Is God Just?
By Craig A. Hopseker
1-24-02
Revised: 1-24-03
Recently I attended a lecture to learn about Islam. There was much with which I agreed and much I appreciated. I particularly appreciated their deep devotion to God. However, there was one concept with which I could not agree. Muslims believe that one of God’s characteristics is that of being just. By this they mean that he rewards the good and punishes the evil. Most Christians hold the same concept, but I do not. While the concept of justice may have its place in society, it has no place in divinity.

I believe Jesus had a greater understanding of God than perhaps any other man. In turning to his parables, I believe that Jesus teaches us that God is not just. In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20: 1-16) the landowner (God) is not just, he is generous. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) the elder brother is quick to point out the injustice of his younger brother’s being welcomed back home. But the father’s love and compassion for both his sons outweighs any concerns for justice. When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus (John 8:1-11) he came to her defense, even though the just law of Moses would have had her stoned. And as Jesus hung on the cross, he did not call down justice upon his persecutors, but forgiveness (Luke 23: 34).

Justice would have us say, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But Jesus said, “Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.” (Matthew 5: 39) Justice would have us do to others as they have done to us. But Jesus said, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) He also said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven: for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5: 44-45) Justice must have its roots in judgment. But Jesus said, “Do not Judge.” (Matthew 7: 1) All this indicates to me a God of love and mercy; not justice.

Of course there are other passages where supposedly Jesus speaks of eternal punishment (Matthew 25: 46). How can we explain those? I personally believe that in their attempts to spread their new religion, some early Christians compromised the teachings of Jesus to make them more acceptable to people who could not accept the absolute mercy, love, and grace of God. Recalling again the story of the prodigal son, how many of us see the reactions of the elder brother as perfectly reasonable? People don’t like grace. They want just retribution for sin!

But God’s ways are not our ways. In A Course In Miracles; Jesus says, “God does not believe in retribution. His Mind does not create that way. He does not hold your “evil” deeds against you.” (Text, page 32) Given this and the overwhelming evidence provided in Biblical scripture, I cannot believe that God punishes sin.

I believe that too much hatred, too much violence, and too much judgment has been perpetrated in the name of justice and righteousness. If God is just, it is not in the sense that man would normally think. God knows that our wickedness, no matter how horrendous in time, has no effect in eternity. He therefore justly sees all his children as perfectly innocent and loves them accordingly.