The justness of love : the essence and status of justice in Luther's theology
Loading...
Authors
Raath, Andries
Issue Date
2006
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Luther's theory , Justice
Alternative Title
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.
Description
Peer reviewed
Citation
Raath, Andries 2006,'The justness of love : the essence and status of justice in Luther's theology',
Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. XXXII, no. 1, pp. 335-354.
Publisher
Church History Society of Southern Africa
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1017-0499