Rushdoony on "Justification by Indictment"

[Taylor]

Rousas John Rushdoony says:

"Men justify themselves by indicting the sins of others, the sins of society, of other Christians, of blacks, whites, or other races, of husband, wife, or parents, and so on. The sins of others are enormously interesting to us: we measure ourselves against others and glow with self-righteousness."

R. J. Rushdoony, Systematic Theology (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1994), 1:647​

In a society where it is increasingly popular to virtue signal by way of indictment of others—especially those of the past who are not alive to defend themselves—this quote is particularly relevant. It is not that others' sins do not ever need to be pointed out, but we must really guard ourselves to ensure that, in our calling out others' sins, we are not in reality seeking our own self-justification by means of comparison.

Our justification comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[A.Joseph]

That's very good. I too must keep that sentiment in view. Its hard when we live in confusing times but not eveything must be critiqued. It can get the focus off the immdiate things right under our nose that needs careful and prayerful tending to. I can get so distracted and easily self justified. Thank you for sharing that!

Rousas John Rushdoony says:

"Men justify themselves by indicting the sins of others, the sins of society, of other Christians, of blacks, whites, or other races, of husband, wife, or parents, and so on. The sins of others are enormously interesting to us: we measure ourselves against others and glow with self-righteousness."

R. J. Rushdoony, Systematic Theology (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1994), 1:647​

In a society where it is increasingly popular to virtue signal by way of indictment of others—especially those of the past who are not alive to defend themselves—this quote is particularly relevant. It is not that others' sins do not ever need to be pointed out, but we must really guard ourselves to ensure that, in our calling out others' sins, we are not in reality seeking our own self-justification by means of comparison.

Our justification comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.[/QUOTThat