Respec For Justice and
Truth
The 7th, 8th and 10th Commandments
Notes taken from text and leader of
IJM Gary Haugen
Introduction
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We have been talking a lot about
commandments of 6 and 9 which challenge our
private morality, but it is equally important that
we consider our public responsibility to the poor
both around us and around the world.
To not do so would be to be unbalanced in our
Christianity and to misrepresent Christ who
cares just as much about the unjust treatment
of people as he does for our private lives (ex.
sexual morality)
What is Justice?
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Hard to define, easier to define injustice
Injustice is the abuse of power to take
away from others those things that God
intended for them namely, their life,
liberty, dignity & fruit of their love and
labour.
Examples of Major Global
Injustices in Our World Today
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Sex trafficking
Bonded Slavery—over 27 million slaves
today!
Sexual violence—mostly against women
and children
Illegal detention
Police abuse
Coercive land siezures
God’s Thoughts on Injustice
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God HATES injustice and wants it to stop!!
Because He loves the victims of the abuse
Is. 61:8 says “I the Lord love justice”
The God of Justice: 3 points
1.
God of Compassion
1.
2.
God of wrath or moral clarity
1.
3.
God understands injustice because this is what He
experienced in Christ. Jesus wasn’t starved or
diseased but tortured and killed
God is holy and burns with anger against injustice.
God of Rescue
1.
2.
God desires to rescue people suffering from
injustice
This is the exciting part: His plan of rescue is you
and me!
Our Responsibility
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While God is displeased with injustice, He
is APPALLED that no one does anything
about it.
Is. 59: 15, 16 says “The LORD looked and
was… appalled that there was no one to
intervene”
“Evil reigns when good men do nothing”
What must we do? Practice just living
within our society (social justice)
What is Social Justice?
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Social Justice applies the gospel message
of Jesus Christ to the structures, systems,
and laws of society…
It holds that each person has right to a
fair voice in the economic, political, and
social institutions of society
How does Social Justice related to
the 7th and 9th commandments?
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The 7th commandment reads “You shall not
steal”
The 10th reads “You shall not envy possessions”
We can become so selfish that we take, take,
take, leaving the poor with nothing
Consider this quote:
“Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is
to steal from them and deprive them of life. The
goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.”
Four key themes of social justice:
Profit cannot be the only norm and sole goal of
economic activity
The economy exists to serve people; people do not
exist to serve the economy—work is a good thing but
is only a means to an end not an end in itself
Richer nations must work hard for intentional sharing
of our material wealth with other poorer nations
(solidarity)
We must imitate Jesus by having a special love for the
poor.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
First around us—less popular student, etc.
Then out of our circles—works of mercy in Regina, Africa
Sharing Time
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Pictures Refugees in Kampala Uganda
where I lived…
Letter I wrote to Gary Haugen after course
I took in 2004
Website on IJM (international Justice
Mission)
The Boys of Baraka Film
Apply 3 points on the God of Justice to
this film
The Boys of Baraka
Violations Against the 7th
Commandment: Don’t steal
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Keeping objects lent to us
Paying unjust wages
Shoddy work
Expense account padding
Waste, environmental degradation
Willfully damaging public and private property
“Eating without giving thanks is stealing”
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African saying
Discuss Case studies on p. 253 & 259
The Tenth Commandment:
You shall not covet your Neigbour’s
Goods
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7th commandment focuses on the external
acts related to theft the 10th
commandment looks at the heart which is
the root of theft, robbery, stealing, etc.
Much like the sex commandments
Jesus’ comments on possessions on p. 261
Violations against the 8th
Commandment: Don’t lie
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False witness and perjury
Failing to respect reputation of others.
Rash judgment
Detraction
Encouraging others to do evil. Flattery
Boasting and bragging
Irony
Lying—4 factors
Lying is a violation against the
truth. It’s seriousness depends on
four factors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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The nature of the truth that is distorted
The circumstances
The intentions of the one who lies
The harm suffered by the victims of the
lie
Ex. Hiding Jews during WW II
Being discreet means speaking the truth
but not telling everything we know
Quote from John Vianney
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“If something unloving is said in your
presence, either speak in favour of the
absent, or withdraw, or, if possible, stop
the conversation.”
Part of being the Notre Dame Woman/Man
is telling the truth
Exercise on pg. 265
Movie clip from “The Legend of Beggar
Vance” (Remember?)
Song clip Bonus assignment
ex. One by Creed
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Choose one song that relates to themes of social
justice or injustice.
Print off the lyrics along with the artist and the
name of the song.
Answer the following questions:
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What theme of injustice does the song address?
What does the artist say about it?
Does the artist give a solution? If so tell me what it is
or if not suggest a possible answer to the named
injustice.
Due next Wed…