1. Social Teaching in the Old Testament
Article 2
Catholic Social Teaching
Document #: TX001945

2. Imagine… Clear your mind of any preconceived ideas of justice…
Read along and “hear” the call from scripture about what God is telling us… how to share in His call to Original Holiness and Original Justice

3. The Social Dimension of God’s Plan of Salvation
Original Sin has clouded our reason and ability to know God through the natural world
Divine Revelation happens through:
Scripture
Tradition (Magisterium, Apostolic Succession)
Salvation History – reflecting of God’s involvement in human history through OT to Jesus
Covenants – a solemn agreement between God and man
To restore us to Original Holiness
To restore us to Original Justice

4. The Social Dimension of God’s Plan of Salvation
Noah Covenant
The first covenant in the OT
Sign - Rainbow
To never again destroy the earth by flood
For man to respect his fellow man
Abraham Covenant
The start of the Chosen People
3 Promises
Great nation, descendants
A Land
Your name will be a blessing
All these promises fulfilled in Jesus
These promises bring the Chosen People to the OH & OJ

5. The Social Dimension of God’s Plan of Salvation
Sinai Covenant (Mosaic Covenant)
Imbued with social justice
The defense of human dignity by ensuring essential human needs are met and protected
God took pity on the enslavement and suffering of the Israelites
The exodus was about being “delivered” from suffering
God is on the side of those treated unjustly; the “oppressed”
Mt. Sinai the place where the “Law” (Decalogue/10 Commandments) was delivered
Old Law – Divine law that defined holiness and justice
New Law – aka the Law of Love

6. Social teaching in the Old Testament can be broken into five major themes: p12
1. Respect for Human Life
2. Respect for Property
Image in shutterstock
3. Honesty in Business
4. Just Distribution of Wealth
5. Special Concern for the Vulnerable

7. One must not cause another person physical harm.
Respect Human Life Principles Taught in the Old Testament
One must not cause another person physical harm.
Image in shutterstock
If someone does injure or kill another human being, even accidentally or through negligence, a just recompense must be made for the harm done.
It is ironic that Jewish law currently does not protect “life” until it is actually born, i.e. allow for pro-choice as a moral belief

8. Respect for Property Principles Taught in the Old Testament
The right to private property is a basic human right necessary for a person’s or family’s survival.
By Infrogmation of New Orleans (Photo by Infrogmation) [GFDL ( CC-BY-SA-2.0 ( CC-BY-SA-2.5 ( or CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons
Note: The right to private property is not an absolute right in the Old Law.

9. Honesty in Business Principle Taught in the Old Testament
One must act fairly in financial affairs and must not profit from someone else’s misfortune.
Click to add notes
Image in shutterstock

10. Just Distribution of Wealth Principles Taught in the Old Testament
The natural resources that people need to survive must be fairly distributed.
Image in shutterstock
When the ownership of natural resources becomes unbalanced, those resources must periodically be redistributed.
Click to add notes

11. Special Concern for the Vulnerable Principle Taught in the Old Testament
One must treat foreigners, widows, orphans, and other vulnerable people in society with compassion and generosity.
WikiMediaComons

12. The next step was the New Law, which emphasizes God’s love and mercy.
Image in shutterstock
The Old Law was a step in God’s plan, the first stage of the revealed law.
The next step was the New Law, which emphasizes God’s love and mercy.

13. Additional Refelctions
A Catholic look at Scriptural roots of Justice - (7:51 mins)
“Justice” challenges for us to "do justice" in the way we see the world… (3 mins)

14. “
what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8) . ”
(The scriptural quotation in this presentation is from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms. Copyright © 1991, 1986, and 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. Used by the permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.)