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Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías

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Appearance of the Angel to the Family of TobíasExploring the Spiritual Significance of "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobas" Understanding the Biblical Narrative Behind the Painting The Story of Tobas: A Journey of Faith and Guidance The painting "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobas" captures a pivotal moment from the Book of Tobit, a lesser known text in the Apocrypha. This narrative tells the story of Tobas, a young man on a quest to retrieve his father's money, guided by

Exploring the Spiritual Significance of "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías"

Understanding the Biblical Narrative Behind the Painting

The Story of Tobías: A Journey of Faith and Guidance

The painting "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" captures a pivotal moment from the Book of Tobit, a lesser-known text in the Apocrypha. This narrative tells the story of Tobías, a young man on a quest to retrieve his father's money, guided by the angel Raphael. The journey symbolizes faith, trust, and divine intervention, showcasing how angels serve as messengers of God. This biblical tale emphasizes the importance of family bonds and the guidance that faith can provide during challenging times.

Angelic Interventions in Religious Art

Angels have long been depicted in religious art, representing divine presence and guidance. In this painting, the angel Raphael stands as a beacon of hope and protection. The portrayal of angels in art often reflects the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the time, making them significant subjects in religious narratives. Merino's work exemplifies how these celestial beings can bridge the gap between the divine and the earthly, offering comfort and reassurance to believers.

Ignacio Merino: The Master Behind the Canvas

Biography of Ignacio Merino: A Glimpse into His Artistic Journey

Ignacio Merino, a prominent Spanish painter of the 19th century, is celebrated for his ability to blend realism with spiritual themes. Born in 1808, Merino's artistic journey was influenced by the Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion and individualism. His dedication to capturing the essence of human experience is evident in his works, particularly in "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías." Merino's paintings often reflect his deep understanding of religious narratives and his commitment to portraying them with authenticity.

Merino's Unique Style: Blending Realism with Spiritual Themes

Merino's style is characterized by a harmonious blend of realism and spirituality. He skillfully uses light and shadow to create depth and emotion in his paintings. This technique enhances the viewer's connection to the divine, making the spiritual themes more relatable. In "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías," Merino's unique approach allows the viewer to feel the weight of the moment, as the angel delivers a message of hope and guidance to the family.

Visual Analysis of "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías"

Composition and Color Palette: A Study in Harmony

The composition of "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" is masterfully arranged, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figures. The warm color palette, featuring rich golds and deep blues, evokes a sense of tranquility and reverence. Merino's use of color not only enhances the emotional impact of the scene but also reflects the divine nature of the angelic presence.

Symbolism of Light and Shadow in the Painting

Light and shadow play a crucial role in this artwork. The angel Raphael is illuminated, symbolizing divine truth and guidance, while the family is partially shrouded in shadow, representing their earthly struggles. This contrast highlights the angel's role as a guiding light in their lives, emphasizing the theme of hope amidst adversity.

Character Expressions: Capturing Emotion and Divine Presence

The expressions of the characters in the painting are poignant and expressive. Tobías and his family display a mix of awe and reverence as they encounter the angel. Merino captures the moment's emotional weight, allowing viewers to connect with the characters' feelings of wonder and gratitude. This attention to detail enhances the spiritual significance of the scene.

Thematic Elements: Faith, Family, and Divine Guidance

Exploring the Role of Angels in Art and Religion

Angels serve as powerful symbols in both art and religion. They represent divine intervention, protection, and guidance. In "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías," the angel Raphael embodies these qualities, reminding viewers of the importance of faith in navigating life's challenges. This theme resonates deeply within the context of religious art, where angels often act as intermediaries between God and humanity.

The Importance of Family in Religious Narratives

Family plays a central role in the story of Tobías. The painting emphasizes the bonds of love and support that exist within a family unit. This theme is prevalent in many religious narratives, highlighting the significance of familial relationships in spiritual journeys. Merino's portrayal of the family in this moment of divine encounter underscores the idea that faith is often strengthened through shared experiences and mutual support.

