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I don't think I've abandoned justice at all. I've repeatedly acknowledged the legitimacy of civil authority, the reality of guilt, and the fact that wrongdoing carries consequences. What I've challenged is the idea that Christians should discuss a person only in terms of guilt and punishment...

You say that Mary would have understood that the holy child had to come first by a virgin birth. But according to Luke's narrative, Gabriel does not reveal a virgin conception until after Mary asks: Prior to that question, Mary has only been told: She has not yet been told that the...

So we agree that Mary's question was not based on knowledge Gabriel had already given Her about conception by the Holy Spirit. We also agree that Mary was betrothed to Joseph and, according to your position, had every expectation of a normal marital relationship with him after the birth of...

The problem with this answer is that Luke places Mary's question before Gabriel tells Her anything about conception by the Holy Spirit. At the moment Mary asks, "How will this occur, since I know not man?", She has only been told: "You will conceive and bear a Son." She has not yet been told...

If saving her soul is important enough that you want her alive long enough to hear and receive the Gospel, then being alive clearly has value beyond merely awaiting execution. The question then becomes: why shorten the very period in which repentance and transformation can occur, when Scripture...

I think we're very close in our understanding, and I agree that we should not confuse the role of civil government with the work of salvation. I agree that Romans 13 assigns civil authorities the responsibility of restraining evil and punishing wrongdoing. I also agree that salvation comes...

Thank you for replying. But your response does not actually address the argument I presented. We already agree that Jesus was conceived virginally and by the Holy Spirit. Quoting Matthew 1 simply establishes a point that is not in dispute. The question is not whether the conception was...

I find it interesting that you say, "Our God is a warrior and we are made in His image." But what does that mean in light of Christ? When Peter drew a sword in defense of the innocent Son of God, Jesus did not praise him for using violence against the wicked. He told him: That's significant...

I think you've shifted the discussion. Originally, we were discussing justice, mercy, repentance, and how Christians should view guilty people. Now you're making a broader claim that violence solves problems. Certainly force can restrain evil. Governments, police, and armies sometimes use...

If that were all I were arguing, I'd agree there would be nothing left to discuss. But that has never been my argument. I've repeatedly acknowledged that civil authority has a legitimate role, that wrongdoing has consequences, and that repentance does not automatically remove earthly...

In John 11:2, which occurs before John 12 in the narrative, John identifies Lazarus's sister Mary as the one who: "anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair." The only anointing account recorded before John 12 in which a woman both anoints Jesus and wipes His feet with...

I think we agree on more than we disagree. I've never argued that forgiveness cancels civil authority, nor have I argued that repentance automatically removes earthly consequences. In fact, I've repeatedly acknowledged the state's authority to punish wrongdoing under Romans 13. What I've been...

I agree that repentance does not automatically remove earthly consequences, and I've never argued that it does. I also agree that civil authority has a legitimate responsibility to maintain order and protect society. My point has simply been that repentance, transformation, suffering, and the...

You're defining justice as nothing more than giving someone exactly what they deserve. Under that definition, yes, mercy and justice would be mutually exclusive. But Christianity doesn't present justice that narrowly. If justice and mercy are truly mutually exclusive, then how can God be both...

Respectfully, I think that's partly why we're talking past each other. You describe my position as "feminized," but I'm not appealing to modern feminism. I'm appealing to Christ. Christ is certainly not soft on sin. He spoke of cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye rather than being led...

I agree that Christians should desire the repentance, conversion, and salvation of sinners. Scripture is clear about that. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn and live (Ezekiel 33:11). Where I think we differ is in the conclusion drawn from that truth...

Calling the argument "Catholic" does not address the text. My argument is based on what John actually wrote in John 11:2 and how Luke regularly introduces significant figures without naming them. If my reading is wrong, explain why John identifies Lazarus's sister, Mary, as: "the one who...

Let's test that claim against Scripture with a simple 3-step exercise. 1. Assume for a moment that Mary remained a lifelong virgin. Suppose for a moment that you believed Mary remained a lifelong virgin for the same reasons I do — two of them being that God had consecrated Her for a unique...

I actually agree with much of what you've written. I've never argued that repentance automatically removes earthly consequences, nor have I argued that civil authority is illegitimate. In fact, I've repeatedly acknowledged that Romans 13 recognizes the authority of government to punish...

I don't think that's an accurate representation of my position. I'm not arguing that Christians should oppose civil authority, nor am I condemning every criminal penalty. I've repeatedly acknowledged that Scripture recognizes the legitimacy of civil government and its role in maintaining order...