Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 94
? SIN AND DIVINE JUSTICE 87 Another question arises here. If sin is committed but is not accountable, where is the justice of God? Justice is the second pillar of the theory of vicarious atonement, and it is asserted that if God did not punish men for their sins, he would not be just. The point here is that the mere change of label does not change the reality of a thing. A person commits theft, but we say, there would be no punishment for him, as the law of Moses is not there yet. As against him there is another person guilty of the same offence. We declare him to be an inmate of eternal hell, for the simple reason that the law of Moses finds him guilty. The nature of the act is the same; this one lifted property as did the other. We do not declare the act of the first as an offence, as the law of Moses (peace be on him) is not there yet, but we condemn the other, for the simple reason that the law of Moses (peace be on him) is in force. We leave alone the one and arraign the other while both have committed the same act. Where lies the justice and whence the equity that permits this? Let us take another instance, that of lying or of oppressing others. If we do not forbid these acts or do not condemn a person for lying or oppressing others, how can one who commits these acts be a righteous and clean-minded person? How can a thief, a liar and a wrong-doer become righteous minded, for the simple reason that we did not