Wednesday 6 August 2014

Original Justice according to Saints and Princes



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.

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