Life in All Its Fullness
July/August 1999 These words of Jesus embody the biblical picture of God's creative and redemptive love--an all-embracing love which includes all people. These words also sum up the biblical theme of concern for basic human rights.While the expression "human rights" may not be found in the Bible, its essential components--freedom, justice, and peace--are. Each is central to the Bible's message, and each is grounded in God's promises.
A world in which human relationships are marked by freedom, justice, and peace is at the heart of the Bible's prophetic vision. But the Bible also demonstrates that such conditions cannot thrive without human willingness and effort to safeguard such basic human rights and freedoms. This is most apparent in such examples as the right to equal and fair treatment before the law, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, protection from torture and slavery, and protection from the violation of our wholeness and integrity, and of our homes and families.
In this booklet a number of the foundational Scripture passages dealing with essential human rights have been collected into twelve categories. They can thus be used easily by groups or individuals for study, discussion, and meditation, or as a monthly focus in churches. Each of the . . . categories reflects the fact that we are all equally beneficiaries of God's gifts of creation and grace, and share a responsibility to lead ethical lives and work together for human rights and liberties for all. . . .
GOD HAS CREATED US ALL FREE AND EQUAL
By God's design all human beings are born free and equal in dignity, rights, and freedoms regardless of race, color, sex, language, creed, social status, or ethnic origin.
All Humans Are Created in the Image of God
All persons are created equal in God's image, and all share responsibility for God's creation.
"Then God said, 'And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small.' So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, blessed them, and said, 'Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food'--and it was done. God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning came--that was the sixth day" (Genesis 1:26-31).
The Rich and Poor Are Equal in the Eyes of God
"The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both" (Proverbs 22:2).
God Treats Everyone on the Same Basis
"Peter began to speak: 'I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. Those who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all'" (Acts 10:34-36).
There Is No Excuse for Mistreatment of the Foreigners Among You
The Lord told Moses:
"Do not mistreat foreigners who are living in your land. Treat them as you would an Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves. Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 19:33, 34).
In Christ, Human Differences No Longer Count
"It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised" (Galatians 3:26-29).
GOD HAS ENDOWED US ALL WITH REASON AND CONSCIENCE
By God's design all human beings are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood.
The Human Mind and Conscience Are the Gift of God
"The Lord gave us mind and conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves" (Proverbs 20:27).
Love Your Neighbor as You Love Yourself
"When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they came together, and one of them, a teacher of the Law, tried to trap him with a question. 'Teacher,' he asked, 'which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus answered, '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." The whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets depend on these two commandments'" (Matthew 22:34-40).
The Golden Rule: Setting the Example of Justice
Jesus said: "Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
"Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets" (Matthew 7:7-12).
LIFE, LIBERTY, AND SECURITY OF PERSON ARE GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS
All human beings have a God-given right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Relating to God and Other Humans: the Ten Commandments
In the Ten Commandments our essential responsibilities toward God and each other are summarized. These standards must be upheld if the world is to be a place where human life is highly valued and protected.
"God spoke, and these were his words: 'I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves.
"'Worship no god but me.
"'Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. But I show my love to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my laws.
"'Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the Lord your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.
"'Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me. On that day no one is to work--neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor the foreigners who live in your country. In six days I, the Lord, made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That is why I, the Lord, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.
"'Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you.
"'Do not commit murder.
"'Do not commit adultery.
"'Do not steal.
"'Do not accuse anyone falsely.
"'Do not desire another man's house; do not desire his wife, his slaves, his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that he owns'" (Exodus 20:1-17).
The Kind of Security of Person God Envisions for Humans
Isaiah's vision reveals God's purpose for community. The vision is of persons and societies building, planting, living, and working together in peace.
