If we suppose that divine justice is a matter of punishing evil doers, then it would be regarded as unjust for God to pardon the sins of any rather than reckon all condemned. But the biblical concept of divine justice is not that of a punitive, punishing justice but of a healing, restorative justice.
I'm going to stop you right there. The existence of hell in Christian theology is that of a place of eternal punishment of sin. It is not a corrections institute. You've all been very clear about that. God is presented as a judge of sin or crime. That suggests punishment as a means of justice.
The justice of God is revealed in the reality of sinners pardoned, and set right (iustitia) with God and one another. St. Paul in Romans 1 says that by the Gospel the justice of God is revealed. By this the apostle does not mean that justice by which sinners are condemned to hell, but rather that justice by which sinners are reconciled to God. That is, are justified, are made just.
And how does that make God just?
This is the merciful and gracious justice of God
One cannot be merciful and just.
which is the kind of justice which the Bible frequently points to when talking about God's justice. God's justice by which the weak are protected, the sick made well, the hungry fed, and the sinner forgiven. God's justice is about the healing of the world, not the condemnation of the world.
But the weak are not protected, the sick are still sick, the hungry are still hungry, and sinners are sent directly to hell...unless they're not.
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