Divine Justice Issues

In this introductory chapter or post we will begin to discuss the most common issues that people debate in regard to the justice of God. This is not an easy subject. Theologians and philosophers have sought out answers to the most common objections that are raised against the idea of God being just. I have had plans to research this subject further and put my thoughts and the results of my research into a series with the hope that it will be of benefit to others who are likewise interested in this subject. 

In several areas of bible doctrine there is debate over whether or not God is just (or righteous) in his dealings with his creatures. Not all of the difficulties dealing with God's justice are fully understood, being in some respects still mysterious.

Questions To Be Addressed

1. The justice of God and the problem of evil was the topic of debate in the Book of Job. Do the innocent ever suffer evil at the hand of God? Why does God allow evil things to occur?

2. The justice of God is a debated issue in discussing God's condemnation of all men for the one sin of Adam. Is it right for God to condemn others for the sin of Adam? Is it right for God to cause me to be born into this world with a sinful nature? Is it right for the Lord to allow others to suffer the evil consequences of another man's wrongs?

3. The justice of God is a debate issue in discussing foreknowledge and predestination (or determinism). If all my choices and deeds are the result of God's will, then how can I be fairly or justly condemned for doing what I could not help doing (what he made me to do)? Is it just for God not to stop a crime that he knows in advance will be committed?

4. Is it just for God to punish one person for another person's crime, as in the atonement? Jesus was punished for the sins of others. How is that just and fair? Is it just for God to allow a substitute?

5. Is it just to declare one righteous by proxy? The righteousness of a believer is perfect, being not his own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ imputed to him (or put to his credit). Is that just and right?

6.  The justice of God is a debate issue in discussing God's choice of sinners to salvation before the world began by grace alone. Is it just for God to choose one to salvation and not another? 

7. Is it just and fair for God to give more to one than to another? This is a question involving what is called "distributive justice." Or, is God fair? 

8. Was it right for God to punish the animal creation for the sin of man? 

9. Was it right for God to create beings who he foreknew would rebel and be punished forever for it?

10. Does God owe all a chance to be saved? Does he actually give all an equal chance or opportunity to be saved? Would he be unjust not to do so?

11. Can God do things that creatures cannot do, morally speaking? In other words, is God obligated to obey the same laws that he gives to his creatures? In other words, is God righteous because he keeps moral laws? 

12. Is eternal punishment fair? 

These are the subjects we will try to address in this series. We may add another question or two as we do the research and gather our thoughts together and put them in writing. Also, we always invite feedback from our readers on any of our writings.