Christianity and Judgment

Abstract Judgments are acts of evaluation, ways of distinguishing between right and wrong. A good judgment is a moment of truth in which is disclosed how the affected parties deserve to be treated. The Bible is full of both divine judgments and examples of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Christianity teaches that God has authorized human authorities to issue such judgments as are necessary to maintain social peace. Indeed, Christianity makes judgment the justification for, and central activity of, rulers. Judgments are pronouncements on existing actions and states of affairs. Christianity recognizes that retribution is a natural response to wrongdoing but urges rulers to seek restoration wherever possible. From the time of Augustine onward, many church leaders have urged rulers to be as merciful as they can be, consistent with maintaining public order and confidence. Good judgments vindicate and condemn in appropriate measure, defend social order, and so open up possibilities for human flourishing. Christian teaching warns against the dangers of vindictiveness, bias, and hypocrisy in judgments. Because rulers are fallen human beings, and because the Last Judgment has not yet happened, there are limits on the judgments that rulers may pass. Christian teaching and practice stress that rulers should pronounce judgment only on issues in which the public good is at stake. Moreover, rulers should be mindful of the possibility of errors in their judgments. Human judgments are provisional, limited, and fallible acts, authorized by the need to protect against violence, resolve disputes, and open up space for flourishing and forgiveness.