Historical Context: The Era of Ignacio Merino

Art Movements Influencing Merino's Work

Ignacio Merino's work was influenced by the Romantic movement, which sought to express emotion and individual experience. This movement emphasized the beauty of nature and the human spirit, shaping Merino's artistic vision. His ability to convey deep emotional narratives through his paintings aligns with the Romantic ideals of the time, making his work resonate with audiences seeking connection and meaning.

Religious Art in the 19th Century: Trends and Transformations

The 19th century saw significant transformations in religious art. Artists began to explore new techniques and themes, moving away from traditional representations. Merino's "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" reflects this shift, as it combines classical elements with a more personal and emotional approach. This evolution in religious art allowed for a deeper exploration of faith and spirituality, making it more accessible to the public.

Comparative Analysis: "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" and Other Works

Similarities with Other Angelic Depictions in Art

Contrasting Styles: Merino vs. His Contemporaries

While many of Merino's contemporaries focused on grand historical themes, he chose to delve into intimate moments of faith and family. This contrast highlights Merino's distinctive approach to religious art. His ability to capture the emotional essence of a scene makes "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" a standout piece in the landscape of 19th-century art.

FAQs About "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías"

What is the story depicted in "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías"?

The painting depicts the moment when the angel Raphael appears to Tobías and his family, offering guidance and reassurance during their journey of faith.

Who are the main figures represented in the painting?

The main figures include Tobías, his father Tobit, and the angel Raphael, each representing different aspects of faith and divine guidance.

What artistic techniques did Ignacio Merino use in this work?

Merino employed techniques such as chiaroscuro to create depth and emotion, along with a harmonious color palette to enhance the spiritual themes of the painting.

How does this painting reflect the themes of faith and guidance?

The painting illustrates the importance of faith in overcoming challenges, with the angel serving as a symbol of divine guidance and support for the family.

What is the significance of the angel in the context of the painting?

The angel Raphael represents divine intervention and hope, reminding viewers of the power of faith and the presence of spiritual guidance in their lives.

How does "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" compare to other religious artworks?

This painting stands out for its emotional depth and focus on family dynamics, contrasting with more grandiose religious artworks that emphasize larger themes.

What should I know about the reproduction of this painting?

Reproductions of "Appearance of the Angel to the Family of Tobías" are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, offering a superior alternative to prints. They capture the richness of color and texture, allowing art lovers to appreciate Merino's work in their own homes.

Are there any notable features in the reproduction of this artwork?

High-quality reproductions highlight the intricate details of the original painting, such as the expressions of the characters and the play of light and shadow, making them a valuable addition to any art collection.

