I interpret Jean ValJean's story a little differently. He stole a loaf of bread because his children were starving. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, that doesn't actually constitute a sin at all. It was the 20 years of slave labor for stealing that was unconscionably unjust. During which I assume his family died. When you wound someone t…
I interpret Jean ValJean's story a little differently. He stole a loaf of bread because his children were starving. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, that doesn't actually constitute a sin at all. It was the 20 years of slave labor for stealing that was unconscionably unjust. During which I assume his family died. When you wound someone that badly, you can expect them to become hardened, bitter, angry, and lashing out at innocent bystanders. It is that wound that the bishop healed. By showing Jean kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness when wronged, he taught him how to respond to his own wrong.
That doesn't mean punishment for doing evil is a bad thing that hardens people. Unjust punishment does, just punishment does not.
I interpret Jean ValJean's story a little differently. He stole a loaf of bread because his children were starving. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, that doesn't actually constitute a sin at all. It was the 20 years of slave labor for stealing that was unconscionably unjust. During which I assume his family died. When you wound someone that badly, you can expect them to become hardened, bitter, angry, and lashing out at innocent bystanders. It is that wound that the bishop healed. By showing Jean kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness when wronged, he taught him how to respond to his own wrong.
That doesn't mean punishment for doing evil is a bad thing that hardens people. Unjust punishment does, just punishment does not.
"Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run"
so is 5 years unjust for robbery? 15 for attempted escape?
more asked in jest. I love the musical, so had to make sure that quote was in here