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¶ … Judaic, Christian and Islamic Concept of a "Just Society"
Despite their common Abrahamic origins, the various concepts of a "just society" as presented by the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Qur'an have been the source of debate for millennia, a debate that remains unresolved today. In order to identify the issues concerning this debate with more precision, this paper reviews selected relevant passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Qur'an to determine how each characterizes the concept of a "just society." Finally, a summary of the research and a discussion concerning the ways in which these three texts are similar and different in their approach to their conceptualizations of a just society conclude the paper.
Analysis and Discussion
A Just Society as Conceptualized by the Old Testament
The Old Testament contains specific guidance concerning how people should live and treat each other in order to create and sustain a just society as stipulated by the Ten Commandments. For instance, both Exodus[footnoteRef:2] and Deuteronomy[footnoteRef:3] mandate that, among the other commandments, that humankind must not murder, commit adultery, steal, give false testimony or covet anything belonging to their neighbors. These types of "golden rules" are obviously necessary elements of any just society, and their violations have been the source of conflicts between humans since antiquity. In addition, Exodus even includes a restorative justice element that is a common feature of modern just societies by requiring "[an] eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." [footnoteRef:4] [2: Ex. 20:1-17, NIV.] [3: Deut. 5:4-21, NIV.] [4: Ex. 21.24, NIV.]
Likewise, in Genesis, God also makes it clear that humans occupy a special place in the universe: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image"[footnoteRef:5] and shortly thereafter in He adds, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'"[footnoteRef:6] Because the Creator is perfect, the heavenly society created on earth must also be a...
Moreover, to the extent that humans abide by this fundamental guidance concerning the basic tenets of a just society by honor the Word of God is the extent to which they receive His blessings. In this regard, the Old Testament also stipulates in part that, "Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained."[footnoteRef:7] While Jesus repeats many of these commandments in the New Testament with reference to a just society, He expands on some of these issues as discussed below. [5: Gen. 1-24, NIV.] [6: Gen. 1-27, NIV.] [7: 1 Sam. 30, NIV.]
A Just Society as Conceptualized by the New Testament
Early on, Jesus reiterates the guidance contained in the Ten Commandments and emphasizes that he does not intend to "abolish the Law or the Prophets"[footnoteRef:8] but adds that love is an integral part of any just society: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven."[footnoteRef:9] Likewise, other parts of the New Testament are also replete with references to what constituent elements are needed for a justice society. For example, Jesus states that a truly just society also requires communal support for those in need,[footnoteRef:10] forgiveness of transgressions by others,[footnoteRef:11] trust that the Lord will provide[footnoteRef:12] and the proscription against judging others.[footnoteRef:13] Similarly, Jesus returns to the requirement to provide support for those in need in tangible ways as well as in spiritually. In this regard, He states, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."[footnoteRef:14] [8: Matt. 5-17, NIV.] [9: Matt. 5-43:45, NIV.] [10: Matt. 6-1. NIV.] [11: Matt. 6-5, NIV.] [12: Matt. 6-28, NIV.] [13: Matt. 7-1, NIV.] [14: 1 Jn. 3:17-18, NIV.]
Likewise, Jesus emphasizes that earthly demonstrations of concern for fellow human…
References
Shakin, M. H., transl. Holy Quran, London, 1985.
The Holy Bible, New International Version, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
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