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Joshua Reich
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
How the Gospel & Justice go hand in hand
Anything by Tim Keller is worth reading and re-reading. His book Generous Justice is no different. I worked my way through it last week as I prepped my sermon on James 2. Here is the main idea of the book: "If a person grasped the meaning of God's grace in his heart, he will do justice. If he doesn't live justly, then he may say with his lips that he is grateful for God's grace, but in his heart he is far from him. If he doesn't care about the poor, it reveals that at best he doesn't understand the grace he has experienced, and at worst he has not really encountered the saving mercy of God. Grace should make you just." One of the more interesting things I found in the book was how Keller weaved through Scripture and looked at the various places that justice, poor, widows, orphans, etc. are talked about in the Old and New Testaments. He also pointed out how God is introduced in Scripture as "the father to the fatherless and defender of the widow" almost more than any title. Which strikes me because God is often associated with suburbia. If the church and his followers are to be like him, what does that mean our lives should be like? What would we have to do so that we are identified as "the father to the fatherless and the defender of the widow?" Keller answers, "If God's character includes a zeal for justice that leads him to have the tenderest love and closest involvement with the socially weak, then what should God's people be like? They must be people who are likewise passionately concerned for the weak and vulnerable." But what does doing justice mean? It has become a polarizing word and idea. Often, "doing justice" is associated solely with left wing politics or liberal Christianity, the social gospel. In fact, after spending the last 2 weeks talking about loving the overlooked at Revolution I was asked by someone if we were getting political as a church. While the question is misguided, I understand where it comes from. Evangelical Christianity is more focused on souls and eternity, which we are called to and incredibly important, but we are also called to love people and meet practical needs at the same time. I don't think you can separate the two (or at least we shouldn't separate the two), even though lots of people do. Justice is intricately associated with the gospel. Keller says, "We do justice when we give all human beings their due as creations of God. Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs (the gospel), but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable. This kind of life reflects the character of God. It consists of a broad range of activities, from simple fair and honest dealings with people in daily life, to regular, radically generous giving of your time and resources, to activism that seeks to end particular forms of injustice, violence, and oppression." Here are a few things that jumped out: -A true experience of the grace of Jesus Christ inevitably motivates a man or woman to seek justice in the world. -God loves and defends those with the least economic and social power, and so should we. That is what it means to "do justice." -The Bible gives believers two basic motivations for doing justice - joyful awe before the goodness of God's creation, and the experience of God's grace in redemption. I highly, highly recommend picking up this book. Every Christian needs to wrestle with what it means to be changed by the gospel and the implications on how we live and what that means in terms of the overlooked and "doing justice" in our world. For more, check out [...]
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2011
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Better Display Cases
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 4
Good Book; Slightly Biased
I liked Tim Keller's book quite a bit. He makes a strong, biblical case for the necessity for christians to do justice. This part of the gospel has been lacking in conservative, evangelical circles. So, Pastor Keller performs a real service, as a conservative evangelical, in speaking out on the issue. However, there is a slight, conservative, bias in the book. He seems to try to bend over backwards to be fair, but still ends up missing and misstating a few things. As a conservative, he de-emphasizes the important role of government in social justice and the necessity for christians to actively promote justice in the public sphere. Yes, he mentions this, and even gives some examples where christians should be involved in promoting justice in the public sphere. But, the instances he cites are small cases like when we see injustice in local law enforcement or building inspector corruption. Those sorts of things. That's fine as far as it goes, but it's the tip of the iceberg. The things that can make a big difference in our society in promoting justice are national policies involving health care, housing assistance, education assistance, food stamps, etc. Mr. Keller avoids talking about those things because they are inconsistent with the politics that conservative christians almost universally support. So, he doesn't want to alienate his supporters. And, perhaps he himself opposes things like national health care. Of course, obviously, that position is inconsistent with what Jesus taught about caring for the poor and sick. Mr. Keller, and other conservatives, would say it's not the government's role to provide health care to the poor; rather the role of the church. And, he would cite some small example of some church that maybe offers free health screenings. Give me a break. Tell me the church I can send a homeless person to where he can live and receive the cancer or heart treatment he needs and then I'll agree with Mr. Keller and the conservatives. Until then, the government MUST play a role in this area and christians should be leaders in promoting that. But, Mr. Keller, rather predictably, mostly ignores this issue of the actual, true role of modern government in justice -- which