Authentic vs Synthetic Justice

Synthesis Psalms 82:1-84:7 1/12/2022 

The psalmist described the difference between divine and earthly justice. However, he described earthly justice as injustice compared to divine justice.  

And coincidently, he described the practitioners of divine justice as “gods”. Alternatively, he described practitioners of earthly justice as fallen gods, who will die like all mortal beings.  

With curious continuity, the next psalm describes how no other nation has ever really been faithful to Israel. Many nations have entered and exited alliances. But, in all its history, no nation has remained steadfast toward Israel for very long.  

Authentic vs Synthetic Justice 

Beginning with Abraham and Nimrod, the scriptures speak of the difference between Authentic Community and Synthetic Community. The Authentic Community is based in love for God and for men. But Synthetic Communities are based on a negotiated contract between men on the basis of what seems best to them at the time of their agreement.  

Knowing this, the psalmist pointed out that God vested the Authentic Community with an eternal and absolute moral standard. Conversely, man-created synthetic communities have constantly changing standards of justice that are rarely in harmony with the Authentic Community.  So, in this sense, they represent synthetic justice. These are neither eternal nor absolute. 

“Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated^* and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” John 10:34-36