Economic Justice in the New Testament

3 credits · Divinity School

This course examines the complex ways in which the New Testament is and has been used both for economic exploitation and to help inspire communities to economic justice. Students will learn about the historical context of biblical texts related to economic themes related to land, poverty, and charity. We will also consider a variety of contemporary economic justice issues, including debt jubilees, the bail abolition movement, neo-monastic movements, credit unions, and divestment movements as sites where contemporary Christian communities organize to reduce economic exploitation and economic inequality and to bring about more just economic systems. How can ethical and contextual biblical interpretation inform action for economic justice? [3]