil The Great (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, New York, 2009) ISBN 978-0-88141-053-2

St. Ambrose: On the Duties of the Clergy (Benediction Classics, Oxford., 2020) ISBN 978-1- 84902-616-1

Tisby, Jemar, The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Churches Complicity in Racism (Zondervan Press, Grand Rapids, MI., 2018) ISBN 978-0-310-5927-8

PREREQUISITES:

None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

This course meets a core curriculum requirement for the Graduate Certificate in Biblical Justice Formation and can be an elective for the Masters of Christian Leadership (MCL) and the Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership.