Justice that expresses God’s character
Jubilee Centre March 18th, 2009
Which institution in Zambia has been the most influential guide in the molding of our national conscience? Is it the University of Zambia, or the military training institutes, or schools, or the church? Who has trained most of our opinion makers on the standards of what is right and wrong? The conviction and sentencing to prison terms of the former army commander, his deputy, the air force commander and the wife of our former president has lead us to ask these difficult questions. Also, the fact that the former president and the former chief of intelligence are still attending court cases related to theft demands that our nation reflect on what principles and values guide our criminal justice system.
Zambia is a religious nation. The three former republican presidents have all publicly confessed of their faith in Christ Jesus. From what we know about each of them we can say that the church has played a role in the way they have led government and lived their private life. We can also say that Christianity and the Bible permeated their motivation to transform laws, customs, public policy, and culture during their tenure of office. A good example of this is how the government has been appointing Chaplains in the prisons, the army, air force and police service to encourage Christian beliefs and practices among the staff in these institutions.
If our leaders believe in God who is revealed in the Bible why is it that corruption and abuse of office has become the greatest moral scar on our nation? Some of our leaders who have been recently convicted are also church leaders. We are not suggesting by any means that Christians do not sin. Christians do sin. However, when God exposes our sin He also demands that we repent and restitute where there is need.
In the Bible justice requires that offenders take responsibility in four areas:
1. Repent and become useful members of society,
2. Acknowledge and restore the harm done,
3. Accept legal consequences, and
4. Address factors that may have contributed to their criminal behavior.
When offenders take responsibility the outcome of a justice will include restitution of what was stolen, restoration of relationship, rights and dignity of offenders, their victims and communities. Furthermore, this process must assure that all including the poor, the orphans and vulnerable children and the marginalized experience results that restore their dignity and well-being.
These criminal cases have provided an opportunity for the church to address factors that contribute to criminal behavior by people we look to give examples of what is caring and loving leadership. They have provided an opportunity to lobby for institutional framework to stop the endemic. If we are a Christian nation we need a criminal justice system that facilitates for repentance for wrong doing (Eph.4: 28), insures punishment for wrongdoer (Roman 13:4-5), seeks restitution (Exodus 22
) and addresses factors that contribute to criminal behavior (Daniel 5:22-24). Let us call for a justice that expresses God’s character.
Lawrence Temfwe
Army Wives is a great drama tv series and i watch it often after my day job.:,’
Army Wives gives us an idea of the life of the wive of the fighting soldier.:*`