August 1, 2015 Editor

Judging

This piece kind of just willed out.

An excerpt:
I recently spent extended time with several relatives. I listened to severe condemnations of a range of persons and person-types (homosexuals for instance). I’m part of an extended family that demonstrates extreme intolerance and judgmentalism towards certain others in their ideas and beliefs: religious beliefs for instance. I jokingly call this phenomenon “relativism”. It got me thinking of late…

Jesus’ terse command is how this reflection began. Several translations include rightly a note of (forensic) condemnation. Another observation I make, more generally, is that indulgence in condemnation does not a happy camper make! It seems in fact direct inverse of the fruit of the Spirit which is: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Jesus was onto something ubiquitous in the human condition when he said “Judge not.” We miss out, if we miss it.

Please click on: Judging

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Editor

Wayne Northey was Director of Man-to-Man/Woman-to-Woman – Restorative Christian Ministries (M2/W2) in British Columbia, Canada from 1998 to 2014, when he retired. He has been active in the criminal justice arena and a keen promoter of Restorative Justice since 1974. He has published widely on peacemaking and justice themes. You will find more about that on this website: a work in progress.

Always appreciate constructive feedback! Thanks.