Some Biblical Principles of Judgment and Justice

Mr. Ray Clore gave a sermon at the last year's Feast titled “Some Biblical Principles of Judgment and Justice”. That sermon still resonates with me today, and I found myself deeply moved by the wisdom inherent in the application of the Bible to the code of law. I also recently read an essay by Stephen Chapman titled “The Prisoner’s Dilemma”which compares the application of justice as prescribed by the Koran to justice as dispensed by Western nations. The author noted that while everyone he polled thought that the Islamic punishments were cruel and barbaric, they also preferred the short duration to the giving up of years of freedom as we do here in the states. He comes to the conclusion that while our justice system allows us to feel “smugly self-congratulatory”, it is equally, if not more, barbaric. I have a friend who used to work in the penal system – he’s fully convinced that anyone who’s been in jail for 10 years or more should never be let out. He believes that they’ve become so hardened after that much time in violent, sadistic surroundings that they’re rarely able to be "normal" again. Anyway, if you get the chance to download or check this sermon out, I think it would be well worth your while. According to my notes here are the principles Mr. Clore discussed in his sermon.

1. Go to Brother first
2. Transparency – to be effective, justice must also appear to be just to all
3. “Two or three witnesses” principle to establish truth
4. Fair and impartial judges
5. Do Diligent inquiry to be certain of truth
6. Arrange for accused to face the accusers
7. Do not allow “mob justice”
8. Search for/determine motive for action
9. Use of Biblical standards to determine sin or as foundation for civil laws
10. Caution against collective punishment
11. Criminal should make amends for crime as much as possible
12. Respect the judges/rulers
13. Always consider if mercy is appropriate after a determination of guilt is made
14. Punishment must be swift to be effective
15. Punishment in public for major sins/crimes, so “all Israel will hear and fear”