What is Biblical Justice? 

This is often a hot button issue of discussion. Many Christians completely ignore issues of justice and don't involve themselves in transforming the world around them through the gospel. While others take concepts of justice with almost no discernment or differentiation from political ideologies that are antithetical to Scripture and hiw we are to see the world. 

Here are some points I have found helpful in assessing how we enact justice. 

If a view of justice blames all evil on external systems of oppression while ignoring Solomon’s pride-deflating insight that our own hearts are full of evil and moral insanity (Eccles. 9:3) then it is not true justice. A biblical worldview sees evil not only in systems (Ps. 94:20), where we ought to seek justice, but also within the twisted hearts of those who make those systems unjust. All the external activism in the world won’t bring about any lasting justice if we downplay our need for the regenerating, love-infusing work of God through the gospel.

If a view of justice deconstructs relationships in terms of “power differentials” and argues that all such hierarchies are oppressive and must be abolished in the name of “equality” then it is not true justice. A biblical worldview totally opposes the sinful abuse of power, but sees many hierarchies, like the parent-child, rabbi-disciple, elders-congregation, teacher-student relationships, as part of God’s good design for human flourishing.

If a view of justice interprets all truth, reason and logic as mere constructs of the oppressive class, if it encourages us to dismiss someone’s viewpoint on the basis of their skin tone or gender, then it is not true justice. The Greatest Commandment calls people from every ethnicity and gender to love God with our whole minds. A mind that loves the Father assesses ideas based on their biblical fidelity, truth-value and evidence, not the group identity of those articulating it.

If a view of justice encourages rage and resentment toward people groups as a motivator for social activism then it is not true justice. A biblical worldview calls us to overcome evil with good, love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Family and reconciliation among every tongue, tribe and nation, not intertribal warfare, is the Bible’s model for justice.

If a view of justice breaks people into group identities, generating a spirit of mutual suspicion, hostility, fear, labeling, offended-ness and preoccupation with one’s subjective feelings then it is not true justice. A biblical worldview champions a unifying kind of love that “is not easily offended,” and offers us the fruit of the Spirit like joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

If a view of justice treats individuals as exemplars or ciphers of their identity groups, attributing goodness or guilt on the basis of skin tone, gender or social status, then it is not true justice. A Christian worldview assesses everyone as guilty based on our group identity “in Adam.” This guilt can be erased only by finding our new and deepest group identity in Jesus, “the second Adam.” Rather than condemning people for ethnic or gender group identity, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

If a view of justice seeks behavior modification, often through intimidation, speech codes and ideological re-education, then it is not true justice. A biblical worldview seeks character transformation not through political coercion but through the in-working power of the Holy Spirit, the discipleship of the family and the local church.

If a view of justice teaches that the human telos (i.e., our ultimate purpose and meaning) is defined by the creature, and that anyone who challenges our self-defined telos is an oppressor, then it is not true justice. A biblical worldview teaches that our telos is defined by the Creator and the sinful refusal to live within that God-defined telos brings oppression to ourselves and those around us. Real authenticity and freedom don’t come from defining yourself and “following your heart,” but from letting God define you and following his heart.

(taken from Thinking Biblically About Social Justice - Talbot Magazine - Biola University)