Abilene Christian University
College of Biblical Studies
Course Syllabus
BIBL 640.J1 The Bible, Justice and Law
INSTRUCTORS:
Kilnam Cha, Ph.D.
Office: Biblical Studies Building 223
Office Phone: (325) 674-3758
Cell: (503) 956-6041
E-mail: kxc11b@acu.edu
January 2015
M-F 8:00AM-5:00PM
GA: Frank Essien
foe13a@acu.edu
Andrew Little, J.D.
Office: College of Business Administration 141
Office Phone: 325-674-2768
Email: andrew.little@acu.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Given that this is a one-week short course, office hours will be arranged by
appointment.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Abilene Christian University is to educate its students for Christian service and
leadership throughout the world. The mission of the College of Biblical Studies is to provide
leadership, preparation, and resources for effective worldwide ministry in the cause of Christ.
The GST aims to equip men and women for effective missional leadership for ministry in all its
forms, and to provide strong academic foundations for theological inquiry. By equipping
students with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience, the GST aspires to produce
graduates with trained minds and transformed hearts.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a special topics course that examines the ways justice and law are treated in the biblical
text. It compares biblical understandings of justice and law with ancient near east practices and
other theories of justice that are operative in contemporary contexts. Students will be expected
to analyze and reflect not only on justice and law as found in the Bible, but to make application
to their particular ministry roles.
TEXTBOOKS
1. Brian McLaren, et al, The Justice Project, (Baker Books, 2009)
2. Karen Lebacqz, Six Theories of Justice, (Augsburg, 1986)
3. Robert Cochran & David VanDrunen, Eds., Law and the Bible: Justice, Mercy and Legal
Institutions, (IVP Academic, 2013)
4. Richard Horsley, Covenant Economics, (Westminster John Knox, 2009)
5. John Witte & Frank Alexander, Eds., Christianity and Law: An Introduction, (Cambridge
Univ., 2008)
6. Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good, (Westminster John Knox, 2010)
In addition to the foregoing full-length texts, there will be numerous essays, articles, and
additional book chapters that will be distributed for students to read.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
COMPETENCY
MEASUREMENT
Students will have a well-rounded appreciation for
philosophical, theological, and biblical materials related to
law and justice.
In-class discussions and two
critical book reviews
Students will demonstrate in-depth insight into the biblical
text on issues related to law and justice.
Research paper
Students will be able to apply biblical concepts of justice
in the ministry context in which they find themselves.
Justice ministry project
REQUIREMENTS

IN CLASS DISCUSSION / CLASS PARTICIPATION (100 points)
o Students will be expected to have read the first three books (noted under
“Textbooks”) prior to the beginning of class on January 5, 2015. The other three
books will be read during residential week.
o Students will be expected to lead discussions of the texts in class.
o All students are expected to attend every class session and be prepared to present
and discuss the readings required for that class session.

TWO CRITICAL BOOK REVIEWS EXAMS (100 points total, or 50 points each)
o Students will be expected to read two additional books related to law, justice,
and/or the Bible from a pre-approved list and write 3-5 page critical book reviews.
Each critical book review is worth 50 total points. The critical book reviews are
due January 30, 2015.
o Books that may be read and reviewed include the following:
 Harold Berman, Faith and Order: The Reconciliation of Law and
Religion




Craig Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches
Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination
________, The Land
Luigino Bruni, The Wound and the Blessing: Economics, Relationships
and Happiness
 Jacques Ellul, Money and Power
 Jacques Ellul, Anarchy and Christianity
 Richard Horsely, ed., In the Shadow of Empire: Reclaiming the Bible as a
History of Faithful Resistance
 Paul Krugman, The Conscience of a Liberal
 Alisdair MacIntyre, After Virtue
 Robert B. Reich, Supercapitalism
 Michael Sandel, Justice
 Jim Wallis, Rediscovering Values
 Nicholas Wolterstorff, Until Justice & Peace Embrace
 Christopher J.H. Wright, Old Testament Ethics for the People of God
o Other books may be chosen with prior approval of at least one of the instructors.

RESEARCH PAPER (100 total points)
o
Students should pick a research topic of interest and write a 15-20 page research
paper.
o
The paper should demonstrate significant textual analysis and be related to law or
justice in some manner.
o
The research paper is due February 27, 2015.

JUSTICE MINISTRY PROJECT (100 total points)
o In a manner similar to the examples given in The Justice Project, students will
propose a real-world project for their own ministry context that incorporates ideas
related to biblical notions of justice.
o The justice ministry project is due March 16, 2015.
Total Points Possible for the Course:

400
GRADING SCALE
o 90-100 = A (360-400)
o 80 - 89 = B (320-359)
o 70 - 79 = C (280-319)
o 60 - 69 = D (240-279)
o 0 - 59 = F (less than 240)
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA): If you have a diagnosed disability, please
notify Alpha Academic Services (674-2750) before or immediately after your first scheduled
class meeting. After your disability has been verified, your instructor will work with you and
Alpha Academic Services to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair
opportunity to perform in the course.
Proposed Course Schedule
Date
Jan. 5
Session
Morning
Afternoon
Jan. 6
Morning
Jan. 7
Afternoon
Morning
Afternoon
Jan. 8
Morning
Afternoon
Jan. 9
Morning
Afternoon
Discussion Topic
Introductions
Social locations/contexts
Expectations
Initial Reactions
The prophetic tradition
and identifying injustice
Philosophical and
theological frameworks
for analyzing justice
Law in the Bible
Law in the ANE
Law in Christian history
and theology
Disobedience
Economic justice in the
Bible
Contemporary contexts
Proposals for
contemporary life
Assigned Reading
Journey to the
Common Good
Six Theories of
Justice
Other Projects
Begin critically
assessing your
ministry context
Begin identifying the
ethical framework for
your own thinking
Law and the Bible
Christianity and Law
R. Cover and M.L.
King, Jr.
Covenant Economics
Justice Project
Assess the necessity of
disobedience
Misc. Notes