Biblical Theme of Justice, Love, Fidelity, Mercy - Literature review Example

Task Outline A. Introduction B. Body Biblical theme on Justice a. New testament b. Old testament 2. Biblical theme on love a. New testament b. Old testament 3. Biblical theme on fidelity a. New testament b. Old testament 4. Biblical theme on mercy a. New testament b. Old testament C. Conclusion Biblical Theme of Justice, Love, Fidelity, Mercy Introduction The bible is one of the oldest literary manuscripts globally. It is in 2 sections, the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament accounts for events occurring prior to the New Testament that major on Israelites as the chosen people of God. It is a sacred book, which varies slightly according to the diverse denomination. The Old Testament narrates events that occurred during the time of Abraham, Moses, and the lives of Israelites. The common bible has 66 books written by various authors, at a different period influenced by the Holy Spirit. It is reputable that the bible is the most sold manuscript in the historical world compared to other literary books. Justice, fidelity, love and mercy are core themes found in the bible and are discussed aptly. 1. Biblical theme on Justice Old Testament God is just and desires man to practice integrity according to his guidance and instructions. He wants justice to be practiced in interpersonal relations among the populace. Justice refers to policies and set of laws that bind the society mutually in the Old Testament. The laws in testament are aimed at bringing harmony and love among people. Justice is viewed as liberation when the Israelites were liberated from the repression of slavery in Egypt (Groody, 33) Justice is depicted when God made a covenant with the Israelites after rescuing them from oppression and taking them to Promised Land. "’(The Egyptians) made the people of Israel serve with rigour and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field; in all their work they made them serve with rigour’ (Exodus 1: 13-14).” (The Irish Commission for Justice, & Peace, 4) The theme is noticed when God’s liberating power aided Israelites to become a nation and restructure their lives. This is an act of justice that God manifested to his people by liberating them from the repression and setting them free. The term ‘Yahweh the liberator’ is common in Old Testament since he is responsible in assisting the demoralized, and defenseless in society. They were overworked for a period in anticipating that God would come to their rescue and deliver them from subjugation. According to the Old Testament, a person cannot be just when relating to the covenant made amid man and God (Groody, 33). The covenant required Israelites to be just by assisting the oppressed and deprived. Justice significantly emphasizes on quality of human relation rather than the social power and person’s rights. The relationship existing amid individuals should be guided by covenant’s qualities such as steadfast, love, mercy and faithfulness. Amusingly, Israelites perceived a ‘just’ person as an individual who is well off and lives a comfortable life. The continuity in the development of the theme is seen in the story of Job, whose life experience teaches people that justice is appreciating good things in life and the ability to be aware that everything in existence is a gift from God. Prophet Zephaniah and Jeremiah esteemed the poor in the society since they were perceived as the chosen instrument in God’s implementation of justice. The act of justice by the Israelites is the basis of Israel’s faith. God is referred to as the ‘God of Covenant’ since he rejects worship that prohibits the significance and practice of justice. Consequently, for a Christian to be perceived as redeemer of the subjugated, he/she has to observe the duties critically (Groody, 32). New Testament Justice should prevail in society, and individuals should learn to be understanding and caring to be perceived justly. A ‘just’ person lives in accordance to the covenant way of life by believing on the teachings of Christ. The poor and oppressed in the society are protected from the rich and powerful individuals. The ‘Sermon on the Mount’ teaches the meaning and significance of justice in New Testament. The ‘beatitudes’ depict how God blesses the humble, peacemakers, and the deprived in spirit. Jesus recognizes and shows solidarity to prisoners, naked and the sick in hospital. The core message is that Christians should discover the area in which justice should be implemented in the society rather than acting only for justice. Paul teaches Christians that a man’s worth in the eyes of God is judged according to his/her acts on the deprived in society (Groody, 32). Jesus promised that justice is partially on the earth supposed and will be fully practiced by the Christians at his second coming. A Christian working for justice is considered to have faith and is closer to Jesus who is part of God. It is established through the onset of the creation and next coming of Christ God is fulfilling the covenant of justice he made with his people. The continuity in the development of the theme is seen when Paul relates justice to salvation arguing that Jesus’ faithfulness resulted to expression of God’s justice (Groody, 32). 