Christians' Beliefs About Justice and Forgiveness In order to consider Christian beliefs relating to justice, it is first necessary to understand the meaning of justice. Justice means being concerned with what is right or fair. In addition, there should be equality of treatment and the law judged and applied impartially, Deuteronomy 1:16-18. Christians believe that our relationships with others should be based on what is just and in turn this is based on the belief in a just God and in the teachings and actions of Jesus. God brought the world into existence not for chaos, but for order. In the sphere of human behaviour, order is preserved by customs and laws. However, the law must be constantly checked and updated for fairness. Respect for justice may require that particular laws are vigorously contested and reformed. Where a law or a particular government is severely unjust and incapable of reform through the political process, Christians may be called to non-violent disobedience in protest. This may be rare in the ...
to do evil to their enemies, but to instead to them good, and to pray
Forgiveness and justice are very similar than we believe them to be. We believe that justice is
happen. Jesus knew it was his duty to go through with it so instead of
Darkness is a relentless force that will gradually deteriorate everything it touches unless stopped by a superior power. Darkness cannot mask light, but light can mask darkness by the power of love and grace. Elizabeth Proctor from The Crucible by Arthur Miller is hidden in the darkness by her unwillingness to forgive her husband, John Proctor for lechery. As the Puritans in Salem, Massachusetts are hanged for being falsely accused of witchcraft, Elizabeth discovers grace. In “Arthur Miller’s Introduction to His Collected Plays,” Miller explains, “the sin of public terror divests man of conscience, of himself” (51). The widespread paranoia in Salem leads Puritans to disregard their moral beliefs in order to save their lives. However, Elizabeth
Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feeling and attitude regarding an offense; let’s go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender. Walter (1984) stated that forgiveness is a voluntary process that usually requires courage and multiple acts of the will to complete. In Walters' view, the person who has been hurt has two alternatives: to be destroyed by resentment which leads to death, or to forgive which leads to healing and life. Sonja Lyubomirsky calls forgiveness is a natural resolution of the grief process, which is the necessary acknowledgment of pain and loss. It is a powerful choice that can lead to greater well being and better relationships.
... should not be fixed arbitrary and on irrational basis because then it would result in uncertain, surprising outcomes but it should be fixed based on a standard moral code with a clear comprehension of Divine revelations and Supreme commandment in one’s mind, which is possible only in the belief of existence of a Deity.
For many years, dating back to the first birth of man there has been the ultimate question of what makes a man just. This question has been pondered by numerous great philosophers. The question is varied to answer because of a multitude of opinions due to the nature of human diversity. Whether or not there is an objective answer to the question still remains a mystery. Plato and Epicurus have both given their detailed opinions of what makes one just. Plato believes that justness is something that comes from a more internal location dealing with the soul this disagrees with the idea that Epicurus holds which is justness is more of a physical or external matter. In this paper I will prove that Plato's ideas on this subject are the more appropriate and more truthful.
Is it possible to forgive a wrong done to someone else? Should only those who repent be forgiven?
The implementation of this new ethical paradigm allowed for Abrahamic societies to link their belief in God to common social values and responsibilities (Stark, 2001). The approach which Judaism, Christianity and Islam each take toward these common social values and responsibilities displays which values are held highest in each religion. Despite differences in each religion’s approach, common themes exist. The role of justice and forgiveness in each religion displays a common belief that man’s nature is to stray from God’s justice, but that man can ultimately connect with the divine through the contemplation and understanding of what is good and right.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”(Matthew 6:14-15, NIV) Husain Haddawy’s The Arabian Nights discusses many situations in which individuals learn to forgive others for the wrong that they have done against them. The Bible refers to the idea of forgiveness as an act not only for the person that has wronged you but for yourself; in order to grow, we have to forgive because if we do not, God will not forgive us. Haddawy’s literary work emphasizes the importance of forgiveness through the stories relating to the Demon and King Shahrayar.
When I opened my yearbook, I began to reminisce about my half year of high school in China. As I flipped through the pages of the yearbook, a picture of an old man with a benevolent smile caught my eyes. Daydreaming about the incident, my eyesight became hazy, and I felt my hands becoming swollen, which always refreshes my memory of his profound words.
With the prominent focus in Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky being the path for redemption and the search for hope, a connection can be made with the religious influences throughout the novel. Such religious influences throughout the Christian faith can most prominently be seen in how the characters such as Raskolnikov develop. Needing a vessel to communicate and push these religious influences onto a struggling and tormented Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky uses Sonia’s character to contrast religious perspectives and offer a beacon of hope to Raskolnikov. Through understanding religious symbolism, relationships with other characters, and a character’s path to seek redemption, one can gain insight into Raskolnikov’s development and path for personal growth in Crime and Punishment.
Forgiveness is the act of releasing an offender of any wrong or hurt they may have caused you whether they deserve it or not. It is a decision to let go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group of people. When we choose to forgive, we’re wiping the slate clean, cancelling a debt, or as I love to say, “Letting it go.” In the Bible, the Greek word for forgiveness literally means to “let it go.” This concept, “forgiveness,” is easier said than done. Majority of people find it very difficult to let go of offenses and hurts caused by others. I really do believe that most people desire to let it go, but we lack the knowledge of how to do it. As believers, we are instructed by God maintain an attitude of forgiveness.
Asking to forgive is often considered as hard words and it rarely comes out from anybody’s mouth. However, when said, it gets harder to ignore the same. In our lifetime we have been on both the sides. We might have asked somebody to forgive or somebody could have asked us to forgive them. However, the emotional concern often results from unforgiveness. When you do not forgive a person or if somebody does not forgive you, it often leads to bitterness, resentment, hated and anger. Many families often develop depression as well as social behavioral problems due to hatred and anger. In a few cases it has led to serious issues like murder.
Repentance is essential when it comes to salvation. One must repent of his or her sins to truly believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As it has been correctly stated, “Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin.” One cannot repent unless he or she believes in Jesus Christ. Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:25, “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” This sums up the relationship between saving faith and repentance.