Ideological Supreme Court Justices

The title phrase has been in the headlines recently as the high court listened to arguments relative to the ‘Affordable Health Care Act’. The title words are also the epitome of oxymora. It is accepted that 4 of the 9 Supreme Court justices lean to the left while 4 lean to the right leaving 1 to represent the ‘middle of the road’ or the ‘swing’ vote.

The Supreme Court is the final word whether an issue is in line with or at odds with the constitution of the United States. One of the Supreme Court justices, i.e. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has recently voiced her opinion that the constitution is not presently adequate for modern progressivism. In addition, there are issues brought before the highest court that are totally anti-scriptural. That brings to the foreground the question, does the Bible trump the constitution of the United States and the opinions of Supreme Court justices, or is the Bible irrelevant and outdated for today. Once again, each individual is free to have and express their opinion.

For those who believe the Bible is relevant, there are numerous Scripture references to reinforce their position. The Bible presents the argument that the ultimate benchmark for justice is the righteousness of God and the role of ultimate judge has been given to Christ.

“…because He (God) has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31

The Apostle John revealed that the future judgment of Christ will not be compromised, argued, or negotiated.

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges…” Revelation 19:11

Note that in both of the preceding passages Christ will judge the world and all its citizens in righteousness. Righteousness in the Greek means that which is just and right according to God and it covers much more than that contained in our constitution. For example, while coveting and adultery are forbidden according to God’s righteous laws, such activities are not forbidden by the constitution.

Further consider that even though an issue such as abortion is absolute according to God, Supreme Court justices will consider such an issue based on their individual ideological framework.

Another major tenet in the Bible is the impartiality of God in judgment. There is no such thing as leaning to the left or to the right. Consider in our legal system, an issue may be litigated on several levels. The decision may vary at each level until it reaches the Supreme Court. According to the Bible an issue is either right or wrong; it is either just or unjust. It either meets God’s standard or it doesn’t. There are no external circumstances that affect the issue, i.e. there is no partiality with God.

The precept of partiality is found numerous times in the Scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments.

“You shall appoint judges…and they shall judge the people with just judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality…You shall follow what is altogether just…” Deuteronomy 16:18-20

King Solomon confirmed the above instructions in his Proverbs.

“It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.” Proverbs 18:5

Then Jesus reinforced the same teaching.

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

The argument is summarized succinctly by Paul.

“…For there is no partiality with God.” Romans 2:11

Through the ages up to and including the present, the issue of partiality in judging has been recognized.

“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations.” Psalms 82:2, 8

In summary, the Bible states that partiality in our court system will continue until the righteous Judge arrives and all wrongs will be made right.

And the benchmark for judgment will be the righteousness of God which no man on his own can attain.

Houston, we have a problem.

The Cross: God's Love or God's Wrath

For those who believe in God and trust the Bible as God’s revelation of Himself, the population of the world is divided into just two categories, i.e. those who will spend eternity in God’s presence and those who will not. Let it be said from the onset, this column is not anti anything, but rather is meant to shed light on the Bible’s most bedrock teaching.

Perhaps the most widely known and memorized verse in all the scriptures is found in the Gospel of John.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (whosoever) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The context for this statement by Jesus summarizes His conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus is explaining to Nicodemus how to obtain everlasting life. Three times in the third chapter of John before the 16th verse Jesus uses the term ‘verily, verily’ or ‘most assuredly’. This is translated from the Greek amen meaning a most certain and infallible truth. John 3:16 then is a summation of man’s opportunity for the salvation offering or the acceptance of God’s gift. Recall that the word ‘for’ summarizes the preceding statements.

The word ‘so’ in John 3:16 is a measure of magnitude. Synonyms include much, exceedingly, or vehemently.

The phrase ‘His only begotten Son’ confirms the deity of Jesus. The term ‘whoever’ signifies that the opportunity for everlasting life is universal and offered as a gift to all mankind. He ‘gave’.

The term ‘believe’ is much more than intellectual assent. The word is from the Greek pistis and synonyms include faith and trust. Individuals are required to place their total trust for eternal life on the vicarious death of Christ while recognizing their own total impotence to earn such status.

The word ‘life’ in the term ‘everlasting life’ means eternal life with God and begins for true believers the instant they place their trust for that life in the person and work of Christ.

The alternative to everlasting life is ‘perish’ from the Greek apollumi which means destruction or destined to eternal death. In no way does ‘perish’ indicate cessation of being. Physical death never ends man’s existence.

Those who take lightly or reject God’s free gift will have chosen to face God on their own merits.

The Israelites were given similar freedom of choice.

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God…to keep His commandments…Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…” Deuteronomy 30:15-19

Those who choose to reject God’s gift of mercy and grace will experience His wrath which is required due to His innate attribute of justness.

“Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment…will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he has sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace…It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:28-31

As the Easter (pascha, or Passover) season approaches, all mankind is reminded that Jesus Christ was the Passover ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’!

The efficacy of Christ’s vicarious death was affirmed by His glorious and undisputable resurrection from the grave!

And though the Passover Lamb was humble and obedient to His Father even unto death, His humility will turn into power. Many have difficulty equating a humble and gentle Lamb with wrath.

“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men…the mighty men…said…hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelation 6:15-17

The Lamb of God will return to earth as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to reclaim and restore all that He paid for on the cross.

Have a deeply meaningful Passover and a glorious celebration of His resurrection!