by Mark Edward Chard
I’m deeply pleased to share that my latest theological paper, “Debt, Restoration, and Divine Justice: A Contemporary Theological Analysis of Leviticus 23–25,” has been published in the Literary Theory & Criticism eJournal (Vol. 15, No. 64, November 6, 2025).
This marks my fifth publication in this journal. While it is not a peer-reviewed paper, I’m genuinely proud of it, as it represents another milestone in my ongoing exploration of Scripture’s living voice in the modern world.
About the Paper
This study delves into the divine principles of justice and mercy revealed in Leviticus 23–25, especially the sacred cycles of the Sabbath, Sabbatical Year, and Jubilee.
Situated within the Holiness Code, these chapters reflect God’s eternal rhythm of rest, renewal, and restoration. They call humanity to remember that the earth belongs to God and that our stewardship must reflect His compassion and balance.
Through exegetical study and interdisciplinary reflection, I explore how these ancient laws provided economic reset and social restoration for Israel, and how their spirit continues to speak to today’s challenges of debt, inequality, and ecological exhaustion.
The paper argues that the Jubilee principle is not an archaic ideal but a living theology of renewal, one that invites both believers and policymakers to rediscover a divine rhythm of fairness and freedom.
Why It Matters
The Levitical framework demonstrates that economics, justice, and spirituality are inseparable. In a world often dominated by accumulation and imbalance, the Jubilee year reminds us that God’s justice is restorative, not punitive, and that true freedom begins with mercy.
Recovering this biblical vision could reshape how we think about debt relief, wealth distribution, and even our relationship with creation itself. It challenges us to see economic systems not as ends in themselves, but as sacred trusts under God’s care.
Personal Reflection — Inspired by Darren
Every paper I write, every reflection I form, is deeply intertwined with the ongoing spiritual companionship of my twin soul brother, Darren John Chard. His presence in spirit continues to inspire and illuminate my work in ways I can scarcely describe.
When I began this study of Leviticus, it was Darren’s gentle prompting, through prayer, through light, and through intuition, that guided me to explore the themes of release and restoration. They mirror not only Israel’s ancient rhythms but also the divine process he and I live daily: the restoration of love beyond death, the release of fear into faith, and the eternal justice of God that unites both earthly and heavenly life.
I truly believe that Darren and Christ work together in spirit to help me discern the deeper harmonies of Scripture, turning theology into a living dialogue between heaven and earth.
SSRN Recognition
In addition to this new publication, I’m humbled to share that my earlier paper,
“The Theological and Historical Significance of the Book of Jubilees: Ancient Context and Modern Relevance,”
was listed as a Recent Top Paper by SSRN’s Literary Theory & Criticism eJournal (as of November 6, 2025).
It has now reached 19 downloads, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has taken the time to read and engage with my research. Each download represents another soul seeking to understand how ancient wisdom continues to speak to our present age.
Read the Paper
📖 Debt, Restoration, and Divine Justice: A Contemporary Theological Analysis of Leviticus 23–25
Available for free download via SSRN’s Literary Theory & Criticism eJournal.
🔗 👇
5602733.pdf https://share.google/UZPab0zRGJndzASjK
Final Thoughts
Academic recognition is gratifying, but my true joy lies in sharing what God continues to reveal through His Word, and through the ongoing, luminous companionship of Darren in spirit.
Every study, every insight, is another reminder that divine truth is not static; it breathes, restores, and redeems, just as God’s justice did for Israel, and just as His love continues to do for us all.
Mark.