How is justice practiced in Christianity?

Question

If a judge was to give a sentence to someone, what would be the Christian thing to do?

Does Christianity have rules on how to practice law and order?

Answer 1

1 Peter 2:13-14 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

Basically, we are to follow the law of the land.... if we are in any country, we need to follow their laws or we will have to face the punishments for breaking them. we are not 'above' the law, nor can we choose to disregard the law just because we don't agree with it.

Answer 2

If you are talking about a matter of civil justice, then the judge has to follow whatever guidlines were laid down in the law. The victims, if still living (or their families if not), are commanded to forgive the offender, but this forgiveness is a matter of the heart, and does not affect the action of a nation's legal system.

Christians are ordered to submit to the laws of the land wherever they live, unless such submission would bring them into direct conflict with God's law. If the Country of Smorgasborg has banned drinking alcohol and watching football on Fridays, then a Christian living there will just have to set the VCR on "record" and save the beer for Saturday night. No conflict, no problem. If, however, Smorgasborgia has made sacrificing your firstborn to the Supreme leader of Smorgasborgia a legal requirement, then all Christians would have to either move out, or refuse to submit to the law. Just as an example.

If you are talking about Church justice, then know that there are as many different approaches to Church trials, as there are denominations! Several of them do practice justice by a council of elders when serious cases arise. Others pass more serious cases along to higher-ranking members of the clergy, who can act as a judge in such matters. The most any church can do, however, is excommunication to an offending, unrepentant party.

Answer 3

If the judge is a legitimate authority and his sentence is just, the Christian thing to do would be respect that decision and serve the sentence.

However, if your informed conscience tells you that the sentence is unjust, then you are obliged to contest and not cooperate with this perceived injustice, limiting yourself to moral means of action when doing so.

Christianity demands that a social order be created that would serve the greater good of all. This order must be loving, moral and just. The practice of law and order, like the practice of anything else, must be subject to these rules of love and justice.

If you're looking for rules to determine morality, the Church has plenty. Check out www.vatican.va.

Answer 4

You must understand God appointed three time periods (dispensations).

First, Adam to Abram, about 2,000 years. That system ruled under the Order of Melchizedek--God and Priest.

Then Abraham to John the Baptist, that 2000 was allotted to the Jews.

Then from John to---our day, another 2,000 years given to the Gentiles, to quote Jesus.

God met judgments under the first covenant--the flood, destruction of Sodom, etc.

Then the Jewish dispensation:
You will find confusion on God's justice unless you understand God told Abram Palestine would be for his descendants after 400 years because their iniquity would increase in that time.

Israel used military conquests against those who resisted them. BUT, they lost their theocracy.

Under the Christian dispensation, legal authorities or governments controlled the populace--they are ordained by God, the Bible says.
For Christians, they are not to punish murders, or actively control society. When wronged, the Bible says: Leave room for the wrath of God, or turn the other cheek, to quote Jesus.
Under this system, all who break God's laws will meet their final judgment in the lake of fire.

The timing of the great conflict, identity of Antichrist, and proof that Jesus is the Messiah are revealed in a secret Bible code at www.revelado.org/revealed.htm

Blessings

Answer 5

Yes it does in the New Testament. Law and order in the Christian community states that we are to settle differences on on one. If that doesn't work, then take two or 3 witnesses with you. If that doesn't work, then take it to the authorities in the church, if that doesn't work, then make it public.

The Bible states that you don't want things to go to court and let non-scriptural authorities decide issues. But please understand that this only relates to issues between two Christians.

In the case of a person who breaks the laws outside of the church, we are to follow the laws. The Christian thing to do is to forgive one another and we are not to bring suit against one another. If we did that, most of our civil law cases would be taken care of. When we wrong a person, we are to repay them, instead of waiting for the person to take us to court.

In the case of criminal court and activities, while we are to forgive the person, at some point, you do have to allow the person to be turned over to the proper authorities.

Answer 6

If a judge gives someone a sentence, the Christian thing to do is to submit to that judgement as God tells us to obey the laws of the land.

We would of course pray for that person and offer whatever counseling and such that we can while they go through with their sentence. Christians have many prison ministries that do that very thing :)

Answer 7

Yes. While God has given us discernment to judge righteously, He is the ultimate judge. We have no right to tell someone they're going to hell. However, it is our duty to warn them that the sinful life they may be living will lead them there if they fail to turn their life around.

Also, while we're to submit to the law of man, meaning our government, the law of God comes first. If a law of man doesn't line up with the law of God, we're to submit to God's law rather than the law of men.

The main thing that God instructs us as Christians to do (I realize there are many who don't-they're misguided and need prayer), is to love others as He has loved us, which is with mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and justice.

Answer 8

As I are conscious of it, Islam replaced into in accordance to countless previously religious practices, which contains Christianity and Judaism. a serious aspect of distinction between Christianity and Islam is the question of the divinity of Jesus Christ. those human beings who're Christian trust contained in the divinity of Christ. even as the guy of Christ is recognized very highly among Muslims, he's not considered a divine being, only a prophet.

Answer 9

true christians follow the law of the land they live in as long as it doesnt interfere with God's laws.

within a religious organization tho, if someone chooses to stop obeying the law...then the bible says they should no longer be considered part of the congregation.

its fairly obvious as to whether or not a person "made a mistake" or if they victimized someone seriously.

Answer 10

we have to follow whatever laws are in place where we live, and if we break the law, are susceptible to the punishments that are given for that law. We know ahead of time what is 'legal' or not and need to make the right choices.