necessarily, for better or worse, has to be quite large. We see this conservative slant to the book other times as well. For instance, when talking about the Sermon on the Mount, Keller says that both conservatives and liberals miss part of Jesus' message. He says conservatives ignore Jesus' words about social justice and liberals ignore his words about personal morality. I just don't think that's fair because I think liberal christians care just as much as conservatives about private morality. It's possible to point to an issue here or there where that's not true; but then it's possible to point to others that point in the other direction. The bottom line is that supporting social justice requires private morality (unselfishness). Mr. Keller cites the private/individual morality issues that Jesus discusses as sexual lust in the heart, adultery, divorce and overwork and materialism. Yet, there is no evidence that liberals are more guilty of these issues than conservatives; in fact, I'd suggest the opposite may be true (certainly with respect to overwork and materialism). I wish Keller would simply admit the obvious which is that liberal christians are much more on board with the Sermon on the Mount and generally with Jesus' message of promotion of Justice and God's Kingdom on earth. That message is at the heart of christian liberalism. But, rather than simply admitting that this is an area that liberals generally get right and conservatives get wrong; instead Keller reaches for straws that don't exist. We see this again when Keller says in the introduction to the book that Walter Rauschenbusch (a "father" of liberal christianity) "rejected the traditional doctrines of Scripture and atonement." As evidence for this serious and broad criticism, Keller provides a footnote which fails to provide any quotes, rather it simply references Rauschenbusch's book A Theology for the Social Gospel, Ch. 19 and says that Rauschenbusch therein "rejects the theory of penal substitution." Yet if one reads Ch. 19 of Rauschenbusch's book, one will find he clearly does NOT reject the theories of atonement or penal substitution. In fact, on page 244 Rauschenbusch states: "As Christian men we believe that the death of our Lord concerns us all. Our sins caused it. He bore the sin of the world. In turn his death was somehow for our good. Our spiritual situation is fundamentally changed in consequence of it." Then on pg. 273, Rauschenbusch says: "The cross is the monumental fact telling of grace and inviting repentance and humility." Furthermore, Rauschenbusch on numerous occasions in all his books specifically states that his ideas of social justice take nothing away from traditional christian theology; rather they add important things to it. The very things Keller talks about. Again, Keller provides no detailed information about why he thinks Rauschenbusch denied the theory of atonement -- he simply says he did and in a footnote cites a book that seems to not say what Keller thinks it says. This kind of unfair and misleading criticism of "liberal" christians is just wrong and we see it too much. Liberal christianity does not deny any of the essentials of the faith (at least the liberals that Keller talks about); but adds the "do" and "God's Kingdom" parts of the gospel that conservative christians too often miss. Keller does a great service in pointing this out. I just wish he was fair to liberal christians who have long been exactly where Mr. Keller has now arrived. But, again, very good book. And, one that I hope many christians (conservative and liberal) will read.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2011
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Pete Beck III
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Book Summary for Generous Justice
I have read several of Keller's books. This one is a must read for every Christian, especially for those who hearts are nudging them toward ministry to the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. I will attempt summarize the book, but I encourage you to read it for yourself. In Chapter One, citing Micah 6:8, Keller defines biblical justice as care for the vulnerable. In premodern, agrarian societies, these four groups [widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor] had no social power. They lived at a subsistence level and were only a few days away from starvation if there were any famine, invasion, or even minor social unrest. Today this quartet would be expanded to include the refugee, the migrant worker, the homeless, and many single parents and elderly people. The mishpat, or justness, of a society, according to the Bible, is evaluated by how it treats these groups. (pp.4-5) Realize, then, how significant it is that the Biblical writers introduce God as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows" (Psalm 68:4-5). This is one of the main things he does in the world. He identifies with the powerless; he takes up their cause. (p.6) Keller introduces another word for justice from the Old Testament, tzadeqah, which defines the righteous as those who are "right with God and therefore committed to putting right all other relationships in life." (p10) The two words, mishpat and tzadeqah, are used together over three dozen times. "The English expression that best conveys the meaning is 'social justice.'" (p.14) Keller then turns to the New Testament to point out that Jesus calls gifts to the poor "acts of righteousness." (Matthew 6:1-2) He concludes that "not giving generously, then, is not stinginess, but unrighteousness, a violation of God's law." (p15) Chapter Two delves more deeply into the the themes of justice in the Old Testament. God gave the Israelites numerous laws "that, if practiced, would have virtually eliminated any permanent underclass." (p.27) There were laws of release from debt every seven years. