This is part of an interfaith blog dialogue on various topics occurring between the Protestant Christian perspective of this blog, a person writing from a Buddhist perspective, and a person writing from a Pagan perspective. The topic for this discussion is: What role does justice play in the universe?
Have you ever spent much time observing toddlers and children interacting with one another? Over this past week I have had many such opportunities as we have gathered with extended family for our Christmas celebrations. One thing that you will almost inevitably face if you are responsible for keeping the peace between warring tribes of children is one of the most common statements in the world: "That's not fair!" If you are comfortable gambling you could win quite a bit on a wager that bet that statement would be made at least once ever 10 minutes between children who are playing. The question of course is, what do they really mean by that statement.
No doubt children when they claim something is not fair are saying more than "that did not turn out how I wanted it to" or "I am displeased with that outcome." They are claiming, without even understanding at all what they are saying, that by some objective standard their position is in the right and their friend or cousin is in the wrong. They are claiming, with out the sophistication to say so, that there has been some kind of crime against Justice by the fact that the other child swiped the toy they were playing with out of their hands. They want to see Justice fulfilled though they are too young to know for what they are actually asking.
We can all readily see injustice in the world. The wealthy person who uses their wealth to oppress others and gain more wealth. The court case that let a person who was obviously guilty avoid punishment (and no, I have no specific case in mind, but I am sure there are a billion from which to pick). A person who seems to have a ridiculous string of "bad luck" that damages every aspect of their life and relationships. Yes, it is very easy to see injustice in the world, what is very difficult is to admit the injustice we do to others. Though, in fairness to ourselves, I would guess in our moments of honesty we can even see that we ourselves at times are not fair towards others.
Atheist philosophers often use the concept of injustice to raise a specter of doubt upon the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God. But, Christian philosophers actually began working on this question long before the atheist's did, and in fact the biblical writers actually hint that the fact of injustice in the world may be a compelling argument for the existence of that very God the atheist's question. Let me briefly trace that argument [for a full logical defense of this position, read C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity]:
Have you ever spent much time observing toddlers and children interacting with one another? Over this past week I have had many such opportunities as we have gathered with extended family for our Christmas celebrations. One thing that you will almost inevitably face if you are responsible for keeping the peace between warring tribes of children is one of the most common statements in the world: "That's not fair!" If you are comfortable gambling you could win quite a bit on a wager that bet that statement would be made at least once ever 10 minutes between children who are playing. The question of course is, what do they really mean by that statement.
No doubt children when they claim something is not fair are saying more than "that did not turn out how I wanted it to" or "I am displeased with that outcome." They are claiming, without even understanding at all what they are saying, that by some objective standard their position is in the right and their friend or cousin is in the wrong. They are claiming, with out the sophistication to say so, that there has been some kind of crime against Justice by the fact that the other child swiped the toy they were playing with out of their hands. They want to see Justice fulfilled though they are too young to know for what they are actually asking.
We can all readily see injustice in the world. The wealthy person who uses their wealth to oppress others and gain more wealth. The court case that let a person who was obviously guilty avoid punishment (and no, I have no specific case in mind, but I am sure there are a billion from which to pick). A person who seems to have a ridiculous string of "bad luck" that damages every aspect of their life and relationships. Yes, it is very easy to see injustice in the world, what is very difficult is to admit the injustice we do to others. Though, in fairness to ourselves, I would guess in our moments of honesty we can even see that we ourselves at times are not fair towards others.
Atheist philosophers often use the concept of injustice to raise a specter of doubt upon the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God. But, Christian philosophers actually began working on this question long before the atheist's did, and in fact the biblical writers actually hint that the fact of injustice in the world may be a compelling argument for the existence of that very God the atheist's question. Let me briefly trace that argument [for a full logical defense of this position, read C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity]:
There is simply no clear reason in a purely Darwinian world why the concept of justice would even arise at all. Natural selection by its very definition insists that "might makes right." Social constructs must come from societies. Societies are run by those in power. Why would those in power construct a natural check on their own power? Indeed toddlers amazingly know how to challenge the justice of their parents long before parents do much in teaching them what justice involves. So if nature does not give us a concept of justice and other people cannot directly and entirely support this concept of justice where does it come from? What or indeed Who would have the authority to define what justice is by the sheer fact of His character? The answer that Christian philosophers give is:"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, King of the nations!" [NIV Revelation 15:3b]
We may be able to ask questions about God's justice, but ultimately if He were not just there simply would be not adequate philosophical root for that concept. Indeed, By attempting to stain God's justice through atheist philosophy, we burn the bridge we are walking upon. In the end we remove the only grounds we have for expecting justice.
Ultimately, Christians have three separate simultaneous perspectives on justice. First, Justice was ultimately fulfilled upon Jesus on the cross, so that those who trust in him are "justified." Second, we strive by the power of the Holy Spirit to live as justly as we can in this world. Third, we look forward to the coming Kingdom, when God will fulfill the promise that Justice makes through the enactment of judgment.
