Learning Justice

The Bible is full of instruction on - and models of - the work of justice.

Scripture gives us details about what God’s justice looks like - from Jubilee and Sabbath to community safety nets. It shows how greed, bureaucracy, and power imbalances drive systemic injustice. It is full of mandates to investigate injustice, to speak up, defend, and heal. The Bible tells us stories of God-followers who fought for freedom: Boaz protects, Nathan confronts, Reuben negotiates, Isaiah warns, the midwives ignore, Mordecai investigates, Esther advocates, and God rescues.

As we learn to see the justice work in these familiar stories and take off what blinds us to God’s desire for justice, our imaginations are set free from the status quo and our faith grows for the work of justice that God calls us to.

There’s more on Insta!

I have written a LOT on this topic and I’m always putting more content into the little squares on Instagram to make it easy to access and digest. Follow along there for more justice training and tools. (You do not need an account to be able to browse all the posts.)

New resource for pastors and congregations! I wrote a 7-week sermon on biblical justice for churches to use to explore the threads of just community that run through all of Scripture. There is a curriculum that goes along with it that is nice and sho
Doing justice in systems starts with figuring out exactly what is happening. Mordecai has raised the alarm about the coming genocide and rather than turn away, Esther launches an investigation via Hathak to try to understand what the problem is. Th
When we suspect or notice an injustice in our churches, workplaces, families, and communities, what do we DO? It starts with getting all the facts and as much deep understanding as we can. Learning, researching, asking questions, writing it all down,
God has highlighted the story of Esther to me as a biblical text rich with lessons on understanding and combatting injustice. And I keep being fascinated by what I learn. For the systemic injustice series, we’ll be going through different ele
Buckle up! This is the best overview of systemic injustice I know how to write in 10 slides! This is the most complicated type of injustice because it is so multifaceted BUT once we understand the key markers, we will be able to flag the injustices a
This is a GREAT cultural-level intervention that we can do in our own churches, workplaces, homes, classrooms, schools. These visual cues make a huge difference in how comfortable and welcome different genders, cultures, and ages feel in a space. The
Joining up with those who are working to shift cultural narratives is exciting: groups of people who are doing the work to advocate for new stories, new beliefs, new perspectives - or bringing back old ones that are more just and true!
A great example of cultural advocacy is @thenapministry leader and founder Tricia Heresy. Over many years, she has researched and advocated for a shift in cultural narratives and beliefs about rest. She has researched what needs to be learned and unl
Culture can seem so immovable and unchangeable. But culture is shifting and changing all the time. WE can change cultural biases and beliefs - our own and some of those around us. New stories, fun connections, hard conversations, community discussio
Speaking up against damaging biases and harmful theologies and philosophies is so much easier when we prep for it. And it makes a big difference for all those who hear it and hear about it. Here’s to all those brave moments in our future!
Culture is not an unchangeable behemoth - it is changing everyday! And we can be part of both changing the narratives and protecting people from harmful narratives. #doingjustice #justice
There has been a wonderful explosion of children’s books that can introduce our kids (and us!) to new cultures, people, and perspectives. Nothing better than stopping kiddos’ biases before they start! What are some of your favorites?