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 commands Israelites to "be openhanded and freely lend him [the poor] whatever he needs," to help them reach self-sufficiency. Gleaning laws commanded land owners to leave a certain portion of their crops in the fields so that the poor could work to provide food for themselves. Every third year the tithes were put in public storehouses for the poor and marginalized. (Deut. 14:29) Every fifty years on the year of Jubilee, all debts were forgiven, the land went back to its original owners, and slaves were freed. Each person or family had at least a once-in-a-lifetime chance to start afresh, no matter how irresponsibly they had handled their finances or how far into debt they had fallen. (p.28) Keller shows how Paul used Exodus 16:18 as a reference when he wrote 2 Corinthians Chapter Eight. He showed how the Israelites were commanded not to hoard manna, but to share it with those who may not have gathered enough. The idea being that "the money you earn is a gift from God. Therefore the money you make must be shared to build up community. So wealthier believers must share with poorer ones. (p31) Before you jump to any conclusions, Keller is not a socialist, but shows how the Bible cannot be confined to any one political or economic philosophy. He cites Craig Blomberg's survey of the Mosaic laws of gleaning, releasing, tithing, and the Jubilee, where he concludes: "the Biblical attitude toward wealth and possessions does not fit into any of the normal categories of democratic capitalism, or of traditional monarchial feudalism, or of state socialism." (p.32) Keller writes: "One of the main reasons we cannot fit the Bible's approach into a liberal or conservative economic model is the Scripture's highly nuanced understanding of the causes of poverty." (p.33) Whereas liberals blame social forces beyond the control of the poor and conservatives blame the breakdown of the family, poor character, and bad personal practices, the Bible is more balanced. Oppression is certainly one main reason for poverty, and the rich are blamed when vast disparities exist between the rich and poor. I will not cite the references here to be as concise as possible. He writes: "the Mosaic legislation was designed to keep the ordinary disparities between the wealthy and the poor from becoming aggravated and extreme." (p.33) The Bible also lists natural disasters as a cause of poverty. Some people lack the ability to make wise decisions. Another cause is personal moral failure. "Poverty, therefore, is seen in the Bible as a very complex phenomenon." (p.34) In the New Testament, Keller quotes Luke 14:12-13 to show us "that it is in some respects our duty to give a preference to the poor." (p.46) In contrast to the patronage system in existence in Jesus' day, what Jesus prescribed "would have looked like economic and social suicide." (p.47) Instead of doing favors for the rich and influential, our Lord advised serving those who can do nothing for us. "Like Isaiah, Jesus taught that a lack of concern for the poor is not a minor lapse, but reveals that something is seriously wrong with one's spiritual compass, the heart." (p.51) The parable of the sheep and goats teaches that our heart and service towards the poor and marginalized reflect our heart and service to Jesus. Perhaps the best chapter in the book is the fifth, entitled "Why Should We Do Justice?" When we delve down into what really motivates our behavior and values, we discover hidden treasure. It is obvious that mere reason and guilt trips will not change people's hearts to be more involved with helping the helpless. Keller comes at the "why" from two angles. The first is what he calls "honoring the image," which is based on creation. "The image of God carries with it the right to not be mistreated or harmed." (p.84) Or to put it another way, "Because we treasure the owner [God], we honor his house [people]." (p.85) Using this line of reasoning, we must acknowledge that everything we have came from God and ultimately belongs to God. We are stewards or caretakers of another's property. Applying the Old Testament principles of mishpat and tzadeqah, we can say, "the righteous [tzaddiq]...are willing to disadvantage themselves to advantage the community; the wicked are willing to disadvantage the community to advantage themselves." (p.90) Does this not echo the words of Paul: You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT) With reference to the gleaning laws, Keller writes: In God's view, however, while the poor did not have a right to the ownership of the farmer's land, they had a right to some of its produce. If the owner did not limit his profits and provide the poor with an opportunity to work for their own benefit in the field, he did not simply deprive the poor of charity, but of justice, of their right. Why? A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God's. (p.91) The second part of the "why" we should do justice is found in our response to grace. The idea here is that none of us deserve God's grace. Any argument against serving the poor because they don't deserve our help falls apart in light of this truth. James wrote that to look at a brother or sister without resources and do nothing about it reveals a lifeless kind of faith. (James 2:15-16) The doctrine of justification is necessary because the demands of the law are so high that none of us can attain to it. God's commands regarding loving the poor and helpless are so high that we must rely on God's grace to enable us to fulfill them. "People who come to grasp the gospel of grace and become spiritually poor find their hearts gravitating toward the materially poor. To the degree that the gospel shapes your self-image, you will identify with those in need." (p.102) Keller concludes: "I believe, however, when justice for the poor is connected not to guilt but to grace and to the gospel, this 'pushes the button' down deep in believers' souls, and they begin to wake up." (p.107) The last two chapters deal with practical aspects of doing justice individually, as a church, and in partnership with others in the community. Since I am growing weary and need to move on to some other things, I will leave those to you to read. The last chapter shows how Jesus identified with the poor and oppressed when he hung upon the cross, penniless and without justice. His trial and execution were illegal. God came to earth as a poor carpenter and died as a criminal. He is the advocate of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized people of the earth, and has called his church to join him in manifesting God's love to those who desperately need it. I hope you will take the time to purchase and read this book. It will impact your life for good. You can purchase the reviewer's book on Amazon:
