Bible Seminar | Rev. Dr. Martin L. Sinaga

 

Introduction 

Justice is one of the most fundamental things in human life. Since the earliest civilizations, humans have always sought ways to balance rights and duties, ensuring that every individual is treated fairly. Almost every nation, religion and philosophy places justice as a key foundation for a stable and harmonious society. However, the issue that continues to haunt us is: Is perfect justice really possible, or is it just a beautiful but unattainable utopian idea?

 

From a biblical and philosophical perspective, justice is placed not just as an idea, but as a demand for praxis in social life. Christian justice affirms that it is not utopian, but a real calling that must be realized in the world, as a sign of God's presence in human history.

 

Justice: Between Universality and Spiritual Dimension

Understanding justice is the recognition of a universal need and a never-ending human struggle. A civilized society cannot survive without a system that balances the rights and obligations of its citizens. Simply put, justice is a relationship between people characterized by the reciprocal fulfillment of rights and duties, a basic principle accepted by almost all cultures.

 

Justice: Spiritual Dimensions in the Old Testament

The understanding of justice needs to be deepened by referring to the Old Testament tradition, which provides a deep spiritual dimension. There are two essential words: Mishpat and Tsedaqa. Mishpat (or justice) refers to making the right and correct decision (legal-judicial aspect). Meanwhile, Shadaqah (or righteousness/piety) means actions that are in accordance with God's decree, focusing on social solidarity.

 

In the view of ancient Israel, these two words are inseparable. Mishpat without Tsedaqa would result in dry and rigid law, while Tsedaqa without Mishpat would be unstructured goodness. True justice is a blend of both.

 

True justice in this tradition is a blend of legal and formal (just laws) and ethical-spiritual (actions that reflect God's character) aspects, where humans reflect God's love and care in the social order. This is realized concretely through partiality to those who are most vulnerable or the poor, widows, orphans, and strangers.

 

Justice in Western Philosophy Perspective

Efforts to understand justice do not simply stop at the theological framework, but also need to be placed within the horizon of Western philosophy to see the similarities and differences. Aristotle, for example, outlined four forms of justice that have become important cornerstones of many modern legal systems:

• Commutative Justice: Justice in exchange, where all people are treated equally and indiscriminately in transactions or agreements. It is the basic principle of equality before the law.

• Distributive Justice: Justice that deals with the distribution of resources, rewards, or punishments. The principle is to give something in proportion to the contribution or service rendered.

• Conventional Justice: Justice that is governed by law or societal consensus. This type of justice is relative and can change over time according to social consensus.

• Restorative Justice: Restorative justice is an approach that focuses on repairing or restoring the harm caused by a wrong. In contrast to conventional justice which focuses more on punishment for the offender, restorative justice emphasizes accountability and reconciliation between all parties involved: the offender, the victim, and the community.

 

The philosophical dimension is important because from classical to modern times, humans have continued to seek ways of defining ideal justice. However, these concepts often stop at the normative level and are difficult to fully realize. They tend to focus on rationality and rules, neglecting the dimensions of empathy and mercy that are essential to truly addressing injustice.

 

Justice in the Teachings of Jesus

Rawls' theory of justice has similarities to Jesus' teachings with a worldly approach becoming apparent. Citing the parable of the vineyard workers (Matthew 20:1–16) as a prime example. The story is particularly challenging because equal pay is given to all workers, even though most only work for a short time.

 

From a human perspective, this seems very unfair. Workers who work all day feel unfairly treated as their wages are equalized with those who only work an hour. However, Jesus emphasized that God's justice is different from the transactional logic of worldly meritocracy. The logic of meritocracy says, "You get paid based on what you produce."

 

This parable reveals that God's justice is not only based on contracts, but also generosity and mercy. God is not only just; He is also gracious. Divine justice is about giving equal opportunities to everyone, including those who "come late" or are considered less productive. Jesus taught that true justice is rational, rooted in love and mercy. It is not just about paying debts, but about creating an order where everyone has a place and an opportunity.

 

Christian Justice: A Practical Call

The important question arises, is this teaching of Jesus just a utopia? On the contrary, Christian justice is a call to praxis that can and must be realized in the real world.

• Real Social Praxis: Christian justice can be realized through siding with the weak. One concrete example is the policy of affirmative action, which gives special opportunities to marginalized groups in order to create balance. This policy, although often debated, is an attempt to correct historical injustice by giving opportunities to those who are systemically left behind. This is in line with Jesus' principle of giving opportunities to all, not just to those who are strong and productive.

• Money Management Ethics: Reflecting on the current situation and issues, where money is often used as a tool of peace, this raises the question. Can money be a tool of peace? The role of money in realizing justice is not as an end, but a means to bring about social good and solidarity. Material possessions should be managed ethically, not only for personal gain but also to help those in need. Jesus' teaching on the dangers of being attached to wealth is a reminder that economic power should be used to build up, not to oppress.

• The Bridge between Love and Reality: Christian justice is ultimately the bridge that connects God's absolute love with the reality of a finite world. Through justice, love is translated into concrete action: generously managing resources, power and opportunities to make room for everyone. This is how we make God's love visible and tangible in the midst of society.

 

The justice of Christ is not a utopian idea, but a call to praxis that can and must be realized. This reflection brings together theological understanding with concrete action, challenging us to change the way we see and act.

 

Changing Paradigms and Living Justice

The justice of Christ demands a radical paradigm shift. Whereas the world judges justice by productivity and meritocracy, Christ judges justice by love and generosity. This is a direct challenge to the competitive and individualistic ways of modern society. This shift in mindset, from "what I deserve" to "what my neighbor needs", is the first step towards a more just society.

 

More than a concept, Christian justice is inextricably linked to generosity. In this teaching, generosity is not an add-on or an option, but rather the core of justice itself.

 

Without mercy, justice becomes only a cold, rigid legality that fails to bring life and compassion. True justice and mercy must go hand in hand, like two sides of an inseparable coin. Ultimately, Christ's justice is praxis. It is not a theory on paper, but a call to action. Justice manifests in concrete actions such as defending the poor, opening access to education for underprivileged children, and providing support to marginalized minority groups. Justice is action, not just words.

 

Call to the Church

As the body of Christ, the Church has a moral responsibility to bear witness to justice. The Church is not only called to preach it, but also to present and embody it through social service, advocacy, and solidarity for the oppressed. The church must be a reflection of the relational justice taught by Christ.

 

While Christ's justice may sound utopian to worldly logic, it is a reality that can and should be realized. Divine justice stems from the generosity of God who gives equal opportunities to all people. Therefore, Christians are called to bridge God's love with the realities of the world through concrete actions that care for the poor, the weak and the excluded. The justice of Christ is not an empty dream, but rather a call to live out love in the social order, transforming the world into a more just and merciful place.