"...that means that even our best understandings of justice, let alone our application of the same in our affairs will always have the twist of self-serving."
All the more reason our denominational employees should use caution when declaring that they KNOW that climate change is happening, and that it is an issue of "justice," and that they furthermore KNOW the correct course of action to take, eh?
Or that they KNOW that a thousand page tax & budget bill is also an "injustice," because they KNOW it will have a detrimental effect on the poor?
Not only are they using the wrong definition of "justice," they are claiming certainty where they clearly cannot have it.
I did not miss your point, Roger. It's just that you and I have a completely different understanding of Scripture. I read Scripture and see that justice WAS met in the divine sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Not justice from my perspective (God knows I do not want Him to render justice to ME...for I do not want to get what I deserve from God). But rather, justice from His perspective was done.
Thus this definition of "justice" SUCCEEDS: "People getting what they deserve, whether good or bad." Thank God I do not receive justice from Him, but rather mercy.
I admit my fingers paused for long time after describing "wisdom" as "common sense." I was going for brevity and ease of understanding, and probably lost accuracy in the process.
I like your suggestion of "the essence of the knowledge and character of God."
The 9th Commandment commands us to avoid bearing false witness against out neighbor.
Unless we are able to read the internal motivations of people (i.e. we're mind readers), or the person has explicitly stated their internal motivations, isn't it bearing false witness against them to say they are motivated by fear and hate?
Wouldn't it be better to take them at their word: that they are motivated by faithfulness to Scripture, concern for the integrity of God's design for Family, and love of people who are lost in sinfulness and headed to destruction?
Posted in: How Do You Define "Justice"?
"...that means that even our best understandings of justice, let alone our application of the same in our affairs will always have the twist of self-serving."
All the more reason our denominational employees should use caution when declaring that they KNOW that climate change is happening, and that it is an issue of "justice," and that they furthermore KNOW the correct course of action to take, eh?
Or that they KNOW that a thousand page tax & budget bill is also an "injustice," because they KNOW it will have a detrimental effect on the poor?
Not only are they using the wrong definition of "justice," they are claiming certainty where they clearly cannot have it.
Posted in: How Do You Define "Justice"?
Ah, but others ARE saying they are the same thing. That was the point of my article.
Posted in: How Do You Define "Justice"?
I did not miss your point, Roger. It's just that you and I have a completely different understanding of Scripture. I read Scripture and see that justice WAS met in the divine sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Not justice from my perspective (God knows I do not want Him to render justice to ME...for I do not want to get what I deserve from God). But rather, justice from His perspective was done.
Thus this definition of "justice" SUCCEEDS: "People getting what they deserve, whether good or bad." Thank God I do not receive justice from Him, but rather mercy.
Posted in: Social Justice ... With a Side of Salt
Eric, thanks for your well-reasoned input.
I admit my fingers paused for long time after describing "wisdom" as "common sense." I was going for brevity and ease of understanding, and probably lost accuracy in the process.
I like your suggestion of "the essence of the knowledge and character of God."
Posted in: Fear and the Nashville Statement
The 9th Commandment commands us to avoid bearing false witness against out neighbor.
Unless we are able to read the internal motivations of people (i.e. we're mind readers), or the person has explicitly stated their internal motivations, isn't it bearing false witness against them to say they are motivated by fear and hate?
Wouldn't it be better to take them at their word: that they are motivated by faithfulness to Scripture, concern for the integrity of God's design for Family, and love of people who are lost in sinfulness and headed to destruction?
Posted in: Earth Day Prayer
This earth day, I thank God for His gift of fossil fuels!
https://network.crcna.org/biblical-justice/thank-god-fossil-fuels
Posted in: Christians Clothed in Babylonian Silk
This reminds me of something I heard somewhere once...
"That perfume could have been sold! And the money given to the poor!"
"There will always be poor."