EDITORIAL:
Justice mandates multiple efforts
___We pray for justice in this world.
___"Justice" has been an important word in the vocabularies of many people since Sept. 11. How could justice sufficiently compensate for the devastation perpetrated on that date? Certainly, nothing can be done to replace the lives of more than 6,000 victims of the terrorist attacks. Hundreds more lost their health. And the centrifugal propulsion of pain cast it far and wide, touching virtually every American and thousands of citizens of other countries. The world feels less secure now--politically, militarily, economically, emotionally. No amount of vengeance can inflict enough suffering to balance the damage that already has been done.
___And yet we pray for justice.
___What should we seek? Four types of justice seem worthy of our best efforts:
___ Military justice. This phase of follow-up to Sept. 11 has captured global attention, especially since U.S. and allied forces began bombing Taliban outposts in Afghanistan. Military justice is the most tangible goal to seek. This evil episode in human history is embodied in Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network. We hope and pray those who masterminded, bankrolled and authorized the Sept. 11 carnage will be made to pay for their wickedness. Just as fervently, we desire that their nefarious network be dismantled so the reign of terror will be quieted and peace restored.
___As we yearn for military justice, we do well to heed warnings of those who plead that our military actions indeed be just. For centuries, Christian thinkers have advocated that military conflict be conducted according to just-war theory. The principles of just war stipulate that, to be just, the war must have a just cause, be declared by a proper authority, possess the right intention, have a reasonable chance of success and be conducted so that the desired end is proportional to the means by which it is conducted.
___The current conflict with the Taliban and al Qaeda easily meets the first three criteria. The cause is a just response to horrific terror and threat of similar catastrophe. The war has been declared by the duly elected governments of the United States and a host of other nations. And the intention--eliminate global terrorism--certainly is worthy. The last two criteria are more difficult. Our political and military leaders must take care to wage this war so that it can be successful without unnecessary waste of life. Moreover, they must weigh the means as they seek the ends. For example, they must take care not to destroy the lives of innocent Afghanis in order to locate and destroy bin Laden and his associates. Military and political strategists need prayer for wisdom beyond human capacity.
___ Domestic justice. Some voices among us appropriately caution that we avoid trampling civil liberties in our rush to security. Of course, we want our country to be safe and secure. But if we deny basic rights to residents who do not look, speak, act or worship like we do, then we have diminished our democracy. We must remain vigilant to protect the "aliens" among us, as the Old Testament would call them. For if we begin to deny basic rights to some, we will erode the inherent rights of all. We may not sense it at first, but if we fail, our children and children's children will curse us for it.
___ Global justice. If you've read any of the "Why do they hate us?" articles this past month, you've confronted the disparity of global economics. Americans--in relative terms, almost all of us--sit in the lap of luxury, while many of the world's militant crouch in squalor. We need not invent global welfare, of course. But we can help span the gap between developed and Third World nations. We can help the world's needy help themselves, creating opportunities for improvement and eliminating reasons for hatred. Besides, Jesus commanded us to minister to "the least of these."
___ Spiritual justice. None of us wants spiritual justice, of course. We're all sinners. We don't want damnation and eternal separation from God. That's why we're so grateful for grace. And that's why it's so important to share that life-saving, eternity-changing grace with everyone. In perilous times like these, we're tempted to pull back and exercise caution. And, of course, we should be wise. But the whole world--especially the Muslim world--needs grace only available from God through faith in Christ. So, rather than cut short our efforts, we need to step them up. Give to support missions. Go if God calls. Get involved with Texas Partnerships overseas. Educate the rising generation about the missions imperative.
___We cannot claim to support justice if we do not champion all justice--for the terrorists, yes, but also for all residents of our country, for the disadvantaged and impoverished around the globe and for those who desperately need to hear the saving message of God's love.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook