Economic Justice

Bryan Bissell shares these thoughts and resources: Most people know intuitively that large income gaps are very harmful to everyone. This is explicitly what the Bible’s Jubilee economic principles were designed to prevent. Now we have conclusive evidence that proves it. If you haven’t watched any of my other links, watch this one. http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_wilkinson.html http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/ [...]

God’s Kingdom and Righteousness

“Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness/justice* (Matt. 6:33).” What does this mean to you? What does it look like? How does one do this? *NOTE: for more on translating justice/righteousness, see: http://concordances.org/greek/1343.htm http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/kjv/tsedeq.html http://www.basden.demon.co.uk/xn/tsedeq.html http://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/TBv2i5_Fosterjustice.pdf (PDF) Now back to the main question: How do we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness/justice?

Verse #9 — Is. 56:1

Isaiah 56:1 New International Version (NIV) This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.” This is an important verse for Seventh-day Adventist because it connects, in my opinion, the salvation experienced at Jesus’ second coming with our responsibility to pursue justice [...]

Verse #8 — Amos 5:21-24

Amos 5:21-24 (New King James Version) I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not [...]

Adventist Potpourri

I haven’t done a round-up for a while. Here are a few readings for your weekend: Who is Not my Neighbor (Don Watson, Adv Today) WWU Peacemaking Weekend (Doug Morgan) Barry Bussey’s Critical Question (Doug Morgan, Spectrum) Commentary: The issue of conscientious objection has become more complex (Barry Bussey, ANN) Life as an Army Chaplain [...]

Verse #7 — Prov. 24:17

David Hamstra posted this verse on Facebook today, and I thought it would be fitting for our 7th installment. Proverbs 24:17 (New International Version, ©2011) Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice… When working for peace and justice, we encounter resistance from any number of directions. But Jesus [...]

Verse #6 — Matt. 5:9 [UPDATED]

Matthew 5:9 (New International Version, ©2011) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Since Walla Walla University is hosting their first annual Peacemaking Weekend, I thought this verse would be appropriate for today. UPDATE: I have also just learned that this week is Peace Week at Union College. Click here [...]

Verse #5 — Prov. 31:8

Proverbs 31:8 (New International Version, ©2011) Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. This verse reminds me of a line from Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham City Jail: We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and [...]

Verse #4 — Ez. 16:49-50

Ezekiel 16:49-50 (New International Version, ©2011) 49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Am I [...]

Verse #3 — Luke 7:20-23

Luke 7:20-23 (New International Version, ©2011) 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave [...]