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[Otis]

Just that. Which is it?

[jimwalton]

Both. God is a God of justice, and both equity and equality have their place in a system that is truly just. Each situation has to have oversight with the proper tool. But if I had to pick one, it's probably more equity than equality.

In general, in the biblical view, justice is not about equalizing and leveling all things. Rather, more refined justice often gives to each their due in accordance with their nature, emphasizing the need for plurality as the indispensable ground in real diversity.

In a system of true justice, you have distributive justice (everyone gets what is fair: the rich and powerful don't get more and the poor get less; families of 6 get more than families of 4, etc.), retributive justice (everyone gets what they deserve), and since motive, mindset and situation play a part, mercy and grace are always part of a truly just system.

A good and responsible judge will use all of these at his or her discretion and wisdom to maintain a just society.

I'm curious what your real question is.

[Otis]

> I'm curious what your real question is.

I guess my real question can be in regards toward your personal walk towards salvation. I believe each person have their unique situations, tribulations, gifts, temptations, etc. So God works with each individual to where they can achieve their salvation. The treatment may not be fair across the board, but the outcome will be fair (of course, if the person allows God to work with them). For example, God was not as harsh on Abraham as he was towards Job, or towards Peter. But they all will receive the same reward. So this gives further credence to God partaking in equity, not equality.

Do note, though, that equity can equal equality if the recipients are starting from same point and need the same level of support. But to summarize, equality is fairness in treatment, while equity is fairness (equality) in outcome.

[jimwalton]

OK, I see where you're going with this. Thanks for the explanation.

There are situations where God deals with us in equality: "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Mt. 5.45). It's called "common grace." We all get treated the same. I don't get different weather from my neighbor. It has nothing to do with how many in the family, how good or evil we are. God has created a world with a certain equality and grace built into the system. He cares for us without distinction.

As far as salvation is concerned, there are aspects of both equality and equity. For instance, God's invisible qualities are seen in nature—available to us all in the same measure. On the other side of the coin, however, God treats us all as individuals otherwise in how He reveals Himself to us, taking our situations, personalities, gifts, temptations, etc. into account. God knows what each person needs (some need a gentle whisper, some need a smack on the head, some need a nudge and some need tragedy) to draw them to Himself. The idea is that God is drawing all people to Himself and not wanting anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3.9).

> God was not as harsh on Abraham as he was towards Job, or towards Peter.

This is somewhat correct, but God was also harsh on Abraham (2 scary famines, a war (Gn. 14), and of course the test of Isaac (Gn. 22). The NT tells us that it's really only in harsh pressure that any of us really get to the point of spiritual growth that we need to get. But it's true that that path is different for each of us.

> But they all will receive the same reward.

There are degrees of reward in heaven. A text like the parable in Luke 19.11-19 shows us that. The reward for responsibility is more responsibility. To him who has, more will be given.

Another text showing degrees of reward is Mark 10.40: some will get to sit on Jesus's right and left hand in glory.

We don't gain salvation by works, but it seems that the degree of reward we receive in heaven is based on getting an appropriate reward commensurate with what we have done (2 Cor. 5.10).

> equality is fairness in treatment, while equity is fairness (equality) in outcome.

According to one of your links (the people/children standing by the fence) to explain your concept, equity also has something to do with fairness in treatment (one gets a taller box to stand on), and it also leads to equity (they all get to see over the fence with the same ease).