Session 11: Historical Reading and Justice Commitments
Preparation Resources
1) Tim Keller sermon: Doing Justice and Mercy
Discussion Topics
1) After referencing Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah 58:61 when beginning his
ministry, McCaulley states that God is the defender of those who have been
pressed down and that God’s standard of justice is not just applied to his
covenant people. Do you find his argument persuasive?
2) McCaulley suggests we sometimes spiritualize elements of the Bible that
are meant to be realistic and that the church has a history of scripture
reading that emphasizes support for the status quo, but downplays any
critique, judgment or call for societal change. He observes you have to be
taught to miss that call. What are your thoughts about this?
3) McCaulley notes that people often recoil from any suggestion that their
attitude/action might be racist. They perceive it as a judgment that they are
a bad person and that may prevent them from seeing how the structures of
their society have shaped their experience and attitudes. They need to be
open to recognize that, examine it and change. Do you find this to be true?
4) A large portion of the discussion deals with the issues surrounding
forgiveness and reconciliation. Here are some of the statements made.
What are your thoughts on them?
1) Tim Keller sermon: Doing Justice and Mercy
Discussion Topics
1) After referencing Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah 58:61 when beginning his
ministry, McCaulley states that God is the defender of those who have been
pressed down and that God’s standard of justice is not just applied to his
covenant people. Do you find his argument persuasive?
2) McCaulley suggests we sometimes spiritualize elements of the Bible that
are meant to be realistic and that the church has a history of scripture
reading that emphasizes support for the status quo, but downplays any
critique, judgment or call for societal change. He observes you have to be
taught to miss that call. What are your thoughts about this?
3) McCaulley notes that people often recoil from any suggestion that their
attitude/action might be racist. They perceive it as a judgment that they are
a bad person and that may prevent them from seeing how the structures of
their society have shaped their experience and attitudes. They need to be
open to recognize that, examine it and change. Do you find this to be true?
4) A large portion of the discussion deals with the issues surrounding
forgiveness and reconciliation. Here are some of the statements made.
What are your thoughts on them?
- Forgiveness is never a denial of what has happened.
- There needs to be an honest account, repentance and forgiveness before moving on to
- reconciliation.
- The blood of Jesus is what keeps this from being vengeance.
- Anti-racism is an element of discipleship.