"Thursday, February 08, 2007
If you are Christian or Jewish, the importance of the Bible may be obvious to you.
If you are not (which is also fine -- I am not trying to convert anyone), please note that 85% of the American population identifies itself as Christian, and millions more identify themselves as Jewish. Therefore, if you are trying to reach Americans, it might help to know a little about the Bible. If you can quote scripture, you may more easily reach people who might not otherwise listen.
The Bible mentions justice over 200 times -- more than just about any other topic. The Bible asks us to do justice and to stand up to ANYONE -- including powerful leaders -- who do injustice or oppress the people.
Indeed, one of the first things God asks of us is to do justice:
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
While many churches and synagogues focus on other issues, they have ignored this most important of God's demands of us. As pointed out by a leading Christian ministry, which rescues underage girls trapped as sex slaves in third world countries:
God demands that we do everything in our power to act as "God's hands" in bringing justice. And as Saint Augustine reminds us, "Charity is no substitute for justice withheld."
Please reflect on the following Scripture:
'The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene.' (Isaiah 59:15-16) (this is the only place where the word appalled is used for the way God feels -- in other words, the only thing which we know God is appalled by is if people are not doing justice)
"Blessed are they who maintain justice . . . ." (Psalm 106:3)
"This is what the LORD says: Maintain justice and do what is right . . . ." (Isiah 56:1)
"This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right." (Jeremiah 22:3,13-17)
"Follow justice and justice alone.” (Deuteronomy 16:19, 20)
"For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice . . . ." (Job 11:5,7)
"Learn to do right! Seek justice . . . ." (Isaiah 1:17)
There are hundreds of other references to justice in the Bible.
Might Makes . . .
Does might make right? It might be tempting to think so. But would a terrorist be right because he can blow up a marketplace? Obviously, the answer is no. The ability to kill does not make one right.
Likewise, the Pharaoh of Egypt was the most powerful man in the empire. Did that make him right when he refused to release slaves? Again, the answer is clearly no.
What About Romans 13?
Some people argue that Romans 13 states that Christians must submit to government authority, since the government is divinely empowered and sustained. This is actually the argument which Adolph Hitler used in order to convince the German churches to follow him and his policies.
However, Romans 13 does not teach subservience. Rather, as explained by a Baptist minister, it teaches that any government that is a "terror to good works" is acting beyond its authority and must be resisted.
What Does This Mean?
It is clear that the Bible requires us to seek justice even against the high and mighty. Moses obtained justice -- freeing the slaves -- from the Pharaoh, the highest and mightiest person in the entire Egyptian empire.
Likewise, we should -- and we are actually REQUIRED by God -- to bring the perpetrators of serious crimes to justice -- no matter who they are or what station in life they hold. That is our sacred duty as people of faith.
And please remember that even if a person calls herself religious, we must judge that person by her deeds and the fruits of her labor. Even if a person is a Christian or Jewish leader, please remember the Biblical warning:
"Beware of false prophets . . ." (Matthew 7:15)
What Is He Talking About?
The former Attorney General of the United States says that President Bush and Vice President Cheney have committed high crimes and misdemeanors, and should be impeached.
A Republican constitutional law expert, who helped to impeach President Bill Clinton, agrees.
A former Congresswoman instrumental in impeaching Richard Nixon agrees.
So does the head of the House Judiciary Committee
We must be God's hands and do his justice against ALL those who commit evil acts, no matter what they may call themselves.
As people of faith . . . we must impeach.
More and more religious leaders are calling for impeachment. See, for example, this one.
If you are not (which is also fine -- I am not trying to convert anyone), please note that 85% of the American population identifies itself as Christian, and millions more identify themselves as Jewish. Therefore, if you are trying to reach Americans, it might help to know a little about the Bible. If you can quote scripture, you may more easily reach people who might not otherwise listen.
The Bible mentions justice over 200 times -- more than just about any other topic. The Bible asks us to do justice and to stand up to ANYONE -- including powerful leaders -- who do injustice or oppress the people.
Indeed, one of the first things God asks of us is to do justice:
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
While many churches and synagogues focus on other issues, they have ignored this most important of God's demands of us. As pointed out by a leading Christian ministry, which rescues underage girls trapped as sex slaves in third world countries:
"In Scripture there is a constant call to seek justice. Jesus got upset at the Pharisees because they neglected the weightier matters of the law, which He defined as justice and the love of God . . . Isaiah 58 complains about the fact that while the people of God are praying and praying and praying, they are not doing anything about the injustice."Should Christians pray for justice and leave the rest to God? NO! We are God's hands for dispensing justice, and God uses us to "administer justice." (Hebrews 11:33) . We have to "walk our talk" and put our prayers into action.
God demands that we do everything in our power to act as "God's hands" in bringing justice. And as Saint Augustine reminds us, "Charity is no substitute for justice withheld."
Please reflect on the following Scripture:
'The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene.' (Isaiah 59:15-16) (this is the only place where the word appalled is used for the way God feels -- in other words, the only thing which we know God is appalled by is if people are not doing justice)
"Blessed are they who maintain justice . . . ." (Psalm 106:3)
"This is what the LORD says: Maintain justice and do what is right . . . ." (Isiah 56:1)
"This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right." (Jeremiah 22:3,13-17)
"Follow justice and justice alone.” (Deuteronomy 16:19, 20)
"For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice . . . ." (Job 11:5,7)
"Learn to do right! Seek justice . . . ." (Isaiah 1:17)
There are hundreds of other references to justice in the Bible.
Might Makes . . .
Does might make right? It might be tempting to think so. But would a terrorist be right because he can blow up a marketplace? Obviously, the answer is no. The ability to kill does not make one right.
Likewise, the Pharaoh of Egypt was the most powerful man in the empire. Did that make him right when he refused to release slaves? Again, the answer is clearly no.
What About Romans 13?
Some people argue that Romans 13 states that Christians must submit to government authority, since the government is divinely empowered and sustained. This is actually the argument which Adolph Hitler used in order to convince the German churches to follow him and his policies.
However, Romans 13 does not teach subservience. Rather, as explained by a Baptist minister, it teaches that any government that is a "terror to good works" is acting beyond its authority and must be resisted.
What Does This Mean?
It is clear that the Bible requires us to seek justice even against the high and mighty. Moses obtained justice -- freeing the slaves -- from the Pharaoh, the highest and mightiest person in the entire Egyptian empire.
Likewise, we should -- and we are actually REQUIRED by God -- to bring the perpetrators of serious crimes to justice -- no matter who they are or what station in life they hold. That is our sacred duty as people of faith.
And please remember that even if a person calls herself religious, we must judge that person by her deeds and the fruits of her labor. Even if a person is a Christian or Jewish leader, please remember the Biblical warning:
"Beware of false prophets . . ." (Matthew 7:15)
What Is He Talking About?
The former Attorney General of the United States says that President Bush and Vice President Cheney have committed high crimes and misdemeanors, and should be impeached.
A Republican constitutional law expert, who helped to impeach President Bill Clinton, agrees.
A former Congresswoman instrumental in impeaching Richard Nixon agrees.
So does the head of the House Judiciary Committee
We must be God's hands and do his justice against ALL those who commit evil acts, no matter what they may call themselves.
As people of faith . . . we must impeach.
More and more religious leaders are calling for impeachment. See, for example, this one.
