Category Archives: justice

Power and Justice

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“On the remedy of the Passion others have said that it is understood in justice and mercy. For our Savior, although He was all powerful, was able to free man (hominem) from the power (potestate) of darkness by the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Cross, justice, medieval, Richard of St Victor, teaching, theology | Leave a comment

Universal Nature and Injustice

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“Injustice is sin. When universal Nature has constituted rational creatures for the sake of each other–to benefit one another as deserved, but never to harm–anyone contravening her will is clearly guilty of sin against the oldest of the gods: because … Continue reading →

Posted in justice, Marcus Aurelius, reason | Leave a comment

God Crowns His Own Gifts

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

One day someone asked Martin Luther whether godly persons should expect merit for their good works that result from their justification.  Luther answered that even the justified were still sinners, who pray for forgiveness and live under grace.  While God … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, justice, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

The Laws of Tyrants

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“Most foolish of all is the belief that everything decreed by the institutions or laws of a particular country is just.  What if the laws are the laws of tyrants?  If the notorious Thirty* had wished to impose their laws … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, government, justice | Leave a comment

Never Trust a Mob

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“We dare not encourage the mob very much.  It goes mad too quickly…And it is better for tyrants to wrong them a hundred times than for the mob to treat the tyrant unjustly but once.  If injustice is to be … Continue reading →

Posted in government, justice, Martin Luther, Politics | Leave a comment

True Law and Genuine Justice

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“For there is a fellowship that is extremely widespread, shared by all with all (even if this has often been said, it ought to be said still more often); a closer one exists among of those of the same nation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, justice | Leave a comment

An Infallible Truth

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“It is an infallible truth that no person is righteous unless he believes in God, as stated in Rom. 1 [:17]: ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’  Likewise, ‘He who does not believe is condemned already” [John 3:18] … Continue reading →

Posted in gospel, grace, justice, Martin Luther, Reformation, theology | Leave a comment

Augustine on Just War

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“What is the evil of war? Is it the death of some who will soon die in any case, that others may live in peaceful subjection? This is merely cowardly dislike, not any religious feeling.  The real evils in war … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, justice, virtue, war | 4 Comments

He Scatters the Peoples Who Delight in War

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“It is not right to start a war just because some silly lord has gotten the idea into his head. At the very outset I want to say that whoever starts a war is in the wrong.  And it is … Continue reading →

Posted in government, justice, Martin Luther, Politics, war | Leave a comment

Dr Luther on the Soldier’s Obedience and Just War

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“A second question: ‘Suppose my lord were wrong in going to war.’  I reply: If you know for sure that he is wrong, then you should fear God rather than men, Acts 4 [5:29], and you should neither fight nor … Continue reading →

Posted in government, justice, Martin Luther, war | Leave a comment