1. A Biblical Theology of Justice
March 16, 2017

2. Three Part Structure for a Theology of Justice
God's heart
God's actions
God's requirements

3. Three Part Structure for a Theology of Justice
God's heart
God's actions
God's requirements
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you – Psalm 89:14

4. Three Part Structure for a Theology of Justice
God's heart
God's actions
God's requirements
14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. 15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; - Isaiah 59:14-16b

5. Three Part Structure for a Theology of Justice
God's heart
God's actions
God's requirements
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. - Deuteronomy 10:17-18

6. Three Part Structure for a Theology of Justice
God's heart
God's actions
God's requirements
17 “You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow's garment in pledge, 18 but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore, I command you to do this. - Deuteronomy 10:17-18

7. Implications from God’s Prioritizing Justice
Justice > Worship
Scope of Concern
Covenant Fulfillment

8. Implications from God’s Prioritizing Justice
Justice > Worship
Scope of Concern
Covenant Fulfillment
21 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. - Amos 5:21-24

9. Implications from God’s Prioritizing Justice
Justice > Worship
Scope of Concern
Covenant Fulfillment
21 “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. - Amos 5:21-24

10. Implications from God’s Prioritizing Justice
Justice > Worship
Scope of Concern
Covenant Fulfillment
20 Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you. - Deuteronomy 16:20

11. Compelling Questions
What are the consequences of injustice among God’s people?
What is the scope for a Biblical theology of justice?
How do we re-orient and reformat our systematic theology to place justice at the center?