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Straight From The Horses Mouth

Posted Apr 23 2011 by Jonathan Brink in , with 8 Comments

If you followed McKnight’s reviews of Bell’s book, the argument that comes up most frequently is the kind of justice that would act decisively against the oppressors on behalf of the oppressed. The idea then is not personal satisfaction (as in enjoying the suffering of the enemy) but the need to address evil in such a way that it not only stops hurting the victims but also experiences the depth of its own intrinsic darkness. Up to this point I don’t really have an objection to this argument. Problem is: once punishment loses any restorative trajectory, the one punishing becomes the very thing he’s punishing, i.e. an oppressor, torturer, or executioner.

Josh Mueller, in response to A Question To Ponder

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About the Author

Jonathan BrinkI am an business development and communications consultant. I am also the senior editor and publisher for Civitas Press. I recently published, Discovering The God Imagination: Reconstructing A Whole, New Christianity. (Civitas, 2011)View all posts by Jonathan Brink →

  • David

    Unless the issues is so bad it does no good to even try to restore.

    • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

      David, can you think of anything that love ever give up and say, “Nope, that’s just too far gone.”

      • David

        I think just maybe…But the real question here is not what is so bad and I was wrong in saying that for a number of reasons, and you hit on one ! The issue is illistrated by a story in the Bible…(of course) What about the young man (assuming here) that reached out to save the Ark of the Covenant as it was falling ? A simple act out of good intentions yet God took his life, out of what seems to be simple disobedience.nnSo in thinking about this a bit more, just maybe it’s not what so much as does it fly in the face of what God has asked us not to do ? Then as always there are consequences for actions. Does that mean God doesn’t love those who are disobedient ? I would say yes God still Loves them. However, that doesn’t mean there are still consequences…

      • David

        I think just maybe…But the real question here is not what is so bad and I was wrong in saying that for a number of reasons, and you hit on one ! The issue is illistrated by a story in the Bible…(of course) What about the young man (assuming here) that reached out to save the Ark of the Covenant as it was falling ? A simple act out of good intentions yet God took his life, out of what seems to be simple disobedience.nnSo in thinking about this a bit more, just maybe it’s not what so much as does it fly in the face of what God has asked us not to do ? Then as always there are consequences for actions. Does that mean God doesn’t love those who are disobedient ? I would say yes God still Loves them. However, that doesn’t mean there are still consequences…

  • John

    “once punishment loses any restorative trajectory, the one punishing becomes the very thing heu2019s punishing, i.e. an oppressor, torturer, or executioner.”nnSpot on and well said.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1388514701 Greg Dill

    Anything and anyone can be redeemed for the glory of God. True love and justice rescues the oppressed and restores the oppressor.

    • David

      Greg, what would you say about Judas and the circumstance that lead to the ending of his life? nnI agree with your statement. It’s a no brainer by the way. However God is God and does whatevery He does. In the case of Judas I believe Scripture tells us a story about Gods purpose and His control. God could have rescued Judas but did not. Doesn’t mean He didn’t love him.

      • http://www.fivedills.com Greg Dill

        Do we know what happened to Judas after he died?

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