I reflected on this topic briefly in a recent essay. I think many of us are thinking about justice and mercy as political tensions increase. You put it all together for me in this one, adding the academic/literary connection I needed and your specialty of defining words. There is comfort in knowing that this has been an age-old topic of discussion. Excellent, as always.
Ah! I went and found your essay and am linking it here. It’s so good! And I LOVE (of course) that you connected to George Herbert’s “Easter Wings.”
I get that it’s HARD to find the balance between justice and mercy and what that looks like. But I don’t get the Christians who want to complicate or play word games with what the Bible makes clear.
Whenever I see reference to this current trend of calling empathy a 'sin', I hear the words of James, the Lord's brother: "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13)
Portia's speech is some of the loveliest language in all of Shakespeare. Your essay was Very Aristotelian. I enjoyed it.
Thank you, David! I do love Aristotle. And Shakespeare! I agree with your assessment of this speech.
I reflected on this topic briefly in a recent essay. I think many of us are thinking about justice and mercy as political tensions increase. You put it all together for me in this one, adding the academic/literary connection I needed and your specialty of defining words. There is comfort in knowing that this has been an age-old topic of discussion. Excellent, as always.
Ah! I went and found your essay and am linking it here. It’s so good! And I LOVE (of course) that you connected to George Herbert’s “Easter Wings.”
I get that it’s HARD to find the balance between justice and mercy and what that looks like. But I don’t get the Christians who want to complicate or play word games with what the Bible makes clear.
https://open.substack.com/pub/christianmeatloaf/p/walking-humbly?r=90e4e&utm_medium=ios
I only learn from the best Karen. That poem has meant so much to me since I first read it in your newsletter.
Whenever I see reference to this current trend of calling empathy a 'sin', I hear the words of James, the Lord's brother: "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13)
That right there is the gold standard, isn’t it Holly? And it’s so crystal clear. So plainly written. How can it be debatable?