The answer usually breaks down into two camps: Those who believe the problem is the system, and those who believe the problem is the individual. If we throw politics into the mix, the Democratic response is usually to reform the system, and the Republican response is usually to reform the individual. But if we think Biblically, the answer is that both need reforming. Systems and individuals live in a symbiotic, cyclical relationship, where individuals shape systems, and then individuals are shaped by systems. 

Every so often, atrocities rise to the level of global attention in a way that triggers and disturbs our conscience, and evokes a collective outcry of “No! This isn’t right! This needs to stop.” These instances are sadly rare, not in the sense that the atrocities are rare—they are not—but rare in the sense that we as human beings and societies seldom have the moral sense and courage to decry patently wrong behaviors with a unified voice. In the aftermath of moral outrage, the question which always follows is: “How do we fix this? What problems should we address?”

The answer usually breaks down into two camps: Those who believe the problem is the system, and those who believe the problem is the individual. If we throw politics into the mix, the Democratic response is usually to reform the system, and the Republican response is usually to reform the individual. But if we think Biblically, the answer is that both need reforming. Systems and individuals live in a symbiotic, cyclical relationship, where individuals shape systems, and then individuals are shaped by systems. Part of the sad injustice of this is that often the individuals most negatively impacted by a system have the least voice in altering the shape of that system.

True justice and righteousness requires good individuals (especially those in power) and good systems. That’s why the most upstanding individual can be spit out of a corrupt system, and we find “paper democracies” which look beautifully egalitarian in principle, while harboring the grossest abusers. To take the ready example of racism, we cannot hope that better teaching, training, and vetting of individuals in positions of authority, apart from systems of accountability, will diminish oppression. On the other hand, we cannot believe that perfect institutional equity (system) will change a racist heart or an attitude of superiority or fear.

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