2. Biblical theme on love Old Testament God is referred to as love in the bible. He gave key commandments to guide his people that major on love. Foremost commandment requires individuals to love God with their hearts, body and soul (Richards & Gary, 273). In the ‘Old Testament’, God used the ‘Ten Commandments’ to teach the Israelites the significance and meaning of love. Basically, the bible is known to be a ‘love story’ that depicts the connotation of love in the community, arguing that a person cannot please God when he/she lacks the virtue of love. It is difficult to measure the love of God because of its magnitude. The bible is perceived to be the only source of apt love and its nature to the world. A large number of individuals refer God in the Old Testament as the ‘God of Wrath’. God is same in both of the testaments and does not change as others perceive. The theme of love is illustrated in the ‘Old Testament’ in various occasions. Starting from the creation of the world, man was created perfectly by the love of God, and further handed the responsibility of taking care of the earth. Through God’s love, man was formed in likeness of God. The Israelites witnessed the great love of God in various occasions. The theme of love is depicted when He protected them from enemies and provided foodstuff during the dry period. When man loves, he fulfils the law given to guide man in living with others communally by God. Love is the core theme in depicted in the bible since it majors in almost of the events written in the bible (Richards & Gary, 273). New Testament Jesus Christ emphasized on love by summarizing all the commandments given to Israelites into love. He taught the people to possess the virtue of love since it is the basis of all godly virtues man is expected to have. Paul stated that Christians’ highest obligation is to love one another and emphasizes that other obligations ought to be a subordinate of love. "’Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction . . .’ (James 1:27).” (The Irish Commission for Justice & Peace, 8) It is believed that love will oppose to ideas of the ‘Old Testament’ since it will not allow the things restricted in the testament forbade. Love strongly relates to the Old Testament since it will not permit deceitfulness, stealing and execute. Moreover, Jesus taught Christians to love their adversary despite the repellent intentions they have on them. He insists that love should be motivated and sustained. In the New Testament, God love to humankind was manifested by offering his son as a forfeit to man’s sins. Subsequent commandment states that believers ought to love their neighbors as they adore themselves (Richards & Gary, 273). 3. Biblical theme on fidelity Old Testament In terms of covenant, Israelites were expected to be committed to the eternal Sinai, and remain faithful to the agreement. The Old Testament depicts fidelity since it is one of the core themes portrayed in the bible (Sonek, 243). Moreover, it is one of the reasons that united man to the glory of God. Thus, man faced the blessings of God who blessed them for acting rightly by being faithful and keeping God’s commandment. Fidelity is witnessed in Old Testament when Moses wrote on the blessings that come as a result of practicing it. The Israelites aligned themselves with God’s expectations on how wives and husbands should live. The theme is depicted in Noah’s family, since he was the solitary person who complied with God’s words of practicing fidelity. His family and marriage lived uprightly and avoided admiring different marital partners. They stuck to God’s rules and guidelines, which made God to bless them abundantly and be pleased. The theme is illustrated by the faithfulness of Noah’s family. During creation, God established marriage institution and gave guidelines to be followed. He created one woman to be the companion of a man. The theme of fidelity is seen at this point since God required man and woman to obey Him rather than obeying the desires of earthly things. The continuity in the development of fidelity in the Old Testament was practiced by Lot and his family, despite living among wicked people. God saved him because of his faithfulness and cautious marital status he practiced. According to Malachi, God adores fidelity and wants Israelites to keep the virtue in their hearts and value it. New Testament Christians are taught to marry one partner and should honor marriage since it is sacred. The New Testament advises husbands and wives to be faithful to one another (Sonek, 243). Jesus explains that a man and a woman will come together and be one flesh, signifying the significance of having one partner in marriage. His teachings are in agreement to fidelity and wants Christians to respect and honor marriage through keeping his words (Sonek, 243). The New Testament recognizes monogamy as divine and is against polygamy. Paul messages to believers were to esteem fidelity and stick to one partner when they decide to marry. Similarly, God promises to punish husbands and wives who defile marriage. Paul wrote that an individual who divorces a partner and ties the knot with a different partner is against the necessities of fidelity. He also warns partners who engage and marry divorced partners. Fidelity can be seen in a spiritual life since a Christian is expected to obey the laws of God and avoid the unrighteousness (Sonek, 243). Christians are, therefore, required to be faithful to God and abide only in His commandments since God only recognizes a marriage that is guided by His rules and guidelines. Consequently, the theme of fidelity is depicted throughout the bible, both from in the new and old testament. 