The justness of love : the essence and status of justice in Luther's theology

Abstract

Luther’s views on justice provide a useful platform of departure for discerning ‘points of contact’ between Christians and non- Christians on the nature and role of justice in society. The main elements of such ‘points of contact’ are contained in the principle that the simplest and most important element in moral and juridical discipline is inserted in all human souls by divine Providence because everyone stands in need of it. Justice is the simplest, most basic, and noble idea – every other value possessed by positive law is accidental, accessory and derivative, and the essence of the perfection of laws consists in justice alone. Justice is necessarily present in every human being in whom the tiniest ray of reason shines, obliging every rational being to mutual love and benevolence in all social relations. Justice is not the invention of philosophy or science but a manifestation of the supreme truth, and commands us to acknowledge truth (or justice) as soon as the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. In short: justice, as the supreme value in society, is the manifestation of the supreme truth, namely the duty to love your neighbour as yourself and to promote benevolence as the supreme good in society.