A Biblical Mandate for Advocacy on corruption and poverty

A global Biblical campaign on corruption and poverty orBiblical foundations for advocacy in the areas of corruption and poverty. Dr. Dion Forster

Three importantstories.

1. A global story:Why are we poor?

Philip’s story

hunger n.1. the discomfort, weakness, orpain caused by a prolonged lackof food.2. to have a strong or compellingdesire.

• Globally, 854 million people are undernourished.1• Annually Americans spend $558 billion on takeout food.2• And, $33 billion on weight loss products and diets.2

• A child dies every 5 seconds due to hunger related causes.1• Half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 per day.2• 1.6 billion people have no access to clean drinking water.2• Each day 29000 children die from preventable diseases.3

• Providing malaria prevention to the developing world would only cost $4.2 billion.1• $25 billion a year would be enough to give life saving medical services in low income countries.2• The cost of eradicating Global Poverty is only 1% of Global Income.3

Listing the challenges: The Millennium Development goals •Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger •Achieve universal primary education •Promote gender equality and empower women •Reduce child mortality •Improve maternal health •Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases •Ensure environmental sustainability •Develop a global partnership for development

“We will spare no effort to freeour fellow men, women andchildren from the abject anddehumanizing conditions ofextreme poverty, to which morethan a billion of them arecurrently subjected.”(Millennium Declaration Sept 2000)

We have the knowledge and the resources to make a change…hunger n.1. the discomfort,weakness, or paincaused by aprolonged lack offood.2. to have a strong orcompelling desire.

We have the knowledge and the resources to make a change… But, do we have the HUNGER?hunger n.1. the discomfort,weakness, or paincaused by aprolonged lack offood.2. to have a strong orcompelling desire.

2. A Biblical story:God’s economy.

God’s economy and the economic systems ofthe world.Economics:• Oikos (οἶκος) – household• Nomos (νόμος) – to manage

“Both religion and politics are concerned withhow we should organize societies. Yet thetendency for Christians has often been tobegin with the politics and work back- wardsto find religious rationale for our politicalbeliefs. As a result, most people read the Biblenot to challenge our deeply held beliefs, butto affirm the decisions weve already madewith our lives.”(Tim Suttle God’s Politics)

Which Jesus shapesour faith andmission?

Is this how you view theLord?

The challenge givento my Master ofTheology students:Read only the REDletters.

“When I give foodto the poor theycall me a saint.When I ask whythe poor have nofood they call me acommunist.”Dom HelderCamara

Unearthing the real JesusHistorical Pre- Pauline Synoptic Popular Apostolic Pauline Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord Prayer and justice require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humblyGod‟s „economy‟ with your God. (Micah 6.8)

But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice,and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness. (Isaiah 5.16)

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me toproclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, torelease the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4.18-19)

“Justification by faithleads to doing justice,and doing justice canmake many seek to bejustified by faith”Tim Keller (GenerousJustice p.140)

There can be nopersonalholiness withoutsocial holiness.(John Wesley –founder ofMethodism, socialactivist, revivalist)

"The chief political concern of the Scriptures isfor Gods wise and loving ordering of his worldto be operative through humans who willshare his priorities, especially his concern forthe poor, the weak and the vulnerable. Thisconcern was embodied by Jesus in hisinauguration of Gods kingdom through hispublic career and especially his self-givingdeath, which together set the pattern for aradically redefined notion of power."  — N.T. Wright, New Testament Scholar at University of St. Andrews

"The chief political concern of the Bible is toworship God truly."— Stanley Hauerwas, Theologian and ethicist at Duke Divinity School

"The chief political concern of the Bible is the restoration of Gods shalom on the entire world: human and nonhuman, animate or inanimate. That encompasses all aspects ofthe human polis and thus politics but also the entirety of creation so that nothing is left outside this primal political concern." — Brent Strawn, Old Testament Scholar, Candler School of Theology at Emory University

"I believe that the central political question isthe management of public power in order thatthere should be an economically viable life for all members of the community. Thus justice is front and center and some texts, especially in Deuteronomy, are for the distribution of wealth in order that all may be viable. Obviously such justice is marked by mercy, compassion and generosity. The purpose is to create a genuine neighborhood for all the neighbors.” — Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament Scholar, Columbia Theological Seminary

"Shalom -- the well-ordered flourishing thatGod desires for all of creation, and that brings God glory."— James K.A. Smith, Professor of Philosophyand Congregational ministry, Calvin College

"The vision of the city of God is the goal. Wework for it not by forcing it down from heaven to earth, but by treading in the footsteps of the crucified and resurrected Christ." — Miroslav Volf, Systematic Theology, Yale Divinity School

"Gods solidarity with the poor, oppressed, outcast and forgotten."— Brian McLaren, Author and theologian

“[W]e may well be coming to the end of the era of the sovereign nation-state as we have known it for the past three centuries. Economic, financial, and technical forces have created a global system that is far morepowerful than most existing states. The secular powers shaping human life are increasingly transnational If the Church is to speak thetruth to Caesar, it is these powers that must be more and more in our sights.”— Lesslie Newbigin, Truth to Tell: The Gospel as Public Truth p89

3. A new story:God’s story andour story.

ClaudeNikondeha’s story

The SAME mission in an everCHANGING world "The gospel must be constantly forwarded to a new address because the recipient is always changing his place of residence.” Helmuth Thielicke (German Theologian)

How do we do advocacy?

1. Have clear aims and objectives• What do you dream of?• What „wrong‟ do you want to change?• Is there a law, policy, group that is key?• What steps will get you there?• What can be achieved in the next 18 months, 3 years?• What risks are there for individuals and organisations? How could these be minimised?

2. Understand who you want assupporters (the pyramid of support)

3. Have activities to mobilizeevery level – be creative, don‟task too much or too little ofsupporters.

4. Build key relationships/understandwho to reach to have influence5. Have clear asks6. Communicate, tell stories, reportback

7. Link advocacy to practical action –adds credibility and understanding8. Assess/appraise – celebrate wins,be honest about failings

9. Be prepared to let the campaign goviral, work with others.10. Keep praying

A campaign that is:Prayerful PersisteProphetic nt ProfessionaPositive l

EXPOSED – Aglobal Christian Story

Why EXPOSED? EXPOSED is a global call to action against corruption and poverty. It is a response of the Christian Church inspired from the Bible and is committed to promote practical steps for ethical behaviour in business, government and theChurch. It aims to position Christians as advocatesof justice and transformation in the nations we are called to serve.

http://www.exposed2013.com

Corruption has a name. Poverty has a face.You have a voice.

“Do a little bit of good wherever youare; its those little bits of good puttogether that overwhelm the world”- Desmond Tutu

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A Biblical Mandate for Advocacy on corruption and poverty

by Dion Forster on Aug 03, 2012

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A Biblical Mandate for Advocacy on corruption and poverty Presentation Transcript