More on Defending the Others, Civil Rights, and Biblical Interpretations Through the Lens of My Latest College Assignment

I have mentioned before how I really love when  God confirms things.

I have been writing quite a bit lately about how our American culture affects our interpretations of the Bible and about how I believe these interpretations cause us to miss the point that the Bible makes very clear that we are to defend those in need and those discriminated against.

Well, this week's discussion board assignment for my Intro. to Human Services class asked me to research the ethical standards for the human services field and correspond those with Biblical teachings.  Regardless of how the human services field has become tainted, I believe the actual standards themselves reflect what  God has been leading me to in my personal studies.  Here is what I wrote for my assignment:

Jesus taught a Parable about caring for others, particularly those that cannot care for themselves. “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me'” (Matthew 25:37-40, New King James Version). 

This is perhaps the Scripture that guides the Christian human service professional.

This Passage epitomizes the ethical standards for the human services field. It is, however, far from the only one. The following are a few of those human services standards (quotes taken from Council for Standards in Human Service Education Adopted 1996) and corresponding Passages of Scripture:

1. “Human service professionals must respect the integrity and welfare of the client at all times. Each client is treated with respect, acceptance, and dignity” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., “Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals”).

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13, New King James Version).

2. “Human service professionals recognize and build on client strengths” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., “Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals”).

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are also doing” (I Thessalonians 5:11, New King James Version).

3. “Human service professionals act as advocates in addressing unmet client and community needs. Human service professionals provide a mechanism for identifying unmet client needs, calling attention to those needs, and assisting in planning and mobilizing to advocate for these needs at the local community level” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., “Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals”).

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17, New King James Version).

4. “Human service professionals advocate for the rights of all members of society, particularly those who are members of minorities and groups at which discriminating practices have historically been directed” and “Human services professionals provide services without discrimination or preference based on age, ethnicity, culture, race, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., “Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals”).

“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4, New King James Version). - A prayer to God for deliverance from oppression.

5. “Human service professionals are aware of their own cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values, recognizing the potential for impact on their relationship with others” (National Organization for Human Services, n.d., “Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals”).

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:1-5, New King James Version).

As this short but diverse list shows, the ethical standards that guide human services professionals coincide with Biblical mandates for Christians. In fact, these standards reinforce interpretations that are often not heard in traditional,conservative, western theology, but were important in the Jewish culture in which the Bible was composed. The Bible is full of references to treating others with respect, of being advocates for the poor and needy, and of sacrificing oneself to aid others.

References:

National Organization for Human Services (n.d.). Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals.