What is justice? How does one determine it or recognize it? Is there anything that objectively defines that which so many claim to want? What about society? How does a healthy society function? Are there immutable principles that underlie society and justice? Is anything true always and everywhere?
This review of four Old Testament passages (Genesis 2-3, I Kings 3:16-28 and 21, and Malachi 3:6-12) highlights eight universal fundamentals of society and justice. While the characters and stories in these passages are quite familiar to many, a deeper look reveals archetypal threads woven throughout the fabric of ancient history and recorded in the scrolls that eventually comprised these Judeo-Christian scriptures. Comparative studies of other religious texts, as well as various cultures and histories (African, American, American Indian, Asian, Australian, Aztec, European, Greek, Middle Eastern, Roman, tribal groups, and more) affirm commonalities and repeated distinctives always true and applicable anytime anywhere.
Debates and disputes abound near and far pertaining to abortion, gender, marriage, race, and sexuality; arts, entertainment, media, and technology; the economy, healthcare, immigration, pandemics, taxes, and wars; and elections, government, the justice system, policing, politics, and religion. These eight fundamentals – four related to society in general and the other four related to justice in particular – can help inform discussions and decisions in all these areas and more. Ultimately, this review affirms the timeless relevance of the Old Testament scriptures across ancient history, into modernity, and beyond.