Although the Scriptures approve of restraining “evil doers” (Rom 13:3-4), it is clear that limits exist in the exercise of such power. Even governments under trying circumstances must be constrained in the way they wield it. The biblical obligation of the ruler is to “do justice” (1 Kings 10:9). While there are disagreements over precisely how justice should be administered, universally agreed-upon principles should be followed: (1) The accused must have access to a full and fair court hearing to ensure he is indeed guilty. It cannot be just to imprison someone who has not committed a crime. (2) Wherever prisoners are held, they must be treated humanely. (3) It is inherently unjust for governments to target an entire religion or race because of the evil actions of a very small minority of its members.

I have good reasons to take a particularly keen interest in security. After all, I work in a building flanked by the Senate Office Buildings on one side, the U.S. Capitol Building on another, and the U.S. Supreme Court on the other, and along with my family, I live on Capitol Hill. If things go wrong, I have a lot to lose. But our interest in security cannot blind us to our dedication to justice. Indeed, justice is no enemy of security. Withholding of fair trials from those accused of crime does not protect against future attacks. Refusing to extend the protections of the Geneva Convention to those captured on the field of battle does not ensure security. And using religion or race as a proxy for suspicion is bound to fail.

It is fair to say the government’s most important role is to punish evil doers in a manner that is just. Society’s dedication to justice therefore cannot be fleeting fancy that survives only in times of peace and prosperity. Indeed, only by remaining true to these basic principles of justice can we ensure that our efforts to secure ourselves do not destroy the civilization that we are striving to protect.