Freedom From Judgemental Attitudes Biblically

Freedom from Judgemental Attitudes Biblically

The biblical concept of freedom from judgemental attitudes is rooted in Jesus' teachings, particularly in Luke 6:37, where He instructs His followers not to judge or condemn others, promising that they will not be judged or condemned in return ^[1]. This principle is further reinforced by Jesus' statement in John 8:15, "You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one" ^[4]. The biblical emphasis is on refraining from judgement, not because humans are incapable of discerning right from wrong, but because judgement is God's prerogative.

The Psalms often appeal to God's judgement, highlighting the distinction between human and divine judgement. For instance, Psalms 75:2 states, "When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly" ^[2]. This underscores God's role as the ultimate judge, emphasizing that human judgement should be exercised with caution and humility. Similarly, Psalms 17:2 (LITV) says, "Let my judgment go out from Your face; Your eyes see uprightly" ^[5], indicating a desire for God's perspective in judgement.

The New Testament epistles also address the issue of judgement. The Apostle Paul's writings, as seen in the context of Romans 14:13, caution against judging one another, emphasizing that judgement belongs to God ^[10]. This is echoed in the Patristic tradition, where Augustine is noted to have discussed the dangers of rash judgement, emphasizing the need for a pure and guileless heart in our interactions with others ^[8].

The concept of Christian liberty is closely tied to the idea of freedom from judgemental attitudes. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, Christian liberty is conferred by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and includes freedom from the law, sin, and corruption ^[6]. This liberty is not a license for malice or sin but is to be exercised in the service of Christ. As I Peter 2:16 (Darby) puts it, believers are to be "as free, and not as having liberty as a cloak of malice, but as God's bondmen" ^[3].

The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, emphasizes that Christian liberty is not about external freedom from laws or magistrates but about being free from sin and its consequences through Christ ^[11]. Calvin notes that true liberty is found in Christ alone and is not dependent on external circumstances.

The Jewish (Rabbinic) tradition, as seen in the Mishnah, also discusses the importance of refraining from judgement. Rabbi Ishmael is quoted as saying that one who refrains from judgement rids himself of enmity, robbery, and false swearing, while one whose heart is presumptuous in giving a judicial decision is considered foolish, wicked, and arrogant ^[9].

In the context of Christian living, freedom from judgemental attitudes means living in a way that does not condemn others but instead seeks to promote their spiritual well-being. As Adam Clarke comments on Romans 14:13, believers should not put stumbling blocks in each other's way but rather labor to promote each other's spiritual interests ^[10].

The biblical and theological traditions converge on the importance of humility and charity in judgement. The emphasis is on avoiding rash judgement and instead fostering an environment of love and understanding. As Charles Hodge notes, the rules laid down by the Scriptures include not pronouncing that to be sinful which God does not forbid and not using Christian liberty in a way that causes others to sin ^[7].

Ultimately, the biblical concept of freedom from judgemental attitudes is about trusting in God's sovereignty and judgement while living out Christian liberty in a manner that is characterized by love, humility, and a commitment to not causing others to stumble.

The historical and theological development of this concept underscores its significance across various Christian traditions. From the Patristic era to the Reformed and Methodist/Wesleyan traditions, the emphasis on avoiding judgemental attitudes and living in Christian liberty remains a consistent theme.

Sources

Luke “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free. -- Luke 6:37”
Psalms “When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly. -- Psalms 75:2”
I Peter “I Peter 2:16 (Darby) — as free, and not as having liberty as a cloak of malice, but asGod's bondmen.”
John “You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. -- John 8:15”
Psalms “Psalms 17:2 (LITV) — Let my judgment go out from Your face; Your eyes see uprightly.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberty, Christian — Foretold -- Isa 42:7; 61:1. Conferred By God. -- Col 1:13. By Christ. -- Ga 4:3-5; 5:1. By the Holy Spirit. -- Ro 8:15; 2Co 3:17. Through the gospel. -- Joh 8:32. Confirmed by Christ -- Joh 8:36. Proclaimed by Christ -- Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18. The service of Christ is -- 1Co 7:22. Is freedom from The law. -- Ro 7:6; 8:2. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The fear of death. -- Heb 2:15. Sin. -- Ro 6:7,18. Corruption. -- Ro 8:21. Bondage of man. -- 1Co 9:19. Jewish ordinances. -- Ga 4:3; Col 2:20. Called the glorious liberty of the children of God -- Ro”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 39: of indifference, but in causing others to offend. The rules which the Scriptures clearly lay down on this subject are: (1.) That no man or body of men has the right to pronounce that to be sinful which God does not forbid. There was no sin in being circumcised, or in eating meat, or in keeping the sacred days of the Hebrews. (2.) That it is a violation of the law of love, and therefore a sin against Christ, to make such use of our liberty as to cause others to sin. “Take heed,” says the Apostle, “lest by any means this liberty of yours be”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XIX.--63. And inasmuch as the Lord is admonishing us in this passage with respect to rash and unjust judgment,--for He wishes that whatever we do, we should do it with a heart that is single and (part 3): or wrinkle,[5] i.e. pure and guileless.”
Mishnah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishnah, Mishnah Avot 4:7: Rabbi Ishmael his son said: he who refrains himself from judgment, rids himself of enmity, robbery and false swearing; But he whose heart is presumptuous in giving a judicial decision, is foolish, wicked and arrogant.”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 14:13: Let us not, therefore, judge one another any more - Let us abandon such rash conduct; it is dangerous, it is uncharitable: judgment belongs to the Lord, and he will condemn those only who should not be acquitted. That no man put a stumbling block - Let both the converted Jew and Gentile consider that they should labor to promote each other's spiritual interests, and not be a means of hindering each other in their Christian course; or of causing them to abandon the Gospel, on which, and not on questions of rites and ceremonies, the salvation of their soul depends.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 102: two things, the nature of which is altogether different. For some, on hearing that liberty is promised in the gospel, a liberty which acknowledges no king and no magistrate among men, but looks to Christ alone, think that they can receive no benefit from their liberty so long as they see any power placed over them. Accordingly, they think that nothing will be safe until the whole world is changed into a new form, when there will be neither courts, nor laws, nor magistrates, nor anything of the kind to interfere, as they suppose, w”

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