I struggle with an idea I learned at church—actually I struggle with a number of church-ideas, but one in particular gives me unending trouble: the integration of love and justice. In religious circles, the notion of divine love almost always denotes unconditional love. Justice means that people are held responsible for their choices and serve consequences appropriately. So how exactly does one balance between absolute love and absolute justice? Is it possible to truly fuse the two into one? How can a God be all-loving (unconditionally) and all-just simultaneously? It seems like most Christians (whether we admit it or not) tend to emphasize one over the other in how they view God and/or in their approach to everyday circumstances. Or at least we will use justice in some cases, while embracing love in another cases, still keeping them separate.
In light of this personal conversation, I received a letter the other day from an unusual character. In this letter, all of the names and locations have been changed, and any information that would break confidence has been left out.
To: The church family,
I hope and pray that this letter finds you all in the best of spirit and health, as for me I am dong and feeling great. My name is Jay and I am an inmate at a regional prison for charges of murder in the first degree. I am a born again Christian and am presently looking for a outside Christian family who can help me further my Christian understanding and identity. I am from this area, born and raised, although I am no longer a member of any church. I no longer write family members because I guess they disowned me. I used to write all the time, but I stopped because they did not write in return and I just could not afford to keep writing. That is one of the reasons I write this letter.
I show Christ’s love for mankind, and I myself as a Christian only walk out on faith with my dealings with fellow inmates. I started to think that Christians on the outside world forget about Christians who are incarcerated or locked up. So I have prayed and asked God to bless me with a Christian family on the outside, and somehow someway I found your address. I decided to move out on faith being as though we are all apart of the body of Christ. No matter what I love Jesus, and this letter is not about how much money you can send me. It’s about whether you and the church are willing to accept a fellow Christian in your hearts as your own. Sometimes besides my Lord’s love, I don’t even remember how it feels to be loved or wanted.
Everyday inside is a battle for survival. I live and die for Christ alone. So no matter what I must endure for my Lord, I am willing. The beginning of 2012 is my first parole hearing—if it is the Lord’s will I will be released. By the end of next year I will be receiving a degree in theology and biblical studies. I will close for now, with all my love.
Love,
Jay
I find this letter intriguing for a number of reasons, but primarily because I am left to my own judgment to answer the questions that the letter failed to address. Hence, the possibilities are endless. Jay could be innocent or guilty, truthful or deceptive, genuine or phony, spirit-craving or money-craving, changed or unchanged, remorseful or indifferent, Christian or non-Christian, well-intentioned or ill-intentioned. I simply don’t know—I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I still don’t know. It’s absolutely necessary to show compassion and generosity in following Christ, but it is not realistic or right to knowingly allow yourself to be taken advantage of—leading to wastefulness and a perpetuation of a harmful lifestyle—or to put yourself in a position of danger.
It’s a tough call.
I am not going to pretend to have the answer to my questions by any means, nor will I try to explain how love and justice are reconciled in the Divine Reality—such talk is futile. But I will offer a personal thought: that humility is essential. For instance, what happens if I read the letter above and come to the conclusion that Jay’s innocence or guilt simply doesn’t matter—assuming neither—and instead coming to the determination that the guilty and the innocent, you, me, and Jay all need progress? What would that mean? This humility requires that I say to myself: “At our inner cores, Jay and I need exactly the same thing—to find restoration, to find the ability to choose the good within our nature over the bad within our nature.” So often in dealing with people like Jay or a homeless person, for instance, we treat ourselves as the ones who have our lives together and everything figured out—we see ourselves as superior to them. Instead, if we believe that the need for personal progress is the common link binding all humanity, then we can begin melting together unconditional love and its components—grace, forgiveness, mercy—with absolute justice and all its components—responsibility, accountability, order.
All to say: perhaps instead of spending our time determining who gets what dose of love and what dose of justice, we can rather devote our lives toward the simple betterment of all persons, including Jay and including ourselves.
6 responses so far ↓
John Fellows // June 26, 2009 at 9:39 pm |
Before I address the questions you asked I’d like to call your mind to one scripture to help differentiate between altering opinions in your own mind concerning the stand to take on one (assumed) brother in the Lord who has committed a heinous crime against both God and Humanity.
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.
When a christian looks at themselves as knowing more than someone else or as being “better” than someone else, the natural human response is to criticize or put down that individual as a lesser being. The bible, however, instructs us to bear with that person [Eph 4:2, Col 3:12-13] in their weakness. As a qualifying scripture, we go to the next verse, in which we are commanded not only to bear with them in their weakness, but also to please them – with the condition of leading to their edification in Christ. [Heb 10:24, Gal 5:13, Gal 6:2, Eph 4:32, Col 3:13 etc].
