[Greek] κρίσις (krisis), [Latin] crisis, [Latin] iudicium, [Latin] delinquentia : judgment, justice, evaluation, consideration, testing, process of distinguishing and selecting, authority to judge, decision; 48 scriptural references
Jesus in Herod’s court: painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1310 AD)
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term is widely used in various contexts in the Hellenistic era. Such examples include separating, distinguishing, consideration, decision, judgment, respecting, referring, choice, election, interpretation, judgment in a court (result), condemnation, trials of skill (or strength), disputes, issues, and a turning point of a disease.
The First Hippocratic Aphorism: This sums up what medicine is all about, containing three references to time: the brevity of human life, the right time for intervention, and the difficulty of the doctor’s judgment (krisis). The point in a disease’s progression is when either the illness begins to triumph and when the patient begins to succumb to death. After a crisis, the relapse might follow, leading to another crisis.
Old Testament: This term, occurring quite frequently, carries the sense of rights (of the oppressed) and judgment. Such examples include judging, decisions, decrees, justice, accusations, and separating. Judging and decision making are illustrated individual, jointly (tribunals), and divinely (by God). Pertaining to judgment, neglect and indifference may apply. Judgment may often entail a sense of separation, consequence, or condemnation. In rendering judgment, do not consider who a person is; give ear to the lowly and to the great alike (Deut.1:17). When men have a dispute and bring it to court, and a decision is handed down to them acquitting the innocent party and condemning the guilty party (Deut.25:1). That is your sentence. You have decided it yourself (1Kgs.20:40). You shall not deny one of your needy fellow men his rights in his lawsuit (Exo.23:6). These are the rules you shall lay before them (Exo.21:1). It was completed in all particulars, exactly according to plan (1Kgs.6:38). The priests shall have a right to the following things from the people (Deut.18:3).
New Testament: This term occurs quite frequently in both Matthew’s gospel and John’s gospel. However, this term occurs rarely in Paul’s books. Examples include legal decisions, authority to judge, verdicts, condemnation, lawsuits, and judgment. Judgement, mostly of a penal nature, may be human or divine. Human application of judgment often becomes incomplete or lacking. Jesus is given the authority from the Father to give out (administer) judgment. Jesus, denied by human judgment, goes to the cross. Human sinful actions may often lead to judgment, recrimination, or condemnation.
Notable scriptural examples:
Mt.10:15: Those towns, who will not receive or listen to the disciples’ words, will receive more condemnation (judgment) than what Sodom and Gomorrah received.
Mt.12:18: Jesus will proclaim justice to the Gentiles (from Isa. 42.1-4 prophecy).
Mt.12:36: On the day of judgment, we will be judged for every careless word we speak.
Mk.3:29: Those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
Jn.3:19: Jesus comes into the world to save it, but His coming also provokes judgment.
Jn.7:24: We must judge justly, but not according to the flesh.
Jn.16:8: Jesus must leave so that the Holy Spirit can judge.
Jas.2:13: Merciful judgment is shown only to those who have been merciful.
Etymology: This term derives from the Greek verb krinein, meaning to decide, to judge, and to separate. Essentially, this term pertains to a decisive moment or turning point. Originally, this term pertained to a turning point in the progression of a disease. After the 17th century, this term takes on a figurative meaning for an important or decisive stage in the process of something. In 1620 Torschlusspanik, a German term for “mid-life crisis”, literally means “shut door panic,” the fear of being on the wrong side a closing gate. Hypocrisy is an intentional effort of pretense. A hypocrite hides under (hypo-) a “mask” and plays a part like an actor on the stage.
Does a nation have a right to control its borders?
Yes. A country, without control over its borders, has no borders at all.
What does Pope Francis say about this?
“Can borders be controlled? Yes, each country has a right to control its borders, who enters and who leaves, and countries that are in danger–of terrorism or the like–have more right to control them more…” (Interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais on Jan. 17, 2017)
What does Pope John Paul II say about a nation?
“The term ‘nation’ designates a community based in a given territory and distinguished by its culture. Catholic social doctrine holds that the family and the nation are both natural societies, not the product of mere invention.” (From John Paul II’s final book Memory and Identity)
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about the common good of a nation?
Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obeys its laws and assist in carrying civic burdens. (CCC 2241).
What does the Catechism of the Catholic church say about the right of migration?
“The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin.” (CCC 2241)
What does Pope John Paul II say about a country’s obligation to accept immigrants?
“These are the right to have one’s own country; to live freely in one’s own country’ to live together with one family’ to have access to the goods necessary for a dignified life; to preserve and develop one’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage; to be recognized and treated in all circumstances according to one’s dignity as a human being. The exercise of such a right [that is, the right to immigrated to a particular country] is to be regulated, because practicing it indiscriminately may do harm and be detrimental to the common good the community that receives the migrant.” (John Paul II’s Message for the 87th World Day of Migration 2001)
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about the immigrant already in the country?
“Public authorities should see to it that the natural right be respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.” (CCC 2241)
What does Pope John Paul II say about these immigration crises?
“The challenge is to combine the welcome due to every human being, especially when in need, with a reckoning for both the local inhabitants and the new arrivals to live a dignified and peaceful life.” (John Paul II’s Message for the World Day of Peace 2001)
Conclusion:
Crisis, critique, critical, criticize, hypocrisy, hypocrite, judicial, delinquent
I was really surprised how this term is used in various contexts and meanings. To be honest, I would have never considered that this term is directly related to judgment. I also wouldn’t have associated crisis with judgment. Hippocrates aptly illustrates the point in time when a disease overtakes (debilitates) a sick person, leading to his death. This point becomes a medical crisis.
Now understanding how this term relates to judgment, I am not surprised that this term occurs quite frequently in the Old Testament. It makes sense that judgment is often administered by God, tribunals, or by individuals.
This term is used quite frequently in the New Testament. It then follows that Jesus continues to administer judgment, justice, and mercy. Some will receive certain judgment due to their failure or neglect in providing mercy and justice. I was struck by Mt.10:15 closely equating judgment for not receiving or listening to one’s words to the judgement given at Sodom and Gomorrah. Two scriptural passages mention the words, “Amen, amen, I say to you”…. These words by Jesus indicate that He will soon say something very, very important. It is important to remember that a sin against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. Jesus’ coming can bring redemption or condemnation.
Crisis at the border: Unfortunately, we are at the point where we now are having a crisis (turning point) at the border in terms of illegal immigration. Illegals now feel emboldened and encouraged to cross the border. We must stop this hemorrhaging. So let me “circle back” (words from Ms. Psaki) and say that this new administration’s reckless, capricious (overturning Trump’s policies), and destructive policies are causing these problems. Let’s not pretend otherwise!
One can say that this is a very critical term.