This week, life-sentence prison-tariffs were deemed unlawful by the European courts. The Americans are still trying to catch up with Edward Snowdon to bring him to account for leaking national secrets. And today, of course, the funeral of Fusilier Lee Rigby - brutally murdered in London - will open again all sorts of debates about the nature of justice. As a nation and as a global people we argue about what is right or wrong, too harsh or too lenient a punishment for any given misdemeanour.
Then there are issues of justice that fall beyond the criminal. What rights do human beings have? What does it mean to treat people fairly? How should we relate to those who are downtrodden and oppressed?
The Hebrew word for justice is mishpat. It's most basic meaning is to treat people equitably. It means acquitting or punishing every person on the merits of their own case regardless of race or social status. But mishpat means more than just the punishment of wrongdoing. It also means giving people their rights, giving people their due whether that be punishment, protection or care. So justice is also about relationships and certainly includes generosity to those around us. Almost every page of the Bible speaks of God's heart for the poor. His concern for the marginalised and compassion for the oppressed. His call for justice.
It is often thought in secular society that the Bible is one of the greatest hindrances to doing justice. Isn’t it full of regressive views? Didn’t it condone slavery? Why look to the Bible for guidance on how to have a more just society? In Generous Justice, Tim Keller explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace: a generous, gracious justice. Here is a book for believers who find the Bible a trustworthy guide, as well as those who suspect that Christianity is a regressive influence in the world.
Generous Justice - 40% off here.
Dean is the Sales Manager at The Good Book Company. He engages with churches, organisations and individuals to provide them with useful resources for their varying ministries. Dean attends St John's Church in Woking, where he lives with his family.