Amen for your response.
On the condition of love vs justice (I prefer Judgement, as it comes off more offensive to Christians) I am thrilled that you would even think to ask the question in writing. Most christians at one point or another will ask it, but will push it aside as something they simply don’t or wont understand.
In order to understand the seeming paradox (of which I assure you, there isn’t one) of love vs Judgement we must have an understanding of the Righteousness of God. God is so righteous, that He wont even do the Devil wrong. God is consumed in His righteousness – His righteousness defines him.
From this understanding, we must follow the train of thought through to our destination. I don’t have time to cover the doctrines of our being chosen in Him before the foundation of the world [Eph 1:4] and that gave us the right to be purchased back by Christ [1 Cor 6:20, 1 Cor 7:23] and that he only gives aid to Christians and not to angels [Heb 2:16].
Where is gets tricky to some is to admit Christians responsibility, and many people, believers I am speaking of, tend to skip over scriptures such as [1 Cor 6:9-10, 1 Cor 15:50, Gal 5:21] and label them as talking directly to unbelievers. The bible is a spiritual book written to believers, not to the unbeliever. Notice the language of “inherit” and “Kingdom of God”. Inheritance does not note position in a family, as you are a son or daughter wether or not you receive and inheritance. It does however note a relationship with the Father. Read Ephesians 1:3-14 for a brief description of what every Christian was given in Christ. The new birth is the coming into the family of God [Eph 3:15], but the receiving of the inheritance is an entirely different matter [2 Thess 1:5].
2Th 1:5 [which is] manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
The bible speaks to believers and says that they would be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which we suffer. We know this is not talking about our salvation by grace as a free gift, so what is it talking of? We could never be worthy for salvation in eternity, but we do need to obey in order to obtain our inheritance in Christ.
Many mainstream believers don’t agree with this, which is unfortunate. God, as discussed before, is so righteous, he will not let our sin go unpunished. This does not take away from forgiveness of sin, but the bible warns very strictly
Hbr 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Even Christ had to learn obedience.
The important thing to note however, is our sin does not affect our relationship to God in the sense that we are still his Children no matter what sin we commit. We will never loose that. We can and will loose our inheritance however, based on how we live in this life.
What is our inheritance? Christ is coming back to set up His Kingdom on this earth for a thousand years, and he is calling all his saints to participate with Him. Sadly, many Christians will be sorely disappointed when they will not be allowed to be with him, but will be cast into outer darkness for the duration of his rule.
After which comes the New Jerusalem, the city, the bride, and eternity.
I will finish with this.
Revelation 20 closely.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then [I saw] the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received [his] mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a [fn] thousand years. Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.
And then shortly after.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, [fn] and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Rev 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Rev 20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [fn] Rev 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
We can rest at the Second Judgement because our names are written in the Book of Life, no matter how we sin.
However our sin can keep us from inheriting the Kingdom, notice previous scriptures on inheritance, and ruling and reigning with Christ for a thousand years.
Its a long explination, and I could only write a little, but I hope that this helps to explain that no sin will ever go unpunished, because God is not unrighteous, and that Judgement is coming and that believers ought to be ready for it.
I will close with this.
1Pe 4:17 For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if [it begins] with us first, what will [be] the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
God Bless!
- J
samdhill // June 29, 2009 at 9:49 pm |
John, thanks so much for the insight and putting the questions raised by the inmate’s letter into a biblical context. I have a couple thoughts in reaction to your insight, the latter of which is probably more pertinent than the first, narrower question regarding the worldview you described above. Although I don’t hold the same worldview and theology as you, I will pretend like I do for the sake of conversation and raise a question: you seem to describe God as the epitome of righteousness—you say there is no way He can be unrighteous in any way, shape, or form, and His action is limited only to that which is righteous. Moreover, you assume that for God to withhold punishment for sin is unrighteous in itself; hence all sin goes punished (your words: ‘no sin will ever go unpunished’) in order for God to maintain his righteousness. You stated that this is simply a logical deduction. My question: Instead of determining God’s behavior/nature by the quality of righteousness, wouldn’t it be more consistent to define righteousness itself by the nature of God? In other words, God’s behavior/nature can never be unrighteous because God’s behavior/nature defines righteousness itself. Which “logically” means that God can do whatever He wants to do and he is always “righteous” simply by virtue of his divine sovereignty. In this way God could give all people damnation or all people eternal life and either would be “righteous.”
To be clear, I am toying with a theology that I do not hold but that may provide new insight for yours.
