Christian Tradition and the Practice of Justice (DT9500T)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit will explore the issue of justice as a central component of the mission of the Church. It will examine justice as seen in the Exodus story, the prophets of the Old Testament and in the Gospel narratives. The course will examine the life and ministry of Jesus and the reign of God’s justice, Justice and freedom, Justice and the rule of law and Justice and responsible action. The historical role of the Anglican tradition of social concern and scholarship in England and Australia will be explored alongside other Christian traditions. This will lead to an examination on how these understandings of justice can be applied to current social and ethical issues within the life of the Church.

Unit code: DT9500T

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Moral Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline a range of views of the scriptural foundations for justice
2.

Examine the nature of contemporary Australian society and the application of the church’s teaching on justice as core mission activity
3.

Identify a particular understanding of justice and apply it to a current social issue
4.

Explain the theological and Christological understandings of Jesus and the reign of god and their significance
5.

Articulate and defend the churches’ ministry of justice and the importance of working for justice in the church and broader Christian community
6.

Critically evaluate the ways particular churches have addressed social issues.

Unit sequence

At least one 15-point unit in missiology or previous welfare and justice experience

Pedagogy

Seminar class based, lecturers and class presentations.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brueggemann, W. The Practice of Prophetic Imagination: Preaching an Emancipating Word. Minneapolis: Fortress Press 2012. (recommended for purchase)
  • Crossan, J. Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography. San Francisco, 1994.
  • Cleary, R. Reclaiming Welfare for Mission Choices for Churches. Canberra: Barton Books 2012.
  • Morgan, P. & C. Lawton. Ethical Issues in Six Religious Traditions. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press 2010.
  • Sacks, J. To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility. London: Continuum 2005.
  • Selby, P. Grace and Mortgage. London: Darton, Longman and Todd 2005.
  • Stott, J. Issues Facing Christians Today. Michigan: Zondervan 2006. (recommended for purchase)
  • Sagovsky, N. Christian Tradition and The Practice of Justice. London: SPCK 2008.
  • Sandel, M.* Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?* London: Penguin Books, 2010. (recommended for purchase)
  • Sen, A. The Idea of Justice. London: Penguin Books, 2010.
  • Volf, M. A Public Faith. How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good. USA: Brazos Press, 2011.
  • Williams, R. Faith in the Public Square. London: Bloomsbury 2012.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

1,500 word tutorial report (submitted as essay)

 1500 30.0
Essay

3,500 word essay

 3500 50.0
Journal

: Journal, equivalent of 1,000 words

 1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2014

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-28 14:50:33 +1100