SJS 4200 The Theology and Readings in Environmental Justice
Faculty directed oversight of classic and/or contemporary readings in literature and theology as these works reflect concerns of environmental justice and creation care. An exploration of social justice as it is depicted in the narrative of the Bible, including creation, torah, the prophetic proclamations, Christ's declaration of the Kingdom of God, and the practices of the first-century church. Assuming that the church's local context is the primary location of life and witness, this course examines the processes of forming a witnessing people shaped by an outward journey of gospel engagement with their unique context. The course will emphasize skill development in exegesis of the community and the church's interaction with that community. An examination of the economic forces that shape poverty and public policy responses. Concepts of equity, efficiency, absolute vs. relative poverty and economic justice will be explored. Alternative approaches to policies in areas such as taxation, income redistribution, poverty, and equal opportunity will be analyzed from the perspective of policymakers and policy advocates. An examination and analysis of theological thought and practice of social justice and social justice movements throughout the history of the Christian church, including the church fathers, Catholic social thought, John Wesley, the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, and contemporary theologies of justice. The impact of such thought upon contemporary efforts to pursue justice at home and abroad will also be explored.