Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

forego employment in favor of the support (as limited as it is). Now, many state and local agencies are setting hard limits on the length of time that a person can receive government aid, and are making job training and participation mandatory. They argue that aid is for temporary support not permanent care. Those who argue against these kinds of approaches claim that while these initiatives look good, they do not address the more fundamental issues of a living wage at a job that actually can support a growing family. The short term gain of getting a person on welfare off the rolls only undermines the more fundamental question as to whether or not you can quickly reshape a social situation that took years to develop. In your opinion what ought to be a defensible Christian view about the role of government in supporting the lives of its most needy citizens?

Christian Mission and the Poor

Segment 1: Shalom in the Covenant Community

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

The concept of the poor is built on the biblical vision of shalom, or wholeness: shalom is the Hebrew term for “fullness of human community in fellowship with God and with one another.” The biblical elements of shalom include the experience of health and wellness, safety and protection from harm, harmony between neighbors, prosperity and material sufficiency, and the absence of malice and conflict–genuine peace. It also includes the idea of shalom as God’s gracious provision, as is connected with the coming of the Messiah who is the Prince of shalom , as well as shalom as the standard for the people of God. Poverty is the denial of God’s shalom ; his blessing and provision were given to prevent the occurrence of poverty, and the commands to the covenant community were designed to ensure justice and righteousness among Yahweh’s people. The Exodus embodies God’s identification with the poor and the oppressed, revealing his heart of justice and creating his covenant community which was called to be a reflection of his holiness, a model of justice and mercy, and a beacon for the nations. The Scriptures define several causes of poverty, including natural disaster and calamity (e.g., famine, drought, storm, etc.), personal laziness and slothfulness (e.g., bad decisions, immoral character, idleness, hard-heartedness, etc.), and oppression and injustice from the hands of the powerful (e.g., mistreatment, exploitation,

Summary of Segment 1

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