Overview

Understand what the Bible says about Morality, Law, and Justice. Begin by exploring modern ideas of justice and morality and how these concepts are similar and different from biblical notions. Examine the meaning of the classic term for justice, Mishpat, and see how law, morality, and justice are discussed in different types of Biblical literature, from the early Hebrew writings and traditions through to the New Testament era - over 1,000 years of Biblical history. Consider Mosaic Law, as expressed in the Torah (the Books of Moses), and then examine how the legal system of Ancient Israel actually functioned. Discover why the Kings and Aristocracy of ancient Israel incurred the anger of these Prophets, who were especially furious about the mistreatment of the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner in Israelite society. What do these three categories of society refer to? See how ideas about Justice go through interesting changes as the Hebrew people face their later Biblical existence as a minority under massive World Empires (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greek Empires, and finally the Roman Empire in the New Testament era). Finally, consider issues surrounding the problems of the teachings of Jesus and Paul in relation to Roman rule and the Christian community especially when everything changes in the 4th Century AD, and Christianity becomes itself a religion of Empire. While the Bible gives no simple definition of justice, nor dictates a specific societal system, it certainly provides many key ideas about morality, law and justice that are provocative, often controversial, and ultimately, deeply hopeful about what the Bible suggests are God's intentions for human society and the common good.

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9781666548525

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Daniel L. Smith-Christopher is a celebrated teacher, internationally respected Bible expert, and professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He earned his doctorate in Old Testament studies at the University of Oxford and has published 13 books and dozens of articles. He was named the 2006 Undergraduate Theology Teacher of the Year by Augsburg/Fortress Press and the 2007 Professor of the Year by the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University. Daniel L. Smith-Christopher is a celebrated teacher, internationally respected Bible expert, and professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University. He earned his doctorate in Old Testament studies at the University of Oxford and has published 13 books and dozens of articles. He was named the 2006 Undergraduate Theology Teacher of the Year by Augsburg/Fortress Press and the 2007 Professor of the Year by the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University.

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