All to say, your explication doesn’t seem to allow for much in the way of unconditional love—unless of course, part of your definition of “unconditional love” is damnation, punishment, etc for not believing or acting a certain way. I’m still not convinced that there is no conflict between love and justice in your worldview—you seem to be strongly on the side of justice, or judgment.
My other question—and I think more relevant thought—is broader. The questions raised in the post are not necessarily theological or spiritual questions, but perhaps better defined as ethical questions, pertaining to human behavior. The true question is not “how does God reconcile love and justice?”—despite our wildest efforts and vigorous Bible studying, such a question will never be answered but only speculated. Hence, the more pertinent question may be: how do we reconcile love and justice in our daily lives? And moreover, how would a non-Christian, non-spiritualist, non-Protestant, or non-Calvinist answer these ethical questions without the help of your above Bible navigation? Your answer may suffice for a select sect of Christians more concerned about theology; but what about anyone outside that sect that’s more concerned with the ethical, societal dilemma?
John Fellows // July 1, 2009 at 6:42 pm |
It’s very obvious that you are much more learned than me, as you used words that I had to go to the dictionary over and over to understand!
I will admit, however, that I used 39 scriptures to back up my point of view, of which in your response you used nothing but human reasoning with no reference in the scripture whatsoever.
In looking at a matter, it is of utmost importance that the scripture remain absolutely true. I would be more than willing to discuss the matter (as I really enjoy doing!) with a basis of scripture, but I wont continue to discuss scripture with someone who can’t or wont (I don’t know which) respond back with scriptures that contradict my thinking.
If its based on seminary understanding rather than scriptural fact, I can’t possibly argue with it, because all I can do is say “this thinking is wrong based out of the scripture.”
I would love to continue this conversation, however, please offer me scriptural proof of your point of view, other wise I will see it as nothing more than your opinion on a matter, not based in scripture, and therefor invalid.
Please remember that discourse is not about WHO is right, but WHAT is right. If you can prove me wrong from the scripture, I will be more than willing to change my point of view, as I will only have grown closer to Christ as a person, and increased in understanding of the scripture.
Please do not take this as a personal attack.
God bless and may peace abound!
-J
Righteous Believing » Blog Archive » Love of God in forgiveness meets Judgement of God’s Righteousness // July 1, 2009 at 6:47 pm |
[...] http://youngtraveler.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/a-challenging-letter/#comment-162 [...]
samdhill // July 3, 2009 at 1:29 am |
Thanks for your reply, John, and I understand your concerns. I’d like to say, firstly, that I am not trying to persuade you from your point of view to mine. In fact, the point in my writing this post was to point out how enigmatic the love and justice relationship is to me—I don’t claim to have answers, only questions and speculation. I just thought my response to you might provide you with some food for thought that could sharpen your point of view.
To respond to the rest of your reply: it’s important to note our differences. I don’t employ a fundamentalist, literalist reading of the Bible. I tend to read scripture for its value within its historical and social context, while remembering that the writers of scripture, though well intentioned and spiritual people, had their flaws and interwove their own opinions, agendas, and experiences into their writing. I believe it’s a gross misreading of scripture to suggest that the entire document presents one fluid point of view about God and the world—we find numerous social and theological perspectives (i.e. Levitical vs. Mosaic, priestly vs. kingly, inclusiveness vs. exclusiveness, law vs. grace, et cetera). My point is simple: the Bible, in my view, does not present a single, absolute theology, and our understanding of scripture is totally contingent on our personal interpretations, of which there are a countless number.
Consequently, scripture is only one resource that informs my theology. Others include life observation/experience, social movements, modern science, social history, psychology, ethical studies, personal relationships, observance of nature, and private meditation. As a Christian, I feel no responsibility to worship or deify a book that was written and compiled by primitive people thousands of years ago. In fact, such extremes could possibly be considered idolatry—or “bibliolatry,” as a favorite professor of mine likes to call it.
But your concern illustrates the meaning behind my response and question—which I hope you will address. Jay’s letter presents basic ethical questions pertaining to grace, punishment, forgiveness, mercy, restoration, et cetera that must be answered in some way by everyone—Christian and non-Christian. How is a person who does not accept the Bible as a literal, divinely-inerrant text supposed to answer these questions balance love and justice? As I said before, your answer will simply not suffice for one who does not hold the same assumptions about the Bible as you.
Good thoughts!
John Fellows // July 4, 2009 at 1:54 pm |
Well, I guess I’ll hang the hat then. Outside of the wisdom that the scripture offers, I am just your average common Jack. I’ve never been to seminary, and I don’t have a degree in apologetics. If you don’t believe the scripture as absolute, then anything I have to say (which will be based out of the scripture) will have no value to you, so you see it’s quite pointless.
