THE DEAN’S MESSAGE
It is my privilege to serve as Dean of Morehouse school of Religion and welcome all to our new website. We hope that it is informative, interactive and it provides snapshots of our activities and opportunities that are reflective of our school’s goals and aspirations. What follows is an overview of those goals and aspirations,
We believe that our churches are concerned with developing Christian partnerships with people of African descent wherever we are located in the global diaspora. Our message is clear; we believe that it is our duty to define global economic justice as the ethical imperative for the 21st century.
We define economic justice as the Word of Reconciliation. By that, we mean wealth and income equality. Wealth and income equality includes unbiased immigration, mass incarceration and economic reparations policies. We see these as related and necessary changes in order for people of African descent to achieve the Word of Reconciliation.
Furthermore, we believe that the Word of Reconciliation is supported by biblical mandates which are seen clearly in Old and New Testament passages and contexts, such as the books of Exodus and Luke. “The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, ‘We shall all be dead.’ So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:33-36). “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8).
In each biblical passage we see examples where the poor are provided economic restitution. We intend therefore, to encourage our seminarians to pursue passionately the Word of Reconciliation. We hope that you will be an encourager and join us in the awesome task of preparing men and women for 21st century ministry and our pursuit of achieving the Word of Reconciliation.
In His Name,
Joseph Evans
Dean of Morehouse School of Religion
