The human expectancy for justice

There is a new book out this month by Mars Hill pastor Rob Bell. Apparently, it is making quite a stir in some parts of conservative Christianity. The book has just been released , but was already receiving criticism before it came out. This is due to the fact that Bell is discussing the reality of Hell and eternal punishment. He seems to insinuate in his video advertisement that a good God would not condemn people eternally because "love wins" in the end. In fact that is the title of the book, "Love Wins". Now I have not read the book and I get very uneasy when people criticize an author/speaker before they have read/heard his/her arguments. It is important that conservative Christians give Bell respect as a fellow believer by reading his book before commenting. If I ever publish, I hope that I will get that treatment.

But Bell's video advertisement did trigger a thought in my mind that often goes missing in discussions on this topic: the human need for justice (Bell may discuss this in his book, I hope he does). Both believers and unbelievers often chaff over the justice of God as we learn about his wrath and judgment upon sinful humans (Rom. 1:18-3:20). How could a loving God send people into judgment? The short answer is that God is just. Justice cannot be separated from His love. His justice judges sin and His love provides the Gospel. It is typical to put ourself in the place of God and say that we would forgive everyone no matter what. But if we stop and think about that for a moment, then we quickly realize that it is not true. We often jettison forgiveness because of a desire for justice.

One of the most pronounced examples of this in my opinion is how the vast majority of Americans rose up with one voice after the events of 9/11 and cried out for justice. Carte blanche forgiveness was not on many lips. We recognized that the innocent had suffered and there needed to be payment. There needed to be judgment. Another illustration is seen by me every week as I teach at a maximum security prison. The offenders are locked up because this is how our system perceives that justice will be satisfied. They have committed crimes and are paying for them. You can imagine the feelings of the victims, if some of these offenders never had to suffer any penalty for their crimes. The cry of "injustice!" would be heard, and bitterness would result. It is not just the victims though who cry for justice. It is also the offenders. They have a strong sense of justice. They see the problems with the "system" better than anyone else and often the desire for justice is expressed.

It makes complete sense that if we as God's creation crave justice, then the creator God would crave justice exponentially more. We often misperceive what is owed to us in order for justice to be met, but God knows exactly the cost of sin and the payment for forgiveness. If we remove the characteristic of justice from God, then we do not glorify Him; in fact we make Him less than human. As human beings we expect justice; how much more should God?