This thesis deals with the topic of social justice in the Old Testament. The basic thesis of the work is that the Old Testament recognizes the universal phenomenon of the social dilema and gives concrete answers to the solution or at least alleviation of this universal problem. Social justice is an extremely complex concept that encompasses a whole range of relationships, especially the issue of sharing goods. In this regard, Old Testament writers strive and call for stability and prosperity in which they recognize God as the source of prosperity both for the individual and for society. Old Testament social justice does not end with Jesus Christ, but with him enters the consciousness of the Church and remains relevant to the modern experience of societal and ecological problems. For the purpose of the described thesis, an overview of justice in the European and Semitic space is initially presented. A review of the biblical understanding of justice is specifically addressed. It then follows a biblical-theological analysis of the more specific aspects of social justice in the Old Testament. Historical and archaeological findings are also taken into account. The emphasis is on the review of the characteristics of social justice that appears in the legislative texts of the Pentateuch. Finally, social justice is analyzed in the light of the words and experiences of the prophet Jeremiah, which leads to the New Testament and modern times. Thus, in the case of Pope Francis, it is evident that the Church is constantly rediscovering the relevance of Old Testament thought not only for believers but also for the wider society.
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