A Justice Primer

by Douglas Wilson

Christians should know that social justice internet mobs are a far cry from truly Biblical justice that accords with God’s law. But we don’t. Biblical justice requires multiple witnesses, matching stories, and objective facts considered by an appropriate authority.  A Justice Primer is written by two longtime pastors who have worked inside denominations, sessions, and institutions, and who have seen more than their share of controversy where people do not know what the rules are. A whispered conversation is not authoritative. An anonymous comment on a blog is not authoritative. A party of disgruntled church members who “feel abused” is not authoritative. Instead, the key to true justice is due process conducted by wise men who know how to weigh evidence. God is justice, and it is because of His justice that Jesus went to the cross. Therefore, we must care about what justice is and how God says to pursue it.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Politics, Cultural, Christianity, Audiobook

252 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2015

About the author

I write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.

Reviews

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to benefit from this book as much as I did. it was fantastic. This is a much needed book on how to do life together in the church. Do you sometimes hear rumors of this and that? Read this book before you jump to any conclusion. Do you have a blog? Read this. Do you read blogs? Read this book. Are you active in social media? Read this book. Are you a pastor, an elder, a deacon? Read this. Are you part of a church? Read this one. Do you go out and have coffee with friends and discuss the "latest"? Read this book before your next coffee date.
I would say that this book along with Face to Face by Wilkins, and Life Together by Bonhoeffer (in that order) are the most important books to read on how to do life with other Christians .

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of what Biblical justice should look like, including discussions of things like witnesses, jurisdiction, authority, church discipline, sexual abuse, internet mobs, evidence, character of witnesses, due process, motives, anonymous witnesses, and taking a Christian brother to court.

It is not scholarly, but more like a lengthy sermon on what Biblical justice looks like with applications to the 21st century. Pastors, elders, deacons, fathers, and mothers could all benefit greatly from the wisdom in this book.

[Jim Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and helpful.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently and consistently biblical.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to read if you want some insight into why Christ Church / Doug Wilson respond to controversies the way they do. It also will make you realize just how perverted our culutre's idea of justice has become. It is often the opposite of biblical justice.

[Jeremy]

Praise from Kevin DeYoung: "I thought this was a book on social justice, economics, and big picture politics. It's actually a book about how the Bible would have us judge each other (or not) in the mad, mad world of blog warriors and internet vigilantes. This book is full of refreshing wisdom. I hope it reaches a wide audience. And if you already know that Doug Wilson is a good-for-nothing scoundrel (and I don't know him personally and do strongly disagree with him at times), then that's an indication that you really need this book."

In WORLD's April 30, 2016, issue, Emily Belz writes in "Consider the source" that a blogger and a professor uncovered plagiarism problems with this book. Belz buries the fact that after being subjected to high-powered plagiarism detection software, Wilson's contribution to this book came out clean. Belz paints Canon CEO Aaron Rench as a tattler, since he confronted the blogger/professor team, who illegally created a digital copy to run through Turnitin. Belz also fails to mention that the blogger and professor are long-time fussers regarding anything related to Wilson—"consider the source" indeed. Other than that, good reporting.

Comments by Canon Press here. Wilson's comments on the plagiarism issue are here.

Updated version available here for only a dollar.

Related post on justice here (SBC, Sovereign Grace, Denhollender).

[Zack Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for Biblical Justice as pertains primarily to the church and secondarily addresses the points at which justice within the church touches the civil realm. Highly recommended for pastors and parishioners who are caught in controversy and for those who wish to be well prepared to act biblically when controversy arises.

[Peter Krol · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in the last few years. It was exceptionally clear and well-grounded in Scripture. The authors cover quite a bit of ground: accusers, testimony, evidence, due process, anonymity, victims, persecutors, scandal, sex abuse, etc.

My only complaint is that I wish it were better organized and presented. It reads almost like a compendium of blog posts that haven't yet been categorized and crafted for presentation in book format. So it will be difficult to go back and find the most pertinent information when I need it.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed book. I'm delighted it's gotten this second chance after the problems with the first edition, and I hope it is widely read. And, sheesh, for a buck for the ebook, why wouldn't you read it?

