LET JUSTICE FLOW LIKE WATER: TOWARD A THEOLOGY OF BIBLICAL JUSTICE, edited by Joshua M. Greever, D. A. Horton, and Justin McLendon

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance

by Steve West

 

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Justice: Toward a Definition and Historical Framework (Cory D. Higdon)
2 Justice in Isaiah (Peter J. Gentry)
3 Justice in Amos (Paul R. Raabe)
4 Justice in Luke-Acts (Brian J. Tabb)
5 Justice in James (Christopher W. Morgan)
6 Justice in the New Covenant (Joshua M. Greever)
7 Justice and the Character of God (Justin McLendon)
8 Justice and Redemption (Kenneth J. Reid)
9 Justice and the Mission of the Church (John Wind)
10 The Pastoral Team and Mercy Ministries as Tangible Expressions of Justice (D.A. Horton)
Conclusion

 

Summary

 

Chapter 1: Justice: Toward a Definition and Historical Framework

The term “social justice” is fraught with a variety of connotations that often create confusion and division. Nevertheless, Scripture is clear that society should be organized in a just way, and justice is something that needs to be pursued. One of the challenges for today is defining what “social justice” actually is. There are ways of defining it that are unbiblical, so Christians must work for a biblical definition, understanding, and application. Historically, Protestants have been highly concerned with bringing about justice in society. In the 1800’s the social gospel movement arose as a stream of liberal Protestant thought. It called for systematic and structural change in social institutions, de-emphasizing individual conversion. Society, rather than individuals, was the focus for transformation. Both the prophets and Christ were seen as calling people to change their characters and bring about social reform. Rather than looking for bliss in heaven after death, the focus was on establishing the kingdom of God on earth. Doctrines that did not address the social needs of the masses were largely set aside. Redemption was more aimed at society than individuals. Social justice emerged as a concept to alter public structures, removing corruption and oppression. A new social order was envisioned as the goal of redemption. Conservatism was rejected in both theology and politics. Minimizing doctrine allowed for elasticity in incorporating ideologies.

In the mid-1900’s, evangelicals embraced the term social justice but rejected the liberal theological and political framework of the social gospel. Carl Henry called evangelicals to pursue social justice in a biblical way; he critiqued the social gospel movement as well as fundamentalists who withdrew from society. For Henry, social justice could only exist if it was crafted according to the authority of Scripture. It also required conversion and the redemption of individuals so that hearts were changed. Although believers were to work for social change, they were to remember that their citizenship was in heaven. Social transformation came through the power of the Spirit, preaching the gospel, and faithful biblical exposition. Rather than looking to the government to save us, believers were supposed to live righteously and act justly. . . .

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