4. Biblical theme on mercy New Testament Mercy is a theme depicted is in both New and Old Testament through the events that occurred. Jesus is known for his compassion that he had on mankind. He gave his life to mankind because of the mercy towards man. He performed miracles and cured the sick in society because of his mercy upon mankind. Throughout his ministry, Jesus showed mercy to all people he encountered with despite the relationship status. The continuity in the development of the theme is seen when he showed mercy to both his enemies and allies and expected his disciples to imitate these virtues. Mercy is a core theme depicted in the New Testament and Christians are expected to show to one another (Davison, Sara & Juengst, 58). In analyzing who Jesus was, it is established that he is the grace and mercy of God to mankind. His teachings reflect the virtue and Christians are expected to show mercy and humanity to God. Through the mercy of Christ, man is able to getaway from God’s ruling and live eternal life in heaven. Consequently, the reward of ceaseless life is possible because of the mercy God and Jesus had for man in order to offer second chance in life. According to the bible, mercy involves kindness or goodness towards individuals especially, the underprivileged and unfortunate in the society. Paul writes in his letter to Romans that God is merciful to all humans, and he expects that they imitate this virtue to their fellow neighbors (Davison, Sara & Juengst, 58). Old Testament In the book of Lamentation, the theme of mercy is seen when the Israelites thank God for having mercy on them. They had survived the wrath from their enemies who were eager to consume them in flames. God assisted them to fight the enemies and overwhelm them when they felt weak and unable to defeat them through his mercies. David praised God in his songs when he sang that God tender mercies were upon his chosen people the Israelites. He describes God’s mercies as everlasting and one that cannot end; hence making it inimitable. Mercy is a theme that is observed in almost all events in the bible (Davison, Sara & Juengst, 58). Israelites were key witness to God’s mercy to them who guided and protected them from enemies. "’I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings’ (Exodus 3:7).” (The Irish Commission for Justice, & Peace, 4) Personalities such as David, Isaac and Moses depicted the virtue of mercy to individuals in the Israelites. Prophet Micah states that God delights in mercy, and therefore, was able to pardon the intractable Israelites. God’s mercy is seen throughout the exodus, when Israelites were in desert, having no water to quest their thirst. He guided them throughout the journey by providing security and water when it was limited. The bible is full of God’s mercy which is one of the core virtues He possesses. Mankind is able to have a second chance in life and thrive in God’s mercies. In New Testament, human beings are delivered from the influence of obscurity and brought to the wonderful light through the mercy of God who sent His son to die for sinful nature. Thus, man has to be appreciative and thankful to God for showing his mercy and anticipates us to practice the virtue to others by showing love to them. Conclusion The bible has innumerable themes such as ‘love’, ‘mercy’, ‘fidelity’ and ‘justice’ in both new and Old Testament. The bible has copious events narrated and discussed that bring out the themes which are useful for comprehending the content of the stories. Love as a theme is believed to be the basis of all the positive virtues a Christian should have and practice. Fidelity is seen in some stories of both the testaments. God is esteems fidelity and anticipates His creation to be faithful to their partners. Mercy has enabled man to get favor from God and live eternally if he keeps His commandments. For a person to be ‘just’, he/she ought to care for the unfortunate and stand for their rights in the community. Consequently, the bible is an educative manuscript that is perceived to be helpful to mankind because of its edifying themes. Work Cited Davison, James E, and Sara C. Juengst. Journey Through the Word: Exploring Biblical Themes. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. Print. Groody, Daniel G. Globalization, Spirituality, and Justice: Navigating a Path to Peace. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2007. Print. Richards, Larry, and Gary J. Bredfeldt. Creative Bible Teaching. Chicago: Moody Press, 1998. Print. Sonek, Krzysztof. Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in Biblical Narratives: A Hermeneutical Study of Genesis 21:1-21. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2009. Internet resource. The Irish Commission for Justice & Peace. What the Bible Says About Justice. Web. April 24, 2012. Available at Read More