God calls all to the community of love and thus to justice as general emancipation. Assuming that this assertion is both appropriately Christian and credible, this chapter seeks to illustrate its importance for specific political issues. I have chosen three current issues in American public life: abortion, affirmative action, and economic distribution. Together, they allow us to review the twofold character of justice in the community of love. The discussion of abortion is focused on the relevance of a democratic constitution and thus the formative rights of “we the people.” Attention to the affirmative action debate exemplifies why the distinction between constitutional and substantive principles of justice is important. The assessment of economic distribution reasserts especially the substantive imperative to maximize the general conditions of creativity to which all have equal access.

In each case, as will be apparent, I have particular opinions about specific political directions Christian commitment commends. But these opinions also depend, increasingly so as we proceed through the three issues, on judgments regarding particular circumstances. Insofar, then, my conclusions cannot be derived solely from the principles of justice implied by Christian belief. Those who agree religiously might contest my readings of the relevant circumstances and, thereby, reach divergent political opinions. These discussions, moreover, do not adequately defend the more particular judgments involved. Hence, it may be useful to stress that the principal aim of this chapter is not to argue for specific political prescriptions.