Social Justice?

[Paprika]

Those Christians who decry the Jubilee as economic suicide: How do you account for the fact that it nonetheless is in the Bible?

*crickets*

[pancreasman]

Perhaps God didn't think it through. Luckily, folks here could point out the idea's flaws.

[Mountain Man]

Those Christians who decry the Jubilee as economic suicide: How do you account for the fact that it nonetheless is in the Bible?

And who here has decried it as "economic suicide"? Your post has a strong hint of burnt straw.

[Mountain Man]

Then you're not paying the least attention because Jubilee explicitly is about "forcibly taking from those who have earned, without compensation, and indiscriminately giving to those who have not earned."

Not at all. A person who hired a slave for a period of time, or received back land that had been worked, or loaned money to another could expect a return on his investment. Yes, Old Testament law would periodically wipe out debts, but the borrower was still expected to pay back as much as he could until the next "reset". In fact, the Bible explicitly condemns not paying back your debts. Proverbs 37:21, "The wicked borrows but does not pay back."

[KingsGambit]

And who here has decried it as "economic suicide"? Your post has a strong hint of burnt straw.

A number of users have. I stand by everything I've said; I'm tired of the tendency around here to falsely label any post someone doesn't like as a strawman. There have been extensive posts about the negative economic effects that would result from debt forgiveness programs. Nobody outright used the word "suicide" but the general point/sentiment was equivalent.

[Paprika]

Not at all. A person who hired a slave for a period of time, or received back land that had been worked, or loaned money to another could expect a return on his investment. Yes, Old Testament law would periodically wipe out debts, but the borrower was still expected to pay back as much as he could until the next "reset".

Where in Scripture do you get this? This is not a cancellation of debt, but merely an extension of the time allotted for repayment.

In fact, the Bible explicitly condemns not paying back your debts. Proverbs 37:21, "The wicked borrows but does not pay back."

But if the debts are cancelled, they do not exist and hence need not be paid back; the loan become a gift.

Proverbs 37:21, "The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives."

[JonathanL]

Eh, just a minor quibble, but it's actually Psalms 37:21, not Proverbs 37:21 (which does not even exist). Just thought I'd let you guys know.

[KingsGambit]

Last Sunday, Cath and I visited a Sunday school class where we were the youngest people in the class by several decades. They were going through the denomination quarterlies, and there was a lesson specifically on social justice. The scripture was Micah 3, and we had a good discussion on good leadership and justice that did not go into controversial political things. I don't think the discussion would have upset anybody here, is what I'm saying.

The quarterly argued that Micah 3:10 is evidence that the kingdom, which was economically prosperous at the time, was prospering at the expense of the poor. That does look like social justice to me... as does the whole chapter, really. This does not require the liberal extremes that are frequently pointed out on this forum.

[Joel]

Last Sunday, Cath and I visited a Sunday school class where we were the youngest people in the class by several decades. They were going through the denomination quarterlies, and there was a lesson specifically on social justice. The scripture was Micah 3, and we had a good discussion on good leadership and justice that did not go into controversial political things. I don't think the discussion would have upset anybody here, is what I'm saying.

The quarterly argued that Micah 3:10 is evidence that the kingdom, which was economically prosperous at the time, was prospering at the expense of the poor. That does look like social justice to me... as does the whole chapter, really. This does not require the liberal extremes that are frequently pointed out on this forum.

It says nothing about rich or poor. But it does refer to "rulers" vs the ruled. Seems like it's talking about regular justice. The specific examples given are corrupt leaders accepting bribes. Judges serving special interests and their own interests instead of doing justice.

As for the metaphors (e.g. eating the peoples' flesh, and building Zion with bloodshed), I don't know if that is meant to include more than the listed examples. Oppressive taxation?