Morality, Law and Justice in the Bible

Podcast-style audio course -
Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
Professor, Loyola Marymount University
(2 customer reviews)
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Includes Free Study Guide
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00

Understand what the Bible says about Morality, Law and Justice.

Begin by exploring modern ideas of justice and morality and how these concepts are similar and different from biblical notions.

Examine the meaning of the classic term for justice, “Mishpat”, and see how law, morality, and justice are discussed in different types of Biblical literature, from the early Hebrew writings and traditions through to the New Testament era -over 1,000 years of Biblical history. Consider Mosaic Law, as expressed in the Torah (the “Books of Moses”), and then examine how the “legal system” of Ancient Israel actually functioned.

Discover why the Kings and Aristocracy of ancient Israel incurred the anger of these Prophets, who were especially furious about the mistreatment of the “widow, the orphan, and the foreigner” in Israelite society. What do these three categories of society refer to? See how ideas about Justice go through interesting changes as the Hebrew people face their later Biblical existence as a minority under massive World Empires (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greek Empires, and finally the Roman Empire in the New Testament era).

Read More

Understand what the Bible says about Morality, Law and Justice.

Begin by exploring modern ideas of justice and morality and how these concepts are similar and different from biblical notions.

Examine the meaning of the classic term for justice, “Mishpat”, and see how law, morality, and justice are discussed in different types of Biblical literature, from the early Hebrew writings and traditions through to the New Testament era -over 1,000 years of Biblical history. Consider Mosaic Law, as expressed in the Torah (the “Books of Moses”), and then examine how the “legal system” of Ancient Israel actually functioned.

Discover why the Kings and Aristocracy of ancient Israel incurred the anger of these Prophets, who were especially furious about the mistreatment of the “widow, the orphan, and the foreigner” in Israelite society. What do these three categories of society refer to? See how ideas about Justice go through interesting changes as the Hebrew people face their later Biblical existence as a minority under massive World Empires (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greek Empires, and finally the Roman Empire in the New Testament era).

Finally, consider issues surrounding the “problems” of the teachings of Jesus and Paul in relation to Roman rule and the Christian community especially when everything changes in the 4th Century AD, and Christianity becomes itself a “religion of Empire”.

While the Bible gives no simple “definition” of justice, nor dictates a specific societal system, it certainly provides many key ideas about morality, law and justice that are provocative, often controversial, and ultimately, deeply hopeful about what the Bible suggests are God’s intentions for human society and the common good.

Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:

1) You can check your order confirmation email. It will include a link that enables you to download your guide.
2) The back of your program package also contains a copy of this link. You can access your guide by simply entering this URL into your browser.
3) Your case of CDs or DVDs will contain a copy of your electronic guide on CD. Simply insert this disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive to access your guide.

$19.99

Frequently Bought Together

  • The Messianic Prophecies of Jesus

    The Jesus Prophecies: How to Understand the Old Testament Messianic Passages

    $15.99
    Select options
  • The Pentateuch: How to Read and Understand the Bible’s First Five Books & Job

    The Pentateuch: How to Read and Understand the Bible’s First Five Books & Job

    $21.99
    Select options
  • The Life of Moses: A Biblical Portrait-0

    The Life of Moses: A Biblical Portrait

    $17.99
    Select options
  • An Introduction to Hebrew Poetry-0

    An Introduction to Hebrew Poetry

    $17.99
    Select options

Daniel L. Smith-Christopher is a professor of Old Testament studies at Loyola Marymount University, where he has taught for 18 years. He earned his doctorate in Old Testament studies at Oxford University in England, and has published 13 books and dozens of articles.

Professor Smith-Christopher was appointed by Cardinal Roger Mohoney as a permanent consultant to the Theological Commission of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He is one of the most popular presenters each year at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Religious Educational Congress. Named in 2006 “Undergraduate Theology Teacher of the Year” by Augsburg/Fortress Press, and in 2007, “Professor of the Year” by the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Christopher is a celebrated teacher and internationally respected Bible expert.

Dr. Christopher has published 13 books and dozens of scholarly articles and reviews in Biblical studies. His most recent books include an academic work called A Biblical Theology of Exile . He appears regularly on television in documentaries broadcast by A&E, Discovery, The History Channel, The National Geographic Network, and PBS.

  • Introduction
  • Words About Justice In the Bible
  • Reading Law in Scripture
  • The Mosaic Law: The Ten Commandments
  • Legal Practice in Ancient Israel
  • Development of Law in Ancient Israel
  • The Rise of Kingship in Ancient Israel
  • The Profit of Reading Prophets
  • Justice in the Shadow of Empire: Reading the Prophets of the 6th Century
  • Justice Among the Occupied
  • Apocalyptic Literature and Judgment: Angry Justice?
  • The Context for the Rise of Christianity: Faith Under the Shadow of Rome
  • Reading Jesus and Thinking Justice
  • Jesus as the New Moses: The Gospel of Matthew
  • Paul, Justice, and Some Concluding Thoughts

2 reviews for Morality, Law and Justice in the Bible

  1. Dan C

    Wonderful

    I loved this course. I think he the best professor of them all. The content is great as well. Highly recommend.

  2. Eve Kavanagh

    Excellent

    One of the best courses I have heard on Biblical Social Justice.

Add a review

Stay in the know.

Enter your email address for a free coupon, and to find out about future specials and promotions. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Now You Know Media is now Learn25

In an effort to provide our customers the best possible experience, we have created a new website for you at Learn25.com to browse our selection of over 400 audio and video courses by top professors.