Lisa Sharon Harper, a black evangelical, has written a masterful book on the biblical teaching regarding shalom in the context of God's creation and the Fall. She emphasizes dominion as stewardship before the Fall and dominion as sin/oppression after the Fall.
"Shalom is when the image of God is recognized, protected and cultivated in every single human being. . . . the restoration God desires for every broken relationship" personal, family, community and nation.
Harper often interweaves and illustrates these biblical teachings with her own experiences as a black citizen in America and with the larger black experience in America. Harper thinks like a sociologist, something few Americans do. She emphasizes community and connections and relationships.
After reading the utter tragedy of continuing American oppression in The New Jim Crow, The Very Good Gospel provides the Biblical basis for a badly needed positive alternative.
Harper provides a fresh and deep interpretation of the Scriptures. This is one of my top 10 books.
A suggestion for Harper or someone else: Follow up with another book on justice titled Rejusticizing the NT. Nicholas Wolterstorff declares that English translators and theologians have "dejusticized" the English NT. Steven Voth, a professional bible translator, states that the KJV has zero references to justice; the NIV only 16. Whereas Spanish, French and Latin translations have around 100 references to justice. If a person rejusticizes the Sermon on the Mount, it takes on a much different meaning.
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