From Parables to Power: Discovering a Biblical Hermeneutic for Community Organizing Through Jesus’ Radical Praxis

Abstract

This thesis, From Parables to Power: Discovering a Biblical Hermeneutic for Community Organizing, explores whether the leadership style of the historical Jesus can offer a biblically grounded framework that enhances the work of today’s social movements. Analyzing Jesus’ praxis and parables alongside contemporary leadership and social change scholarship, this study seeks to uncover a hermeneutic that enables meaningful transformation while remaining relevant to modern, increasingly secular movements for justice. As secularization trends deepen, social movements often face challenges integrating the presence and contributions of individuals whose commitments to justice are rooted in scriptural conviction. This thesis, therefore, proposes a pathway for harmonizing these commitments within broader activist frameworks, advocating for a model of leadership that is ethically resilient, inclusive, and adaptable to the needs of large-scale movements. Guided by the question, "Can a biblical hermeneutic based on Jesus’ leadership better equip today’s movements for justice to foster authentic change?" This study examines how faith-rooted perspectives can coexist with empirically embraced organizing principles to cultivate a more inclusive and enduring impact. Through a blend of theological analysis and case studies, this thesis presents an approach to community organizing that not only honors the transformative potential of scripture but also empowers activists with adaptable tools to navigate both spiritual and practical imperatives in the work of justice.