The Concept of Justice in Theology: An Overview, Key Questions, and Reflections
The Concept of Justice in Theology: An Overview, Key Questions, and Reflections
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54855/csl.25545Keywords:
Justice; Christian moral theology; God’s justice/righteousness; Mercy; The CrossAbstract
The article outlines the concept of justice in theology within the Vietnamese context. On the moral level, justice in human relationships is discussed in terms of commutative, distributive, and social justice, grounded in human dignity and the concrete reality of the Covenant. On the biblical–doctrinal level, “God’s justice” is both saving love and righteous judgment; therefore, mercy does not oppose justice but brings it to fulfillment. Addressing questions about punishment and judgment, the author proposes reading salvation history through legal categories as a “dramatic trial” that reaches its climax in Christ’s Cross and Resurrection. Finally, the article relates these theological insights to current shortcomings of justice in social life and calls the Church to work for justice in the spirit of the Cross.
References
Todd D. Whitmore, “Justice”, trong Richard P. McBrian (ed.), Encyclopedia of Catholicism (New York: HarperCollins, 1995), 726-727.
Nguyễn Như Ý (ed.), Đại từ điển Tiếng Việt (Hà Nội: NXB Văn Hoá - Thông Tin, 1998), 454-456.
X. N.T. Wright, “Righteousness”, trong David F. Wright, Sinclair B. Ferguson, J.I. Packer (eds.), New Dictionary of Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 590-592; Albert Descamps, “Justice”, trong Xavier Léon-Dufour et al. (eds.), Vocabulaire de Théologie Biblique (Paris: Les Éditions du Cerf, 19702), 636-645.
X. “Justice of God. In the Bible”, trong Berard L. Marthaler et al. (eds.), New Catholic Encyclopedia, vol.8 (Detroit: Gale & Catholic University of America, 20032), 70-71.
Hans Urs von Balthasar, Theo-drama. Theological Dramtic Theory. II: Dramatis Personae: Man in God; dịch giả Graham Harrison (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1990), 152.
Markus Barth, Justification, dịch giả A.M. Woodruff III (Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2006), 25.
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