Christianity And Justitia – AYF Akure Mama
INTRODUCTION
At the entrance of every judicial building and all the courts in Nigeria and in other countries, you will see a statue or picture of a blind-folded woman with a sword in one hand and scales in another. The statue is referred to as ‘Lady Justice’ in modern day parlance. However she is the Roman Goddess ‘Justitia’, who is equivalent to the Greek Goddess Dike. Justitia is an allegorical personification of the moral force in the judicial system.
In her depictions, there are (3) three symbolic representations:
Blindfolded
Lady Justice is always blindfolded. The blindfolds symbolizes the fact that Justice should be impartial and not favor any party. Being blind enforces the neutrality; the idea is when you can’t see who they are, you can’t be partial to either.
Scales
Upon the scales, Justitia measures the strengths of a case’s support and opposition. It is referred to as scale of Justice.
Double-edged sword
She carries a double-edged sword, symbolizing the power of reason and justice which may be wielded either for or against any party.
There is therefore a Latin maxim that says ‘Fiat Justitia Ruat Caelum’- let there be justice. That is all she stands for.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the above highlighted means let there be justice though the heavens fall. It calls for urgent necessity of Justice.
JUSTICE/JUSTITIA
The Legal definition of Justice which is the core call of Justitia according to the Black’s Law Dictionary is “the constant and perpetual disposition to render every man his due … It consists in rendering to every man the exact measure of his dues, without regard to his personal worth or merits, i.e. placing all men on an equality.
Religious definition of Justice is the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness or moral rightness: to uphold the Justice of a cause.
Biblical Justice involves making individuals, communities and the Cosmos; whole by upholding both goodness and impartiality.
Justice stands at the center of true religion (Christianity). It was recorded in James 1:27 that “pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”.
“The righteous cares about Justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern” Proverb 29:7
The theology of Justice flows from the heart of God.
CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who is the focal point of Christian faith.
Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of ‘dos and don’ts’, the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 15:1-4
Christianity is the way of life of every believer in Christ Jesus. It is not just by profession of mouth but by actions, attitude metamorphosing into Character becoming a lifestyle.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JUSTICE AND CHRISTIANITY.
Justice and Christianity are intertwined because justice is what Christ stands for and so, every Christian ought to seek justice and do justice. It is the duty of Christians to seek justice in every area of life for those who are ‘helpless and cheated’, even for the upright and strong ones.
The bible teaches in the book of Isaiah 58:2-7(although it relates to fasting, but surely we fast to grow spiritually as a person living a life of Christ who surely stands for Justice and Mercy) that what God has chosen is for us to loose bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, to break every yoke, to deal your bread to the hungry, bring in the poor that are cast out and cover the naked in addition to our profession as true followers of Christ.
This is pure Christianity!