Kant

NOTE TO A FRIEND

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My wife, Laurie, and I have some wonderful neighbors here in Brookings, Oregon. I have had some great one-on-one chats with one of them. Following is written correspondence with him which I thought might be helpful to some of my readers:

“Virtually every world religion (except for Christianity) is based, fundamentally, on a works/ merit system whereby we earn our way so to speak. Indeed, some observers of Kantian logic conclude that if “justice” is in fact coming, hopefully when we stand before the “Judge” (whoever or whatever he/it may be), the goodwill outweigh the bad in our life and we’ll be “in” (whatever “in” means!).

“I’m convinced we typically don’t go far enough with our pondering the depravity of man. Our ethical and moral “measuring stick” is usually some other role model, some person, etc. that we compare ourselves with. From my Christian perspective, we can’t even begin to understand the depth of our shortcomings (sins if you will) and our need for a Savior until we are confronted with the demands of God as He has revealed them in His commandments and statutes.

“This is why exposure to the Old Testament Law (Leviticus-Deuteronomy specifically) is necessary: The Law wasn’t given as the way to God; its purpose was to reveal His standard of righteousness. After reading just  a few pages (even simply the Ten Commandments!) it’s plain to see that everybody sins, everybody falls short. God gave the Law, all the while knowing man could not fulfill it on His own. It served as a tutor if you will, pointing us to Someone who could perform all the Law requires, a Messiah. Enter Jesus! He alone fulfilled all God’s righteous requirements.

“In a nutshell: Christ’s righteousness is given, imputed to us by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (e.g., Romans 3:20-31; II Corinthians 5:21 in the New Testament).

“When what Jesus did on the cross (took our just punishment upon Himself) is clearly understood, it’s pretty easy to surrender one’s life to Him in loving gratitude and allegiance.”

JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

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I’m sure you’d agree that injustice is rampant! This can cause us to wonder if “things” can or will ever be set right.

A significant contributor to Western thought was the eighteenth-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Kant observed that all mankind has an innate sense of right and wrong. This inner judicial system drives our actions and decisions. This sense of  right and wrong inclines us  to make laws, to punish criminals, etc. This in turn helps prevent society from escalating toward total anarchy.

Kant also maintained that conforming to a system of fixed ethics makes sense only if justice will surely come. In other words, we’ll live by a set of moral principles only if we know that there is reward coming for those who do right and punishment for those who do wrong.

Of course, Kant was aware that justice is imperfect in this life: We sometimes see wrongs not punished and rights not rewarded. Therefore, as someone has aptly put it: Justice will prevail only if there is life beyond death, only if there is a perfect Judge who will right all wrongs that  do not get rectified or are only imperfectly rectified before death; if there is no afterlife, no final judgment, there isn’t much incentive for not doing whatever we want whenever we want.

Here’s the good news: Christ’s resurrection guarantees the believers’ (i.e., those who have placed their faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sin) resurrection — and thereby proves there will be a final judgment where justice will prevail (see I Corinthians 15:20-28,50-58).

So, be of good cheer: The Bible teaches that a day of perfect justice is in fact coming! Those of us who live by faith in the resurrected Savior can take heart when wearied in the fight for what is right because we believe our efforts are not, ultimately, futile. God will in fact reward all who choose His path in this life.