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Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2011
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Richard Burkey Lifelong Learner
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Awakening My Heart for the Poor
"I would like to believe that a heart for the poor `sleeps' down in a Christian's soul until it is awakened" says Tim Keller in Generous Justice. He then adds, "when justice for the poor is connected not to guilt but to grace and to the gospel, this `pushes the button' down deep in believers' souls, and then begin to wake up. For me, Generous Justice, pushed the button, one that God has been pushing the past year or so, to see the world, to see the challenges of the poor and other 3rd world issues, with a desire to make a difference. What I like about Keller's theology and writing is an understanding of grace. Guilt can motivate, but it's not God's way to motivate. Guilt can push for a moment, grace can drive for a lifetime. And the issues of the poor will take a lifetime of grace to deal with in this world. Keller does a great job of digging into a Biblical sense of justice. For most people justice works us to just what they think it should be. Justice in the Biblical sense is more then punishment for what's wrong, it's upholding the needs of the poor and powerless. Justice protects their rights and their value before God. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan man shows justice and kindness to the Jewish man in need. He provides Generous Justice. But Keller picks it up a notch, by pointing out, what if the Good Samaritan travels that road often and keeps finding Jewish men mugged, beaten, left for dead? What does he do then? Generous Justice would be that he works to change the systemic issues. Generous Justice is not simply how I respond, but how we respond to those in needs as individuals, congregations, and yes, in the political process as well. You may not always agree with Keller, but he will make you think and lay out the possible options to work through. One of my favourite stories Keller includes is about the Roman Emperor Julian, who was not a big fan of Christians. Yet Julian says about these Christians he despises that they take care of their poor and ours as well. That love, that Generous Justice in action, transformed the world for Christ. We need such a transformation of Generous Justice in our day. I highly recommend Generous Justice. It is more then a theological / theoretical book of what could be. Generous Justice is a theological / practical book of what by God's grace we can do as we empowered by God to serve the powerless with the power of God's love at work.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2012
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WDC
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Justice and Grace, God's desire for our lives
Format: Kindle
Tim Keller does another great job in writing a book that will be helpful for Pastors and laymen. He takes the issue of God's Justice and guides us through a discussion of what it justice means Biblically and how do we apply it today. There are many verses about justice and especially about helping the poor in the Old and New Testament. Many are in the Old Testament and people often dismiss them thinking that the Old Testament has been done away with and replaced with the New Testament. But the bottom line is this, the poor we will have with us always and how do we deal with them? How do we help them with their issues of hunger, lack of resources, lack of advocates standing up for them with the judicial system and society at large. What also do we do with the "year of jubilee" where the debts of the poor are forgiven and they are given a fresh start. What should we do with that today. Keller takes us through a discussion of the definition of Justice, why the Old Testament is still valid, what does Jesus say and how do we treat our neighbors. He reminds us that the Old Testament, specifically the nation of Israel, was a Theocracy style of government. So how do we in a democracy deal with the poor since it is a completely different style of government than a Theocracy. What is the point of justice? What should we do about standing in the gap for our neighbors who are poor, or do we ignore them and let the government deal with them through welfare? There are deep theological issues here and deep moral issues as well. How do you respond to the poor? How do you handle your resources? What do you do regarding Charity? Why do you act charitably? Keller also talks a good bit about how our young people are moving back into a culture of "volunteerism" and the benefits that has on society as well as on themselves. But the real issue comes down to the heart issue of why do they volunteer to help the poor. Wrapped in all of this is a discussion also about "God's Grace". Because some people feel that justice might just mean that we let people suffer in their poverty because they bring it on themselves. But the Bible is clear. Our task is to help the poor, the widow, the orphan, etc. These people are precious to God and thus should be precious to us. This is a quick read, but a very needed read for the "Western Church" today. You will be forced to look at the role of "Deacon" in the church and how that role was put together to serve the poor. You will be left with this question, how does my church stack up in regards to reaching the poor? How would God feel we have done in serving the poor and providing "justice" for them. Enjoy!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2010

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