"The Lord says, 'I am making a new earth and new heavens. The events of the past will be completely forgotten. Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create. The new Jerusalem I make will be full of joy, and her people will be happy. I myself will be filled with joy because of Jerusalem and her people. There will be no weeping there, no calling for help. Babies will no longer die in infancy, and all people will live out their life span. Those who live to be a hundred will be considered young. To die before that would be a sign that I had punished them. People will build houses and get to live in them--they will not be used by someone else. They will plant vineyards and enjoy the wine--it will not be drunk by others. Like trees, my people will live long lives. They will fully enjoy the things that they have worked for. The work they do will be successful, and their children will not meet with disaster. I will bless them and their descendants for all time to come. Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers'" (Isaiah 65:17 24).
The Good News of Deliverance: Liberty and Justice for All
"Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.'
"Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All the people in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on him, as he said to them, 'This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read'" (Luke 4:16 21).
GOD WARNS AGAINST ENSLAVEMENT, INHUMANITY, AND OPPRESSION
Human beings created in the image of God are not to be held in slavery nor subjected to torture or inhuman treatment.
The Principle of Freedom
Moses said: "If slaves run away from their owners and come to you for protection, do not send them back. They may live in any of your towns that they choose, and you are not to treat them harshly" (Deuteronomy 23:15, 16).
Unprotected People Are Not to Be Deprived of Their Rights
Moses said: "Do not deprive foreigners and orphans of their rights; and do not take a widow's garment as security for a loan. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God set you free; that is why I have given you this command" (Deuteronomy 24:17, 18).
LEGAL PROTECTION AND ASYLUM ARE PART OF THE BIBLE'S VIEW OF JUSTICE
Since all are equally God's creatures and objects of God's love, all have the right to be recognized as persons before the law, and to enjoy its equal protection. None should be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention, and all should be entitled to fair public hearings, the presumption of innocence, and asylum from persecution.
Judges and Officials Are to Be Fair and Impartial
Moses said: "Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the Lord your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially. They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions. Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there" (Deuteronomy 16:18-20).
All Humans Have a Responsibility for Justice and Fairness
The Lord commanded Moses to tell the Israelites:
"Do not spread false rumors, and do not help a guilty person by giving false testimony. Do not follow the majority when they do wrong or when they give testimony that perverts justice. Do not show partiality to a poor person at his trial.
"If you happen to see your enemy's cow or donkey running loose, take it back to him. If his donkey has fallen under its load, help him get the donkey to its feet again; don't just walk off.
"Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court. Do not make false accusations, and do not put an innocent person to death, for I will condemn anyone who does such an evil thing. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.
"Do not mistreat a foreigner; you know how it feels to be a foreigner, because you were foreigners in Egypt" (Exodus 23:1-9).
God Calls Us to Defend the Rights of the Poor and Rescue Them
"God presides in the heavenly council; in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision: 'You must stop judging unjustly; you must no longer be partial to the wicked! Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans; be fair to the needy and the helpless. Rescue them from the power of evil people'" (Psalm 82:1-4).
GOD'S WORD IS THE BASIS FOR THE RIGHTS OF FREEDOM OF OPINION, CONSCIENCE, AND RELIGION
All human beings have the right to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of conscience and dissent, freedom of religion, and freedom to assemble peaceably.
Peter and John Persist in Speaking Boldly and Freely for God
After Jesus' ascension, Peter and John were accustomed to go to the Jerusalem Temple to speak publicly of Jesus. One day they healed a lame man. As a result they were brought before the local authorities who were outraged by their public witness to the crowds. In the face of jailing and intimidation these apostles stood firm for their freedom to express their faith in obedience to their God and conscience.
"The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus. But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John. So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves. 'What shall we do with these men?' they asked. 'Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.'
"So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, 'You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight--to obey you or to obey God. For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.' So the Council warned them even more strongly and then set them free. They saw that it was impossible to punish them, because the people were all praising God for what had happened. The man on whom this miracle of healing had been performed was over forty years old" (Acts 4:13-22).
