Pondering a Forgotten Virtue: Vengeance...

Michie

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Most of us think that vengeance is merely a vice. And, given improper intentions, or excess or misguided application, it can indeed be a sin and a vice. However, as we read in Scripture, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord, I will repay” (Rom 12:19). Or again, as St. Thomas Aquinas notes, the scriptures assure: “Will not God avenge His elect who cry to Him day and night?” (Lk 18:7). But if vengeance is only a vice and an evil, then how can God attribute vengeance to himself. God does nothing evil. Hence in vengeance there is the possibility of virtue and that which is good. St. Thomas treats of vengeance under his treatise on Justice. Hence, vengeance is a special virtue in service of justice.

To be sure, only God is perfectly assured of using vengeance in a good way all the time. We ought to be slow to attribute vengeance as a virtue among ourselves except under very clear circumstances and proper dispositions. As usual St. Thomas does a very good job of spelling out the qualities and circumstances necessary for vengeance to be operative as a lawful and as a virtue:

Vengeance consists in the infliction of a penal evil (i.e. punishment) on one who has sinned. Accordingly, in the matter of vengeance, we must consider the mind of the avenger. For if his intention is directed chiefly to the evil of the person on whom he takes vengeance and rests there, then his vengeance is altogether unlawful: because to take pleasure in another’s evil belongs to hatred, which is contrary to the charity whereby we are bound to love all men. Nor is it an excuse that he intends the evil of one who has unjustly inflicted evil on him, as neither is a man excused for hating one that hates him: for a man may not sin against another just because the latter has already sinned against him, since this is to be overcome by evil, which was forbidden by the Apostle, who says: “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good (Romans 12:21).”

If, however, the avenger’s intention be directed chiefly to some good, to be obtained by means of the punishment of the person who has sinned (for instance that the sinner may amend, or at least that he may be restrained and others be not disturbed, that justice may be upheld, and God honored), then vengeance may be lawful, provided other due circumstances be observed. (ST II, IIae, 108.1)

And while the Scriptures quoted above generally refer vengeance to God, Thomas notes that it sometimes falls to those with authority to execute it on behalf of God:

Continued below.
 

WarriorAngel

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1. God will not intervene to assist evil doers. Eventually they will find themselves in need of help.
a. If they remain obstinate they remain helpless?​
b. what you put out comes back. It's just as He said, treat others as you wish to be treated.​
c. His guidance in evil doing is absent so people reap what they sow.​

2. At death all their evil cannot stand near Him.
a. they will either purge a long time.​
b. they will be perma separated.​

3. God does not actively have to do anything, but He 'removes His face from them.' OT and does not aid them.
4. Their free will to do harm is taking on what breaks a friendship or hope with the Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:20
20 And he said, 'I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.
20 He said, 'I will abandon them; then see what becomes of them.'
 
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WarriorAngel

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Another example: the S&G twin cities who became so depraved they were willing to rape.
Therefore; they could not be spared the 'natural disaster' the Lord allowed.
For the flood was so wickedness would not continue.
Again, took His hand of protection from them all.

If we opt to grieve the Lord, He may opt to allow the worst natural disasters take their course.
However; that said, it's LACK of Him and His protection that causes the worst of things to happen.
 
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