Defining "justice" only by its negative and delimiting aspects (e.g. upholding the law, punishing evildoers, restricting evil) results in a deeply deficient view of the role of governing authorities.

"Justice" according to the Bible not only has negative aspects but it also has

positive aspects. Justice is giving people what they are due as imagebearers. It is to promote flourishing and shalom. It is to make straight that which is crooked. It is to be a support and succor to the most vulnerable.

We must affirm both the negative and positive aspects of

justice for it be justice at all, biblically speaking. Half of justice is an injustice.

Therefore, when we affirm that the Bible sets a vision of justice to be upheld by governing authorities, we must realize that this includes both bearing the sword and lifting up the

oppressed. It not only assures that wrongdoers receive what they deserve, but it also assures that all people receive what their dignity deserves. Governing authorities, even in a fallen world, are held responsible if they fail to promote the thriving and flourishing of those

they govern. Read the minor prophets for myriad examples.

To be clear, governing authorities do not have redemptive or salvific functions in and of themselves. Yet at the same time, they are not simply God's institutional imprimatur on maintaining the status quo - they are held

to a high standard to which they must constantly be reforming toward. This is why the church in its mission is called to be salt and light, so that it may, by prayer and action, seek to help bend the trajectory of governing authorities toward that which is most consonant with

God's justice.