by Thomas Scarborough

The Dawn Rowan saga is the story of an Australian woman, a great social pioneer, unjustly defamed by the state. She sued. Despite daunting opposition, she won — with a strong judgement in her favour. This having been said, the Commonwealth then sued for the costs of its failed defence. Now Dawn Rowan almost certainly faces financial ruin. The full story is on the Dawn Rowan blog at http://dawnrowansaga.blogspot.com/.

The common Western notion of justice is that one should simply pursue it. In the words of Miroslav Volf, one should engage in “active opposition to … the kingdom of deception and oppression”. Or Andrew Davey: “Issues of justice and human rights must be tackled.”

But is it really that simple?

I myself faced a similar situation to that of Dawn Rowan. I am a minister in Africa. I was falsely charged with a serious crime on the highest authority — because I had involved myself in issues of justice and truth which threatened persons in powerful office. Life as I knew it could have been over. The saga involved a year of threats, interrogation, stonewalling, subterfuge, and many precarious and highly charged meetings. But ultimately, the charges against me completely evaporated. I, in return, gave a promise of silence to authorities.

I believe that the Dawn Rowan saga raises issues which go to the heart of what we believe about justice. In this article, I might well go against prevailing beliefs in the West. Yet, at the same time, I believe I would be reflecting the prevailing beliefs of a large part of the Third World. I would have five “deconstructionist” questions to ask of the Dawn Rowan saga:

Question 1. Is the pursuit of justice workable?

“If you’re an Australian,” states the Dawn Rowan blog, “you might naively believe that you live in a country committed in its legal and political institutions to fairness and justice.” The implication is that a belief in the pursuit of justice, even in Australia, is naive. The implication, further, is that it might be worse in other parts of the world. Dawn Rowan stated on Channel Seven: “I don’t believe there is any possibility … of getting any justice.” If true, then what remains to be done with injustice? Is the common notion of simply pursuing justice mistaken? Or is it mistaken in some parts of the world? If so, what is the alternative?

Question 2. Is justice merely a surface phenomenon?

Naomi Wolf states on the Dawn Rowan blog: “It is very difficult and arduous to create and sustain a democracy — but history shows that closing one down is much simpler.” The implication is that injustice thrives where the background conditions support it. Conversely, justice thrives only where background conditions sustain it. The prophet Habakkuk apparently had such background conditions in mind when he wrote: “Justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous.” (Hab. 1:4). Dawn Rowan herself considers: “Anyone who doesn’t believe in conspiracies in high places is being simply irresponsible.” Is it not possible that individuals who would seek justice — Dawn Rowan would seem a prime example — should be swept away in a flood that overwhelms them? What then?

Question 3. Does the pursuit of justice itself create evil?

The Dawn Rowan blog is replete with examples of the pursuit of justice which itself generates injustice. While Dawn Rowan’s original battle was won, the spin-off of evil would seem to over-shadow it by far. Dawn Rowan herself considers: “There’s been many, many people injured by this .” Her challenge unleashed a “tyrannous situation” — “21 years of torture”. There was a massive squandering of public funds, “documents and notes went missing on a wide scale”, across various departments — and finally, to mention but a few examples, the government enforced bankruptcy. This marshalled a great many people in the pursuit of an unjust cause. Did the evil generated by the pursuit for justice not far outweigh the good that might have been achieved?

Question 4. Does not the pursuit of justice destroy much good?

It is clear from the Dawn Rowan saga that the consequences of opposing injustice may paralyse the person who seeks it. A just and well-intentioned person may be hog-tied by evil people — if not (if you believe the same) by Satan himself. They may be seriously diverted from a fruitful ministry — if not from an entire life’s calling. Dawn Rowan herself states that her quest for justice “has pretty much destroyed … my capacity to contribute”. The shelter movement which she championed completely collapsed. Not only this, but Dawn Rowan has troublingly referred again and again to suicide. A quote from the Dawn Rowan blog: “If I knew then what I know now — I would have … commit[ed] suicide …”

Question 5. Does the confrontation of evil change hearts?

Perversely, accusations of injustice — call it sin — would appear to lead, in most cases, to a hardening of the heart. Does the pursuit of justice lead people to repentance and faith? Does it lead the sinner to that point of contrition at which true transformation begins? One of the key figures in the saga, within three or four days that he was first challenged by Dawn Rowan, announced in parliament that he would establish an ‘independent’ review. It was this review which led to the downward spiral that we know today. Dawn Rowan herself considers: “Anyone who doesn’t believe in conspiracies in high places is being simply irresponsible.” The Law — the biblical Law — it would seem, will lead either to contrition, or to rebellion or concealment or wilful self-righteousness. More often than not, it would seem to be the latter.

What might be the answer?

I myself, at the end of the day — facing serious false charges pushed by powerful persons — did not follow the Dawn Rowan route, and today still feel myself obligated to silence. I hired a noted Church consultant. He had served as a psychologist for the state, and was well aware of conditions in Africa. He told me: “The American Civil War was won through Union soldiers lying down in the wheat fields”. I took the point. I needed to do everything I could to get off the radar map, and to continue with a productive ministry.

I believe that one may need to adopt the attitude of the prophet Amos: “Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.” (Amos 5:13). Christ said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). Sometimes, I think, people underestimate the evil of the times. The apostle John said that “the whole world lies in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). A servant of Christ needs to “live to play another day”. The calling is a spiritual one. One needs to walk and witness gently, wisely, and patiently. This does not mean the abdication of responsibility. One can be a strong support to those who decide to tackle issues of justice themselves — and of course one should keep open the possibility of a call to be prophetic.

Following my own struggles with justice — and injustice — I believe that justice is far larger than the technical “justitia”, as Miroslav Volf describes it. I consider that there is the justice of God, which guarantees that, after a lifetime of faith and trust in Him, His sovereign plan for me — in fact, for the world — will be completely just.

Dawn Rowan, I salute you — for your clear vision, and courageous heart. May God be with you, and revive you, and spread a table before you in the presence of your enemies. __________________

Thomas Scarborough is a minister in central Cape Town. He is registered as a postgraduate student at Fuller Theological Seminary and at the South African Theological Seminary (SATS). He maintains an urban ministry blog at http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/