Comments on Mercy!TypePad2013-03-18T14:10:14ZRick Garnetthttps://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2013/03/mercy/comments/atom.xml/Joel Clarke Gibbons commented on 'Mercy!'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e2017ee98ce6cd970d2013-03-19T14:52:42Z2013-03-20T20:36:30ZJoel Clarke Gibbonshttp://www.logisticresearch.comThis is a very deep story for lawyers and the law. On one level it is a story about divine...<p>This is a very deep story for lawyers and the law. On one level it is a story about divine patience. Not quite divine mercy, because Jesus did not exonerate the woman, his gave her more time. That expresses the capacity of the law to affirm the centrality of guilt and innocence while tempering punishment.</p>
<p>There is something more however. When the Jewish prosecutors brought the woman before him, in effect dragging her before the court of Jesus judgement, he reacted in a very surprising way. He turned the trial into a jury trial. Since the crime in question was a act that undermines the community -- a crime against marital fidelity and against the cohesiveness of the community -- the right judges were the community. Adultery can destroy not only homes and families, but also spread conflict and bitterness throughout the community. Jesus asked the jurors to rule on the exact nature of her offense: had she caused conflict in the village, and they answered that ste had not. Or more precisely, noone answered that she had. </p>
<p>So for her, patience was called for, time to think about the implications of her action and time to change if she was so inclined. This is a new kind of law that Jesus taught: law not only of abstract principles, but law of context and law of ramifications. Law by jury and by seasoned human judgement.</p>
<p>We in America are very good at the law; we are natural lawyers and we are to be commended. Still it is wise of us to return to the roots of concepts like guilt and innocence to keep our feet firmly on the ground.</p>N.D. commented on 'Mercy!'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e2017c37da56e0970b2013-03-18T14:24:59Z2013-03-20T20:36:30ZN.D.And let us not forget that He Who gave us The Spirit of Peace Is Christ.. http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=25597<p>And let us not forget that He Who gave us The Spirit of Peace Is Christ..</p>
<p><a href="http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=25597" rel="nofollow">http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=25597</a></p>