Original Justice:
To
theologians Original justice is defined as the human condition before original
sin destroyed the perfect harmony, between creature and Creator, between man
and woman, as well as the first human couple and all of creation.
Adam and Eve held a special
participation and esteemed place in the earthly paradise of the Garden of Eden.
The glue that held this utopian harmony together was God’s intimacy. Without
this, creation was left in disorder, confusion and a finite existence.
This
is all well established theology in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
However, is it feasible to assume these principles that form the history of
humanity, can possibly explain the very worst of human behaviour as well as the
very best? To be more precise the inexplicable ideologies of hate like Racism
and anti-Semitism to the more mild symptoms of narcissism, all with the innate
capacity to cause violence and murder to the innocent!
The
faith of the faithful, whom are often martyred by hate regimes, hold the Word
of God in the highest esteem. The Bible is a means of living our lives in a way
that leads to being with God in spirit. Therefore, if occurrences and events of
human history can be explained using sound faith and reason prescribed by Holy
Scripture, then religion could be viewed as a means not a end to moral justice.
Human Nature:
All
the evil in the world is caused by Original sin. Adam and Eve committed a
personal sin, but this sin affected our human nature. Sin propagates
all mankind within every person’s nature. A nature deprived of its original
holiness and justice.
The
universality of the book of Genesis tells us that Adam and Eve were given
dominion over creation, to tend and nurture it. Undoubtedly that this grace was
initially given as a sign of great love for man and woman made in His own image
and likeness. But original sin severed this special bond, for God to remove
Himself from tending to our needs and wants. By breaching this Original justice
humanity is sentenced with affliction throughout their mortal lives. Although,
Genesis describes the effects on body and creation, the book of Revelation
mentions the curse to our souls when chapter 12:17 states: “Then the
dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her
offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to
Jesus.”
So how does this affect our day to day lives?
The Cain Effect:
Cain’s
relationship with his brother manifests how this love for God, hatred of
sanctity, collides. Often in pain and suffering, and even death. After
God favours Abel’s offering, Cain tricks his only brother to go to a remote
place where he slays him in apparent rage of envy. God confronts Cain, like He
did with Adam, “What have you done?” Cain responds with a question “I
do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?” God punishes Cain and in time
answers the question through His only Son Jesus Christ.
What
is particularly telling from the wrongdoer’s response is their sense of
justice! that implies 'Am I not entitled innocence!' The serpent lied to Eve in
the Garden when he said your eyes will be opened and you will be like
gods. Trick them to believe that a new level of privilege and status
amongst all creation is possible if you only break God's commandment. At Babel
their descendants attempted to realise this pledge in exile in the wilderness,
but is refuted by the true God.
One can
draw the conclusion that this tainted special relationship in the eyes of the
Almighty encompasses having the perception of not being able to do no wrong! Cain murders his younger brother because his mentality is in a state of extreme privilege.
God loves
mankind to such an extent that our nature is spoilt by entitlement. And God
empowers his highest ranked archangel to such a degree that he becomes jealous
of his competition, mankind.
God
doesn't take anything away from this state of original justice as punishment.
Consequently, Cain displays the first narcissistic tendency as a murderer of his male sibling of righteousness.
Leading to Babel where his descendants signal their unrighteous intentions.
The Babel Effect:
The story
of Babel highlights man’s desire to find eternal harmony in the kingdom of
Heaven, by using his own means and will. Genesis chapter 11 says “the whole
earth had one language and few words”. They appeared to operate on a belief
of if superior creatures from space ever visited earth, the first question they
will ask, in order to assess the level of civilisation, is “Have you built a
city and a tower to reach the heavens yet?” So God comes down from heaven.
He saw what was afoot and caused them such bewilderment that they dispersed
leaving their self-esteemed plans incomplete. The path to power and glory is
thwarted through confusion.
The
key to the mystery of Babel is in the word ‘language’. To read the
passage in the context of “language of faith in man”, the errors of
man’s ways are revealed. Reassuringly, when God finds a problem He
goes on to provide a solution! The remedy to Babel in particular is religion
and the Church, established in the Upper room at Pentecost (Act 2:1-7).
Light
begins to shine in the darkness of confusion, as the language of faith in
God embodied through the Holy Spirit is poured out (ccc.239). Acts 2:1-6).
This
is why sins against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29) cannot be
forgiven because it represents an affront of the will of God and hence forms
a crime against natural justice. Crimes like Racism, Anti-Semitism, and other
ideologies of based on hatred and the lie.
The
universality of natural justice is established when Jesus defeats death on the
Cross with love and obedience of God’s will.
Original Justice according to a Saint:
This
perspective is summed up in a sentence by one of the greatest saints to serve
the Church;
"All
our justice is stained in Your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice
and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Yourself.
I want no other Throne, no other Crown but You, my Beloved!"
St Therese
of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.
Original Justice according to a
Narcissist:
To a
narcissist the senses of reality, collectively are rooted within 'Original'
justice and distorted in original sin, indicative of the actions of Cain
and possess all the ambition of the peoples of Babel. Niccolò Machiavelli's book "The Prince" is an insightful example of a Cain-like attitude to your neighbour and the other in realms of politics and business.
The disorder of a Narcissistic Personality involves arrogant behavior, a lack of empathy for other people, and a need for admiration-all of which must be consistently evident at work and in relationships. People who are narcissistic are frequently described as cocky, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding. Narcissists may concentrate on unlikely personal outcomes (e.g., fame) and may be convinced that they deserve special treatment. Related Personality Disorders: Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic. Narcissism is a less extreme version of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Narcissism involves cockiness, manipulativeness, selfishness, power motives, and vanity-a love of mirrors. Related personality traits include: Psychopathy, Machiavellianism.
Narcissists tend to have high self-esteem. However, narcissism is not the same thing as self-esteem; people who have high self-esteem are often humble, whereas narcissists rarely are. It was once thought that narcissists have high self-esteem on the surface, but deep down they are insecure. However, the latest evidence indicates that narcissists are actually secure or grandiose at both levels. Onlookers may infer that insecurity is there because narcissists tend to be defensive when their self-esteem is threatened (e.g., being ridiculed); narcissists can be aggressive. The sometimes dangerous lifestyle may more generally reflect sensation-seeking or impulsivity (e.g. bullying, risky sex, bold financial decisions).
The most
distinct feature of a soul remote from God is their belief of ownership of
creation and denial of the Creator as opposed to the Faithful who are servants
of God’s will. Particular examples are the principles of Communism and of
Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites have freedom (Exodus 4:21).
Their
hearts are cold and hardened to emotion. Power and authority is
their heart's desire.
The
events of the holocaust demonstrates such a psyche and thirst for a
warped sense of justice that serves the sinners whim for power, wealth and
discrimination to the detriment of the presumed inferior.
Conclusion:
The
misconception of the impact of Original Sin upon humanity I feel is a major
oversight by theologians and philosophers. Wars, conflicts, discrimination and
ideologies of hated are self-evident reminders of as our Lord describes the
phenomenon as the bursting of “old wineskins”. Genesis 3:21 describes our first parents being clothed in animal fur to cover their exposed and rebellious indignation.
Jesus
Christ becomes our new wineskin that holds both old and new wine (Matt
9:16-17) produced from fruits in God’s vineyard (Luke 20:9-19).
As we
celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration we consider the new cloak of
He who is Justice itself. Who radiates the magnificent splendour and
glory of “the Man” made in God’s image and likeness (Luke 9:29). The
"Cornerstone" of all creation, and it's journey toward our beloved destiny.
