We as individuals do not send anyone to prison. In a nation-state model of justice (as opposed to tribal), the State is the one offended and punishing.
On one occasion, when my son went into debt, after much discussion, I paid the bill for him. He did not pay me back. Had I insisted on repayment, it would not have been forgiveness, but a business arrangement.
And if I grounded my kids, it was punishment. THEY were paying the price, not me.
You wrote:
“We as individuals do not send anyone to prison.”
We don’t, but the principle is the same.
“In a nation-state model of justice (as opposed to tribal), the State is the one offended and punishing.”
So if you beat a man within an inch of his life only God is offended? Only the state is offended? Not the beaten man?
“On one occasion, when my son went into debt, after much discussion, I paid the bill for him. He did not pay me back. Had I insisted on repayment, it would not have been forgiveness, but a business arrangement.”
Let’s say he played ball in the front yard and broke the bay window - after you told hom to not play ball in the front yard
And then you grounded him for two weeks. You forgave him shortly after you grounded him of course as any good father would. Would you still make him serve out the two weeks or not?
“And if I grounded my kids, it was punishment. THEY were paying the price, not me.”
Right. Isn’t that the point? They committed the offending act. They are now punished. And you would punish them EVEN AFTER YOU FORGAVE THEM.