Keller on justice

The Rev. Tim Keller, retired pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, New York, here offers readers A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory. Keller is not new to reflections on justice, writing about it elsewhere, especially in his book, Generous Justice. In this particular essay, he offers a brief outline of biblical justice, focussing on community, equity, corporate responsibility, individual responsibility, and advocacy for the poor and marginalized.

He then looks at four secular theories of justice, which he ranges along a spectrum, as shown in the illustration above:

1. Libertarian, with its emphasis on freedom,
2. Liberal, with its emphasis on fairness,
3. Utilitarian, with its emphasis on happiness, and
4. Postmodern, with its emphasis on power.

To each he offers a "quick biblical analysis." Here is an excerpt:

While we are not to show partiality to any (Leviticus 19:15), we are to have special concern for the powerless (Isaiah 1:17; Psalm 41:1). This is not a contradiction. Proverbs 31:8-9 says “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” The Bible doesn’t say “speak up for the rich and powerful,” not because they are less important as persons before God, but because they don’t need you to do this. The playing field is not level and if we don’t advocate for the poor there will not be equality. In this aspect of justice, we are seeking to give more social, financial, and cultural capital (power) to those with less. Jeremiah 22:3 says “Protect the person who is being cheated from the one who is mistreating… foreigners, orphans, or widows…” Jeremiah is singling out for protection groups of people who can’t protect themselves from mistreatment the way others can. (cf. Zechariah 7:9-10)

Some will perhaps object that Keller's is not a high-powered scholarly analysis. Nevertheless, I believe he does a great job of expressing the complexities of biblical justice and its alternatives in such a way as to reach the average educated reader. I especially appreciate his balanced approach, avoiding the over-heated rhetoric that often accompanies discussions of justice and its implications.

In the interest of honesty and self-disclosure, I should indicate that Keller on more than one occasion has endorsed my Political Visions and Illusions, something for which I am profoundly grateful. So I suppose I am returning the favour by recommending this excellent essay to readers interested in grappling with the meaning and implications of justice.