Aquinas
He believed that laws should be formed through reason (rationalism http://www.theoryofknowledge.info/sources-of-knowledge/rationalism/) and for the common good. All humanity was formed in the image of God (Henderson & Fox, 2008). Therefore all of humanity both now and in the future is entitled to social justice, which includes a sustainable environment.
Plato stated, "...there will be no end to the troubles of states...until political power and philosophy...meet in the same hands".
He believed that "Just people are those that govern their emotions and appetites through reason...A unity of purpose and harmony of life characterises the ideal state." (Henderson & Fox, 2008, p. 16).
Jesus ....
Took social justice a step further expounding that it could only be achieved though sacrificial living. However sacrificial living gets miraculous results:
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't
think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all.
When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became
human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim
special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death and
the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored
him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth even those
long ago dead and buried will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ,and call out in praise that he is the
Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. Rejoicing Together (Philippians 2:5-11).
This is the Christian Theist's point of view.
Christian Theism http://gospelcenteredmusings.com/2008/12/23/my-definition-of-christian-theism/
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't
think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all.
When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became
human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim
special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death and
the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored
him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth even those
long ago dead and buried will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ,and call out in praise that he is the
Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. Rejoicing Together (Philippians 2:5-11).
This is the Christian Theist's point of view.
Christian Theism http://gospelcenteredmusings.com/2008/12/23/my-definition-of-christian-theism/