Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Justice”
Born in Nebraska in 1933, Walter Brueggemann is an Old Testament theologian, St Louis Cardinals fan and for some, one of the most influential Old Testament scholars of the last 40 years or so. He uses a practice called rhetorical criticism (basically looking at the meaning behind words, phrases, images, gestures, performances, texts, films etc that people use to communicate) …
Here then is my first post in the series ‘Things they didn’t teach me at school!’ One of the points raised in Akala’s book Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire – The Sunday Times Bestseller and one that I have seen raised elsewhere, is that much of the history we are taught in school is extremely one-sided. …
Having been away for a little while in August this year I have had chance to do some reading (this doesn’t happen often). After watching Stormzy’s Glastonbury set I decided to see if there was a book about him and bought myself a copy of Rise Up: The Merky Story So Far which was co-authored by Jude Yawson and includes …
Luke 18:1-8 This story links three concepts together, prayer, justice and faith. The widow persistently asks the unjust judge to grant justice and, in the end, he gives in and answer her cry. So we are being taught something here about persistence in our prayer and the things we should pray about. We are then asked a question. “Will the …
Matthew 23:23-24 Generally when we talk about tithing we are referring to giving 10% of our income to God. In Jesus’ day, Jews tithed on all their increase, be it income, harvest or livestock. Could you imagine bringing 10% of your potato crop for the collection? The Pharisees were right to tithe their herbs but they weren’t also giving of …
Amos 5:15 + 21-24 What do Justice and worship have in common? Does speaking out and helping the poor relate to the communion service? They may not be the same question that Amos was posing, but they come from the same heart. Feasts, gatherings, offerings, sacrifices and songs mean nothing if they do not connect with what is happening in …
Isaiah 42:1-9 After being liberated from Egypt, the people entered a covenant with God that made them His people. It was not long, though, until these people were going back on their promise and demanding a king. God gave them a ruler but warned them of the consequences and, sure enough, not far down the line, Israel and Judah were …
Psalm 106:1-3 We all try to encourage people to have good habits. To do those things that keep us healthy and benefit us or others. The opening of Psalm 106 tells us no different. The opening words praise God for who He is and His steadfast love. Then we are told that those who observe justice and who do righteousness …
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 As the people of God are given their instructions for how they should live, they are told to appoint Judges. These judges should be impartial; not accepting bribes or seeking to find favour with certain parties. Above all else, they should seek justice. This following of justice here is linked closely to the people inheriting the Promised Land. …
Leviticus 25:13-17 Jubilee brought about a ‘system reset’ for the people of God. Land was to be returned to its original owner, slaves were to be freed and property given back. This re-setting meant that someone couldn’t become poor for ever but had a chance to be released and start afresh at the Jubilee. It also meant that those who …
We live in a world where justice often seems to be lacking. We see people getting way with using others to get their own way. The poor get poorer and the rich get richer and no one seems to stand up for those who are really in need. The world has always been like this to some extent but it …