Social Justice And The Sacred

"Alberto Hurtado, S.J. (1901-52), was a monumental figure in the Americas in the last century, yet to date he has not been extensively studied and publications about him are especially lacking in English. Because he combined both serious academic work with hugely influential pastoral work, he is more accessible than more purely academic figures (Ellacuria, Sobrino, Segundo, Boff). While deeply rooted in the predominant theological currents of his time-which included strands of conservatism, anti-modernism, and concern about socialism and unbridled capitalism-Hurtado also articulated forward-looking, progressive views on social rights, reform, the needs of the working class, and education policy. Providing a thorough overview of this hugely important figure in Chilean history, both within and beyond the Catholic church, this book of collected essays examines Hurtado's life and writings from a variety of perspectives. Thus, it offers a rich understanding of who he was, how his thought took shape and evolved, and why he is still relevant in the early 21st century. This is the first book in English which examines Hurtado and his thought. "Social Justice and the Sacred" will be of interest to several different audiences. Scholars and students of Latin American history will appreciate the way it grounds Hurtado and his influence in that region's historical development. Researchers and students in theology and spiritualty, as well as church leaders, will find it of value for its examination of how Hurtado fits into the arc that leads from the conservatism of the 19th century to the strong social concern (and even liberation theology) of the 20th century. The book-or at least chapters from it-lend themselves to being used in undergraduate and graduate courses on theology, Latin American Studies, and history"--

Spirituality and Social Justice explores how critically informed spirituality can serve as an inspiration and a political force in the quest for social and ecological justice. Writing from various spiritual and religious worldviews, including Indigenous, Islamic, Wicca/Witchcraft, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian, the authors—practitioners and academics of social work—draw on lived experience, research, and literature to illuminate how relationship with spirit can orient ways of being and acting to build a more just society. In Part One, the authors foreground Indigenous spirituality as resistance and decolonization. Part Two examines the complex ethical and political dimensions of spirituality, including the ecological destruction of the Earth and the influence of contemporary neoliberalism. Lastly, Part Three explores spirituality in teaching and learning contexts, both inside and beyond the classroom. Engaging and well-written, Spirituality and Social Justice challenges the notion that practitioners must put aside their critical spirituality in teaching, learning, healing, and practice. Students, practitioners, and academics of social work and other helping professions will benefit from the unique insights into spirituality and religion and how they inform social justice activism.

The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Religion and Social Justice brings together a team of distinguished scholars to provide a comprehensive and comparative account of social justice in the major religious traditions. The first publication to offer a comparative study of social justice for each of the major world religions, exploring viewpoints within Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism Offers a unique and enlightening volume for those studying religion and social justice - a crucially important subject within the history of religion, and a significant area of academic study in the field Brings together the beliefs of individual traditions in a comprehensive, explanatory, and informative style All essays are newly-commissioned and written by eminent scholars in the field Benefits from a distinctive four-part organization, with sections on major religions; religious movements and themes; indigenous people; and issues of social justice, from colonialism to civil rights, and AIDS through to environmental concerns

Malchow demonstrates that Israel did not originate the concept of social justice. Rather, it drew its resources for overcoming injustice from Near Eastern thought on the subject. By combining its own ideas of social justice with those of its neighbors, Israel's people fought injustice with what was "new" and what was "old".

Does social justice promote Christian unity? With reference to paragraph 12 of Unitatis Redintegratio--Vatican II's declaration on ecumenism--this book argues that an emphasis on justice and unity without proper consideration of social context actually risks obscuring a clear public declaration of Christ, by having Christians uncritically accept the presumptions that underpin the sociopolitical status quo. This constitutes a failure in Christian interpretation, the crux of which is a failure in ecclesiology. Matthew John Paul Tan suggests the beginnings of a corrective with reference to works by Pope Benedict XVI, theologians such as Graham Ward, and postmodern theorists like Michel Foucault. Ultimately, Tan invites the reader to begin considering how answering this seemingly simple question will implicate not only theology, but also philosophy and political theory, as well as considering the need for the church to engage in a bolder confessional politics in place of the politics of the public square often favored by Christian and non-Christian commentators.

What does the Torah have to say about social justice? As the contributors to The Social Justice Torah Commentary demonstrate, a great deal. A diverse array of authors delve deeply into each week's parashah, drawing lessons to inspire tikkun olam. Chapters address key contemporary issues such as racism, climate change, mass incarceration, immigration, disability, women's rights, voting rights, and many more. The result is an indispensable resource for weekly Torah study and for anyone committed to repairing the world. Published by CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis

How and why did The Sacred Canopy by Peter L. Berger (1929–2017) become a classic? How have scholars used Berger's ideas over the past 50 years since its publication? How are these ideas relevant to the future of the sociology of religion? Peter L. Berger and the Sociology of Religion explores these questions by providing a broad overview of Berger's work, as well as more focussed studies. The chapters discuss both aspects of Berger's classic text: the 'systematic' sociological theorising on religion and the 'historical' theorising on secularisation. The articles also critically examine Berger's reversal regarding secularisation and the suggested 'desecularisation' of the world. The approaches range from disciplinary history to applications of Berger's ideas. The book includes contributions from Nancy Ammerman, Steve Bruce, David Feltmate, Effie Fokas, Titus Hjelm, D. Paul Johnson, Hubert Knoblauch, Silke Steets, Riyaz Timol, and Bryan S. Turner.

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has tackled many issues of urgent reform within the church. Mercy in Action explores Pope Francis’s efforts to renewCatholic social teaching—the guidance the church offers on matters that pertain to social justice in the world. The book examines what Pope Francis has said, done, and written on six critical social issues today—economic inequality, worker justice, preserving the environment, healthy family life, the plight of refugees, and peacemaking. The book also highlights both continuity and change in Catholic social teaching. Author Thomas Massaro illustrates how on each social issue—from expressing solidarity with unemployed workers to writing an encyclical addressing environmental degradation and climate change—Pope Francis has worked to update the church’s message of social justice and mercy.