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The Concept of Divine Justice in Classical and Contemporary Theology

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DOI: 10.18535/sshj.v9i07.1916· Pages: 8497-8506· Vol. 9, No. 07, (2025)· Published: July 11, 2025
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Abstract

The idea of divine justice has shaped religious thought for centuries, offering a way to understand how God deals with right and wrong. In classical theology, scholars like Augustine, Aquinas, Al-Ghazālī, and Maimonides viewed justice as a fixed moral order where God rewards good and punishes evil according to divine wisdom. Today, however, many theologians are rethinking this concept. The aim of this study is to explore how divine justice has been understood in both classical and modern theology, and how those views respond to issues like human suffering, inequality, and pluralism. Using a qualitative and comparative method, the study examines key religious texts and interpretations across time. The findings show a clear shift: while earlier views focused on law, order, and retribution, contemporary theology emphasizes love, mercy, and justice as relational and transformative especially for the marginalized. This change reflects a growing concern with real-world suffering and social injustice. The study recommends bridging classical and modern views to form a more compassionate, responsive understanding of divine justice. It also encourages dialogue between different faiths and ethical traditions to help theology speak more clearly and meaningfully to today’s complex world.

Keywords

Divine JusticeTheologyClassical TheologyModern TheologyLiberation Ethics

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Author details
Md. Arif Hossen
Department of Business Administration, Royal University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
✉ Corresponding Author
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Dr. Mostafa Kabir Siddiqui
Department of Islamic Studies, Uttara University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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