A Powerful Example of Dissent Under Conscience
The prophet Amos came to the royal sanctuary at Bethel to speak the word of God. He spoke powerfully against a corrupt and unjust society in which the wealthy were willing to sell the poor for a pair of sandals. Though ordered to cease and get out, Amos fearlessly claimed the right to dissent and to proclaim God's fundamental opposition to injustice.
"Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, then sent a report to King Jeroboam of Israel: 'Amos is plotting against you among the people. His speeches will destroy the country. This is what he says: "Jeroboam will die in battle, and the people of Israel will be taken away from their land into exile."'
"Amaziah then said to Amos, "That's enough, prophet! Go on back to Judah and do your preaching there. Let them pay you for it. Don't prophesy here at Bethel any more. This is the king's place of worship, the national temple.'
"Amos answered, 'I am not the kind of prophet who prophesies for pay. I am a herdsman, and I take care of fig trees. But the Lord took me from my work as a shepherd and ordered me to come and prophesy to his people Israel. So now listen to what the Lord says. You tell me to stop prophesying, to stop raving against the people of Israel. And so, Amaziah, the Lord says to you, "Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your children will be killed in war. Your land will be divided up and given to others, and you yourself will die in a heathen country. And the people of Israel will certainly be taken away from their own land into exile."'" (Amos 7:10-17).
GOD'S WORD SETS STANDARDS FOR WORK, WAGES, AND RECREATIVE REST
All human beings should have the right to some form of work, an adequate wage, some form of social security and protection against unemployment, and the benefits of holidays and rest.
The Call and Obligation to Work Is Part of Being Human
"Our friends, we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep away from all believers who are living a lazy life and who do not follow the instructions that we gave them. You yourselves know very well that you should do just what we did. We were not lazy when we were with you. We did not accept anyone's support without paying for it. Instead, we worked and toiled; we kept working day and night so as not to be an expense to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to demand our support; we did it to be an example for you to follow. While we were with you, we used to tell you, 'Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.'
"We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people's business" (2 Thessalonians 3:6-11).
Workers Should Be Paid Fairly for Work Done
This chapter of Deuteronomy addresses many different but specific legal situations, some of which have to do with human rights concerns. In two instances these are laws ensuring the basic right of a person, regardless of social status, to earn a living. No one's means of livelihood should be jeopardized, and the poor are not to be exploited.
Moses said: "When you lend someone something, you are not to take as security his millstones used for grinding his grain. This would take away the family's means of preparing food to stay alive. . . .
"Do not cheat poor and needy hired servants, whether they are Israelites or foreigners living in one of your towns. Each day before sunset pay them for that day's work; they need the money and have counted on getting it. If you do not pay them, they will cry out against you to the Lord, and you will be guilty of sin" (Deuteronomy 24:6-15).
The Early Christians Shared Their Belongings to Help the Poor
"Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved" (Acts 2:43-47).
The Ethic of Holy Living: Caring for the Well-Being of All People
"The Lord told Moses to say to the community of Israel, 'Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy. . . . "'When you harvest your fields, do not cut the grain at the edges of the fields, and do not go back to cut the heads of grain that were left. Do not go back through your vineyard to gather the grapes that were missed or to pick up the grapes that have fallen; leave them for poor people and foreigners. I am the Lord your God.
"'Do not steal or cheat or lie. Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it; that brings disgrace on my name. I am the Lord your God.
"'Do not rob or take advantage of anyone. Do not hold back the wages of someone you have hired, not even for one night. Do not curse the deaf or put something in front of the blind so as to make them stumble over it. Obey me; I am the Lord your God.
"'Be honest and just when you make decisions in legal cases; do not show favoritism to the poor or fear the rich. Do not spread lies about anyone, and when someone is on trial for his life, speak out if your testimony can help him. I am the Lord.
"'Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of them. Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord'" (Leviticus 19:1, 2, 9-18).
*Bible texts cited here are from the Good News Bible--Old Testament: Copyright American Bible Society 1976; New Testament: Copyright 1966, 1971, 1976.