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short review won't do it justice.

Anyone who engages in civil or ecclesiastical disputes online or offline (everyone) could use the wisdom here.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. It was especially helpful with several situations we encountered in the last year or so.
A good reminder that what I think should be the outcome or the way things should be handled is not actual justice. So thankful for God's word and faithfulness. Likely a book that should be visited every couple of years as a refresher on what true biblical justice should like in various situations.

Read by Wade Stotts on Canon+ (excellent)

E-book available on Kindle (needs some serious formatting help but readable)

Als, it should not have taken me this long to read - I just kept pausing to read, reflect, and let's be honest sometimes I got lost in other books.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps the fact that upon reading the title of this book, my mind went directly to governmental law and its corresponding systems is a good indication that I needed to read this book. Wilson and Booth burn it at both ends here, tackling justice in its proper sense and the practical, day-to-day, in's-and-out's of the Christian's responsibility towards other Christians, all the way down to the last French fry. Reads easy too, which is almost always a plus.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good intro to Biblical justice. The final chapter and the ones on the internet/anonymity were the best ones.

[David Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. If you are in church leadership in any way, this is a must-read

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and helpful on so many fronts.

[Logan Thune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really solid.

[Paul Shireman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the second edition of this book, apparently the first had some editing issues and they handled that in the preface of the second edition. Nonetheless, this was a good book on the subject of biblical justice according to the word of God. It has helped me to think of things in a more nuanced way—I know that sometimes people can nuance things to death but Douglas Wilson and Randy Booth did not do that here —and this book made the proper distinctions in many of the cases/scenarios that they brought up.

One of main things that stuck out to me was that we need to be slow to act and quick to gain all the facts that we can before making a judgment and taking action, so that we are doing the right thing the right way. Often times people do not have all the facts and they make judgments that are based on gossip they heard. Unfortunately, pastors may have to deal with false accusations because sometimes they cannot reveal all of the facts that may clear up said accusation(s) because it may harm the rest of the flock. As a Pastor myself, this resonated with me and encouraged me to trust and remember that God who is the perfect and righteous judge who will make all things right in the end; this I know, but it always a good reminder.

Overall, this book is a good read and very helpful!

[Josh Cosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the mix of style - metaphors, poetry, light-hearted sarcasm - which, rather than diluting its presentation of biblical truth, work together to produce much needed richly concentrated biblical wisdom to deal with issues related to truth, justice, slander, etc across a wide range of relationships within our families, churches, schools, businesses, civil, and even virtual (internet).

What is biblical justice, and how does one **practically** execute it across those various relationships? That’s what this primer sets out to discuss.

Also, if you’re familiar with and appreciate Wilson’s writing style, this primer will not disappoint you.

[Ming Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to it as an audiobook via Canon+.

A good outline of Biblical principles concerning justice and practical applications (primarily in an ecclesiastical context), both of which I had not considered extensively or with as much comprehensive care. This book provides a Biblical framework from which to approach issues of justice, avoiding unneeded negative repercussions which will inevitably result if one goes contra Scripture, whether intentionally or not.

Good, Biblical wisdom.

[Mark Bennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like a fresh of breath air after walking out of a room where someone shook out a dusty rug. There is so much talk these days of social "justice" with little to no reference to the bible. God is creator and therefore He defines terms and puts them in proper order. Very thankful for Wilson and Booth to have the conversation that everyone should be having, but nobody is.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know how to act justly in church and get deeper into the ninth commandment, then this is the book for you.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much needed book full of pastoral wisdom born out of practical experience. The kindle book is also super cheap, so you really don't have an excuse to not read this one...

[William Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice As Biblically Defined

Excellent. Should be required reading for all high school students and then again for all college students. People need to understand this stuff.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must reading for understanding biblical justice and what passes for it today.

[En Yi WEI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review found in Amazon

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful book

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thoughtful insight on all spheres of government!

[J. J.]

Helpful and timely book. An important reminder that I can learn a lot from someone even when (especially when?) I may not walk in lockstep with them in every regard.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of a great deal of wisdom. I found the section on internet justice especially helpful.

Liked it.