Theory & Practice
Kinsler Jubilee Workbook VIII
Ross and Gloria Kinsler, the authors of The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for Life: An Invitation to Personal, Ecclesial, and Social Transformation, continue to discover useful materials for understanding the global economy, biblical teachings about economics, and attempts to practice economic justice. The following worksheets are bite-sized summaries to facilitate individual and group reflection and action. Each worksheet, which can be photocopied for all participants, provides stimulus for discussion. The sheets are organized under three very general headings: TODAY'S WORLD, BIBLICAL FAITH, and RESPONSIBLE DISCIPLESHIP. Jubilee spirituality requires critical thinking in all three dimensions. These materials may be reproduced or published with credit to the authors, who are members of the Sabbath Economics Collaborative: Educating and Animating for Jubilee Justice.
Jubilee Memo 2005.2 - Introduction http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/7112JUBILEE MEMO 2005-2.doc
Section I - TODAY'S WORLD
1. The Moral Challenge to Eliminate Poverty. Britain's Gordon Brown presses for greater debt relief and aid for impoverished countries, especially in Africa. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/8747THE MORAL CHALLENGE TO ELIMINATE POVERTY.doc
2. Dilemmas of Domination: The Unmaking of the American Empire. Filipino Walden Bello offers "a southern perspective on the crisis of the Empire." http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/4738DILEMMAS OF DOMINATION.doc
3. The World's Water Crisis. Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke affirm that "Humanity is polluting, diverting, and depleting the wellspring of life at a startling at a startling rate". http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/9222THE WORLDS WATER CRISIS.doc
4. Sweatshop Watch. Workers should earn a living wage in a safe, decent work environment, and those responsible for the exploitation of workers held accountable. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/7582SWEATSHOP WATCH.doc
5. Banking on Misery. How debt and credit mechanisms are used to exploit low income, blue-collar and minority consumers. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/4269BANKING ON MISERY.doc
Section II - BIBLICAL FAITH
1. Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder. Richard Horsley recovers Jesus' ministry under the Roman empire and our own. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/6740JESUS AND EMPIRE.doc
2. God's Economy: Biblical Studies from Latin America. These writers find that the message of economic justice lies at the core of the entire Bible. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/2637GODS ECONOMY.doc
3. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant - Matthew 18:23-35. Debts offered the primary mechanism for wealth accumulation, oppression, and domination. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/9526THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT.doc
4. The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31. Jesus' message proclaims dramatical reversal, calling for economic conversion. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/9585THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.doc
5. Sabbath Economics in Paul's Letters - 2 Corinthians 8-9. In his campaign to gather contributions for the poor in Jerusalem, Paul cites the Manna Story in Exodus 16. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/4824SABBATH ECONOMICS IN PAUL.doc
Section III - RESPONSIBLE DISCIPLESHIP
1. Letter from Accra - World Alliance of Reformed Churches. WARC challenges member churches to covenant for justice in the economy and the earth. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/1113LETTER FROM ACCRA.doc
2. The Pastoral Circle. Immersion, social analysis, theological reflection, and pastoral planning are essential dimensions of the quest for truth and transformation. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/7532THE PASTORAL CIRCLE.doc
3. World March of Women. Women's Global Charter for Humanity affirms that "another world is possible" through equality, freedom, solidarity, justice and peace. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/1028WORLD MARCH OF WOMEN.doc
4. Investing in People - Oikocredit. Around the world micro-credit programs are enabling the poor to work themselves out of poverty. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/3885INVESTING IN PEOPLE.doc
5. Take Action! Heifer International gives us a list of basic steps in the struggle to end hunger and poverty. http://www.sabbatheconomics.org/downloads/3066TAKE ACTION.doc
