Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian Theology
Category 2: Divine Attributes vs. Human Limitations
1. Introduction
Scripture consistently proclaims that God is a just judge, upholding righteousness and punishing sin (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 7:11). Yet it also declares that He is merciful, pardoning the guilty and offering forgiveness to the undeserving (Exodus 34:6–7; Micah 7:18). This raises a central theological paradox: How can a perfectly just God also be infinitely merciful without compromising either attribute?
2. God Is Just
2.1 Scriptural Foundations
- “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.” – Psalm 89:14
- “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” – Genesis 18:25
- “The LORD is righteous in all his ways.” – Psalm 145:17
- “He will by no means clear the guilty.” – Exodus 34:7
2.2 Theological Implications
- God’s justice requires that sin be punished and righteousness upheld.
- His law reflects His unchanging moral character; to ignore sin would violate His own nature.
3. God Is Merciful
3.1 Scriptural Witness
- “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” – Exodus 34:6
- “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.” – Psalm 103:10
- “With the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.” – Psalm 130:7
- “He delights in mercy.” – Micah 7:18
3.2 Theological Meaning
- Mercy involves withholding deserved punishment and showing kindness to those in need.
- God’s mercy is not sentimental but is always consistent with His covenantal love and redemptive plan.
4. The Paradox in Full View
- If God is truly just, sin must be punished.
- If God is truly merciful, sinners may go unpunished.
- How can both be simultaneously true?
5. The Cross: Resolution Through Substitution
- The resolution of this paradox is found in the atonement of Christ:
“To declare His righteousness… that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” – Romans 3:26
- At the cross, justice was satisfied by punishing sin in Christ, while mercy was extended to all who believe.
- The penalty was not ignored, but borne by a substitute (Isaiah 53:5–6).
6. Clarifying the Paradox
| Divine Attribute | Apparent Contradiction |
|---|---|
| God is perfectly just | Yet forgives the guilty |
| God punishes sin | Yet pardons sinners through grace |
| God requires righteousness | Yet gives it freely to the unworthy |
Resolution: God’s justice and mercy converge at the cross—justice executed, mercy extended—upholding both holiness and love without contradiction.
7. Devotional and Doctrinal Implications
7.1 Assurance in Judgment
- Believers can trust that no injustice exists with God, even in mercy.
- The Gospel does not overlook sin but pays its full price.
7.2 Model for Human Ethics
- Christians are called to balance justice and mercy, reflecting God’s own character (Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23).
7.3 Worship and Gratitude
- Recognising the cost of mercy deepens worship, as believers marvel at the righteousness that justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5).
8. Conclusion
The paradox that God is just, yet shows mercy is not a contradiction but a testimony to the depth of divine wisdom. Through the cross, the Judge becomes the Justifier, and the sinner becomes the saint—not because justice is ignored, but because mercy flows through judgment already borne. It is this truth that upholds the glory of the Gospel and secures the hope of sinners.
References
- The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
- Calvin, J. Institutes of the Christian Religion
- Stott, J. The Cross of Christ
- Packer, J.I. Knowing God
- Bavinck, H. Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 3
- Schreiner, T. Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification