Scripture and Social Justice

what is the Shema?

"Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with ass your might

How did the Jubilee try to relieve the plight of the poor through the following provisions?

1) liberation of slaves, 2) cancellation of debt c) restoration of property to the original owner

Jesus and Foreigners

1) we must help our neighbor in need 2) Everyone is our neighbor, including people of diff. races and religions 3) We show our love for God by loving and helping our neighbor

how can our world be described?

A World Full of Light and Shadow.

What does Leviticus say about what a farmer should harvest?

A farmer can't harvest everything, he must leave some for the poor, widowed, orphaned and alien

what is the historical context in Social Justice in the New Testament?

At Jesus time, the Palestine social structure was a pyramid, The Romans who controlled the country, the religious authorities (Sadducees & Pharisees), as well as wealthy, Jewish males were at the top. Poor women and sinners/sick were at the bottom. Jesus turned the order around and since it threatened the existing order, it led to his cruxifiction

Social Justice in the Hebrew Scriptures: What is the second most often mentioned theme of the scriptures?

Economic justice

Why is There Suffering?

God made humans in His image, which means that we have human dignity but God is Love and when people fail to love as God does, the result is disorder, destruction and suffering

what is the reason Christians can find hope amid suffering?

Grace

Jesus and Woman: What does Jesus highlight in these two stories? how?

He highlights the equal dignity of women. He allows Mary to be a disciple and in the resurrection story, Mary Magdalene is the first person to see him after he rises, and is charged with giving the good news to everyone

The Need for Action The Final Judgment: and how does Jesus express solidarity or unity with the poor, sick, needy

In the Final Judgment, Jesus tells us that those who helped the sick, hungry, needy will be saved while those who ignored them will not.He identifies himself with those who suffer by saying that what a person does to the least of his brothers they do to him.

Example of compassionate Christian

Jean Donovan in el salvador

The prophets spoke of a future era when the Messiah (a _________ ___ ________) would come (Messianic era) and establish peace and justice. Weapons of war would be beaten into plowshares, _________ would end, ________- would reign, and the peace would be so profound that even the animals would live in harmony

Prince of Peace, oppression, justice

What is the foundation of for social structure?

The Exodus

The Law (Torah): Social Justice was an important part of the ________. Concern for the poor and downtrodden was not just to be handled by _____ ___ _________ but was to be the responsibility of the ________ __________. It was written in the _____

Torah, acts of charity, entire society, Law

Injustice:

When obstacles are placed in the way of these relationships

how is the kingdom of God defined?

as the way things are when God's will rules over people's hearts and lives

How are Christians called to follow Jesus?

by responding to suffering with compassion

Christianity holds that God does not ________ __________, does _____ ______ suffering, and acts to _____ people from suffering.

cause suffering, not want, save

The Birth of Jesus: what is this a commentary on?

commentary on where god's sympathy lies and a sign of things to come

Jesus Christ both initiates and fulfills the Kingdom of God, which is already present where there are ______________ ___________ ____ _______.

communities centered in love

Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God here on ________. The Kingdom of God is present here when God's will is done, but will come to fulfillment in the future.

earth

social justice: these relationships include ___________ (rich/poor, employer-employee) and _____ (racial, ethnic, gender) ones

economic, social

God wasn't satisfied with ___________ expressions done through __________. He wanted people to work for _______________

empty, ritual, justice

Why do some respond to suffering by doing something?

enlightened self-interest and compassion

The Kingdom that Jesus preached reverses the existing social structure, by emphasizing __________. Since the Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed was seen as a _______ to the existing social order, it led to his crucifixion.

equality, threat

Jesus' resurrection shows that unselfish love, rather than selfishness, leads to ____________, joy and _____.

goodness, life

Amos condemns the rich for ________, cheating their __________, and __________ their workers

greed, customers, underpaying

The Healing of the Leper: Jesus not only heals the outcast but... What does this demonstrate?

he touches him, affirming his dignity. Jesus demonstrates God's compassion for the outcast and acts to change his situation

Why do some respond to suffering by doing nothing?

hopelessness (what difference can 1 make) and Individualism (doesn't effect me personally)

One who feels compassion for another is

is one who is able to feel their suffering like a mother can feel her child.

Following Jesus means living a life of __________.

justice

The Incarnation was the result of God's choice to be with humans to ?

lead us out of suffering and death

The Law (Torah): God reminded the Israelites that just as he ____________ them from __________, so they were to be concerned for the ________ ____ ___________ in their own midst

liberated, slavery, poor and oppressed

What did the Torah combine?

love of God with love of neighbor

Jesus echoed the prophets by claiming that love of God is best shown through________ __ _____________

love of neighbor

God's will is for ______,__________, ________, ________________

love, justice, peace and forgiveness

social justice: the establishment of ________ and ____ relationships among ___________ beings, ___, and ________ so that life can ______ as _______ intended

loving, fair, among, human, God, creation, flourish, God

The Exodus reveals that God cares about the __________ and he acts on their behalf. He calls people (like ________) to work for ____________ (God _____, God _______, and God ______)

oppressed, Moses, justice, cares, acts, calls

Mary's Canticle: Mary ____________ God for making her the Mother of God. God didn't choose a queen, but a ________ woman. She also praised God for lifting up the lowly and bringing down the mighty. This is a sign that?

praises, pleasant, the Jesus will turn the social pyramid upside down.

what did the prophets proclaim? denounce?

proclaimed that God was a defender of the least powerful in society. denounced the rich and powerful for causing injustice.

enlightened self-interest

recognizes that everyone needs each other to live a satisfying life

Jesus and economic justice: Parable of the rich man and lazarus

story or a rich man who didn't help Lazarus (poor man). B/c of his inaction, he suffers in the afterlife. Jesus also affirms the dignity of the poor man by giving him a name, whereas the rich man is nameless

What was the central theme of Jesus' teaching and his actions?

the Kingdom of God

Justice is?

the establishment of loving relationships among human beings, God, and creation so life can flourish like God intends

The Public Ministry: As he begins his public ministry, how does Jesus see his purpose?

to inaugurate the Kingdom of God on earth

what did the prophet Isaiah state?

true fasting involved giving your bread to hungry, sheltering the homeless, and freeing the oppressed

what did the prophets say about working for justice? what was their message's theme and what did they promise?

working for justice was more important than empty ritual. The message was one of hope for a better future and they promised that there would be a new era in which the Messiah would establish peace and justice