3. Justice and the Bible

​In this Just Peace Pilgrimage we will explore how this connects to our faith. As such, it will be helpful to think and reflect on the biblical story and how it connects to questions of peace and justice. What follows are Scriptures and questions to help you wrestle with how this may connect to your faith.

Unless otherwise noted, all scriptural quotations below are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

MLK and Amos?

Whenever the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. proclaimed, "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream,"^* he was recognizing a deep congruence between the Civil Rights Movement and biblical faith. 
—See
Amos 5:24

Not only were these the words of Amos, a Hebrew prophet who decried the exploitation of some for the greed of others—they recalled the foundational act of Israel’s identity, a people redeemed from slavery for a life of holiness before God in righteousness and justice.

—See
Amos 5:10-12,
8:4-6

Indeed, God’s concern for the well-being of society, by enacting justice for its most vulnerable people, pervades the Scriptures. 

The Ten Commandments, basic instructions for the love of God and neighbor, begin with a statement of God’s mercy in setting things right for a people suffering oppression— "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."



—Exodus 20:2

^* King quoted these words in numerous speeches and writings, including his "I Have a Dream" oration in the March on Washington, August 28, 1963. In that context, King’s phrasing is from the King James Version of the Bible.

Additional biblical texts on justice

In groups or individually, explore and reflect on the following texts and the stories from which they emerge.

The desires of God

Inspired by the God of Exodus, the prophet Jeremiah implored his people to "act justly with one another," ceasing to oppress "the alien, the orphan, and the widow."



—Jeremiah 7:5-6

Also reminding his people of their rescue from slavery in Egypt, Micah proclaimed that "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" constitutes the life of true worship.


—Micah 6:1-8

Speaking of worship, the Psalms extol God’s just character and rule. Psalm 99 addresses the Lord as "Mighty king, lover of justice."
—Psalm 99:4

God’s rule

According to Psalm 89, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of [God’s] throne." In the words of Psalm 146, "The Lord executes justice for the oppressed" and "gives food to the hungry"; "The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow."
—Psalm 89:14 and

Psalm 146:7, 9

Reflecting the character of God’s rule, Psalm 72 prescribes faithful human leadership as the administration of justice, as provision for "the poor" and "needy," for "those who have no helper."
—Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13

When Israel’s kings abused their power for personal gain, God sent prophets to hold them to account. Thus, Elijah condemned Ahab’s murderous seizure of Naboth’s ancestral land, and Nathan confronted David for his murderous covetousness.
—1 Kings 21; 2 Samuel 11-12

Followers of Christ

In fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, Jesus of Nazareth came announcing the kingdom of God, embodying in his life, death, and resurrection "good news to the poor," "release to the captives," recovery of sight to the blind," and freedom for "the oppressed."
—Mark 1:14-15;
Luke 4:16-21, quoting Isaiah 61:1-2. On Jesus’ fulfillment of the
Scriptures, see
Luke 24:44 and Matthew 5:17.

After his ascension, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers continued his mission. Justice characterized the church in Jerusalem, as the believers shared their possessions to such an extent that "there was not a needy person among them."
—Acts 4:32-37

When favoritism threatened to destroy the unity of the church, leadership mobilized the community for justice, the fair distribution of food to widows.
—Acts 6:1-7

Abundant life through Jesus

Unhindered by geography or nationality, the Jesus movement’s spread to Antioch did nothing to diminish its concern for justice; when a famine plagued believers in Jerusalem, disciples in Antioch sent relief "according to their ability."


—Acts 11:27-30

When greed began to divide the church in Corinth, so that "one goes hungry and another becomes drunk," Paul admonished believers to "wait for one another."
—1 Corinthians 11:21, 33

In this case, as in others, Paul pointed believers to Jesus himself, who took bread and gave it to others, who gave his life so that others might live.


—1 Corinthians 11:23-26

In words that contrast the way of exploitation and injustice with his own mission, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."


—John 10:10

Likewise, the pursuit of justice—an "equal sharing of the things that earth affords"—is essential to our witness to Jesus Christ today.

—Lyrics by Fred Kaan, "For the Healing of the Nations" in Voices Together

In encountering these texts…

What emerges for you regarding the biblical story?

Are there other scripture verses and/or stories that you think of that relate to justice?

If justice is a deeply held biblical value, what does it mean for us as followers of and witnesses to Jesus?

How does Anabaptist theology align with issues pertaining to civil rights?

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