However, my concern for you is that you have stated that you have the ability to choose within the scriptures what is right and wrong, as you have stated that you believe the bible is nothing more than a resource, and it’s full of man’s opinion and errors. I cringed when I read that I think!
My questioning would then be thus. Do you believe your need for a savior? If the bible is err, then you can’t use the bible to say you do. Do you believe in Jesus, the Christ, who came to this earth, and bore your sin whilst he died on the cross? If you do, you can’t get your believe from the scripture, as it is not true. And you can’t pick and choose what you think is true. You as a person cannot pick and choose what you want to believe – otherwise there is no truth, and you cloak yourself in an illusion of what you want to be true.
Frankly, to assume any of us know more than Paul or Peter, and that we can sit and judge what they say as right or wrong is a very lofty stance. To think you know more than is to think you are more learned and in essence, better than on a spiritual, intellectual, or emotional plain. Would you be so bold to say you know more than Paul did? Or that you are better than Peter?
Perhaps it is just my unlearned-ness, but I would give my right arm to know half of what Paul knew, and my other arm to be just like Peter. (I am only naming these as they are the Giants of the new testament, not ignoring John, James or the other apostles.)
You said that the bible is merely one resource which informs your theology – how can you have theology outside the scripture? If theology can be defined by the study of the nature of God and religious belief, where are you getting your information? You went on to list a list of things that change constantly as life goes on – none of the things you listed are inherently solid. Therefor you have made it impossible for yourself to ever come to a solid truth.
You also said the bible doesn’t present a single absolute theology. Personally, and obviously, I disagree with this, but the basis of my disagreement is out of the scripture, so to you, is invalid.
You also said that my answer just simply wont suffice because the only answer I can give to your questions is out of the scripture, and since you don’t worship and deify the scriptures, which I do as you said, any answer I give you out of the scriptures you can’t accept.
I suppose then I would have to tell you my life story, and how I got an understanding whilst looking at a tree a couple years ago, and how science prooves a certain issue before you would see the reason in what I say. Unfortunately I can’t! If you proove to me the bible’s falseness, then unfortunately I would have to call off the dogs and go back to before I was in Christ. The scripture is all I have, and I don’t feel inferior, nor apologetic that God’s revelation of himself to man is what I believe to be (fundamentalist as I am, as you called me) sufficient.
Therefor you see, there is not much I can say! You’ve backed me in a corner! You said in one response that you weren’t really looking for an answer, just stating your questions and struggles. And since you’ve told me that I am not allowed to use the bible to proove a point (as you don’t believe in the bible) then I can’t help you, or even attempt to help you. As I have stated, I stand on the infallibility of the scriptures, and outside of that you will find me quite unmatchable to your intellectual genius.
However, to my defense, I know that intellectualness is worth nothing in the age that is to come, so therefor I don’t concern myself with it. And I can proove that out of the scriptures, but you wouldn’t believe me because it came out of the bible!
My belief system comes out of scripture, and therefor based on an unchangeable solid source. Your belief system is based on constantly changing sources, such as science, experience and observation and meditation, therefor, unfortunately, you will never know what you believe, and you will never come to the knowledge of absolute truth because your system from which you obtain your belief constantly changes.
I do want to say this though, so you know I am not ignoring you. You said “But your concern illustrates the meaning behind my response and question—which I hope you will address.” I’m not sure what that meant, so I kind of shot in the dark in hopes that I could answer it for you.
So to conclude, I’m just a poor country feller who grew up studying the bible because I was forced to – if you don’t believe the scripture, there’s not much we can discourse about because you don’t believe in my source, nor do I believe that due to their evolving natures, your sources don’t provide enough solid fact to base a belief structure off of.
I do hope we can agree that Jesus is Lord, born of a virgin Mary, carried your sin to the cross where he died for you, and was raised on the third day and provided atonement for you, and gave you access to the Father and the ability to experience eternal life. I’m not sure, if you do believe in these things, where you came to your belief if not out of the Holy Scriptures, but if we can agree here, at least we can be assured of your eternal destination.
I am always saddened when someone tells me they don’t believe the bible is true, however I understand that some men’s learning can drive them to that conclusion, because all truth to them must be based off of fact. And if something cannot be touched, handled, observed, etc then we cannot understand nor believe it. I would like to close with two scriptures (please forgive me!)…
The story of doubting Thomas..
Jhn 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.
And..
Hbr 11:3 Through faith we understand…
God Bless!
- J