Biblical Justice
This week we explored justice from a biblical perspective. We stared by looking at various scriptures that talk about who God’s people should care for:
Leviticus 19:33-34
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Exodus 23:9
9 “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
We talked about how justice is rooted in the truth that all humans are made in God’s image:
Genesis 1:26-27
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
And how we can be tempted to take justice into our own hands, especially when we feel wronged, oppressed, and persecuted.
James 1:19-27
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
We watched this BibleProject video which gives an excellent summary of Biblical justice.
We then looked at facets of Biblical Justice from Tim Keller and compared Biblical justice to some other secular justice theories:
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Community/ Generosity: God has a claim on my wealth (and therefore others), so I must give voluntarily.
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Equality: Everyone must be treated equally and with dignity.
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Corporate Responsibility: I am sometimes responsible for and involved in other people’s sins.
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Individual Responsibility: I am finally responsible for all my sins, but not for all my outcomes.
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Advocacy: We must have special concern for the poor and the marginalized.
You can read Keller’s full article here: LINK
Upcoming Events
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Sunday, March 12 - Between Services - Stuff Eggs
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Sunday, March 26 - 2 PM - Outreach Campaign Connect Event (at the Michaud house)
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Wednesday, March 29 - 6:30 PM - “Egg the Neighborhood” - During D6 we will deliver eggs to the neighborhood with invitations to Easter week events.
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Saturday, April 29 - 8 AM - Bed Build for Sleep at Heavenly Peace
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Sunday, April 30 - 8 AM - Pancake Breakfast